A North Vancouver councillor who was recorded saying the city was being “Jewed down” in a property tax dispute has apologized for his remarks.

Rod Clark used the derogatory slur during a council meeting Monday night while criticizing Port Metro Vancouver, which allegedly owes millions in back taxes after years of underpaying.

“They’re fighting us tooth and nail and we’re getting Jewed down completely on the taxes that are owed,” Clark said.

The councillor was quickly confronted about the comment and told to withdraw it, but Clark initially defended the offensive phrase as a “commonly-used term” that had no “religious overtone.”

He eventually agreed to rephrase his remarks.

Later in the same meeting, Clark was again asked to withdraw a comment after stating, “I say we tell Port Metro to go to hell.”

He responded by chuckling and telling the offended party, “Sure, dad.”

The North Van Council Watch blog has since called for Clark’s resignation, and the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs issued an email statement criticizing the councillor.

Centre director Darren Mackoff also said Canadians pride themselves on the fact that such terms are not “commonly-used” in their country.

“Clark’s remarks demonstrate a cultural ignorance and an extreme lack of sensitivity,” Mackoff wrote. “The use of this age old anti-Semitic rhetoric is hurtful and inappropriate.”

Clark told CTV News Tuesday night that he only used the slur in the heat of the moment, and regrets doing so.

“If I had to do it over again I certainly would take it back. Unfortunately it was a very big mistake, I can’t take it back, so I’m offering my sincerest and deep, heartfelt apologies to any and all who were offended,” he said.

Clark added that there is “no rationale or excuse” for using his words.

North Vancouver Mayor Darrell Mussatto said staff were shocked to hear the slur in council chambers, but Clark most likely will not face discipline.

“I’m hoping that we can focus on an apology from the councillor,” Mussatto said, “and that he doesn’t do that again.”

The incident echoes a similar U.S. controversy that took place last month in Oklahoma. Republican state representative Dennis Johnson was criticized for using the phrase “Jew me down on a price.”

Johnson apologized, and was not penalized.