A Halifax regional councillor should resign over an "offensive" remark he made about immigration, an MP says.

During a council discussion on immigration Tuesday, Steve Streatch suggested heavy immigration would "dilute" the Nova Scotia population.

Steve Streatch
Steve Streatch

"This is about the hard work that all of our forefathers have put into this country and I don't want to see that eroded by agendas that don't necessarily support our democratic approach," he said Thursday.

Streatch represents the Eastern Shore district in the Halifax Regional Municipality. He ran in the last federal election against New Democrat Peter Stoffer, who's now calling for his old rival's resignation.

"It is so offensive his remarks. He can slough it off as a political attack on him, but he should resign his council seat and apologize profusely. He should get re-educated on what immigration has done for our country," said Stoffer, whose family left Holland in the 1950s to come to Canada.

Streatch has no intention of stepping down. He says he's getting calls of support from across Nova Scotia from people who are also worried about immigration policies.

The provincial government is looking to attract more immigrants and keep them in Nova Scotia. The population is shrinking, which affects public services and the economy.