Ontario’s minister for the status of women is taking Progressive Conservative Leader Patrick Brown to task for appearing in a luncheon speaker series arranged by the men-only Cambridge Club.

Although his speech Wednesday on the province’s “affordability crisis” will take place at the related Toronto Athletic Club, which accepts female members, Brown is still sending the wrong signal, said Indira Naidoo-Harris.

“He’s going to give a speech through a group that doesn’t count women in... so he’s sending a very strong message that, in terms of how he regards Ontarians, he’s fine leaving women out,” Naidoo-Harris told reporters.

Conservatives defended Brown’s appearance, insisting there is nothing amiss because the speech is open to anyone who wants to attend and can afford the $40 ticket price.

“Patrick Brown’s not speaking at the Cambridge Club to a men’s-only event,” Deputy Leader Steve Clark told reporters after the legislature’s daily question period.

Brown was not available for comment.

Officials at the Cambridge Club, which also owns the Toronto Athletic Club, did not return a call seeking comment.

“I think it’s not OK for him to attend an event at the Cambridge Club, but he’s not attending an event at the Cambridge Club... all are welcome at that event. That’s the most important part of the event,” Clark added.

Naidoo-Harris said the fact that women are allowed at the luncheon speech “doesn’t change the fact that he’s going through the Cambridge Club, which is essentially a club that leaves women out.”

“I think it shows a lack of judgment.”

Conservatives noted that Olivia Chow spoke to the Cambridge Club during her campaign for mayor in 2014.

Former federal finance minister Joe Oliver cancelled a speech at the club in August 2015 during the last national election campaign after the event was widely criticized because the venue was men only.

The club’s website boasts “it’s the place for Toronto’s top executives to play, sweat and rejuvenate” and adds “the Cambridge Club delivers the services gentlemen require in the refined surroundings they deserve.”

“As day turns to evening and conversation fills the air, a round of competitive backgammon or whisky-tasting might be in order.”

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The disagreement comes several days after Conservative MPP Randy Pettapiece apologized for saying a female engineer appearing before a legislative committee hearing should turn her expertise to fixing the bad coffee.

Last spring, Conservative MPP Jack MacLaren was forced by Brown to take sensitivity training after he made crude remarks about a female Liberal MP.

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