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Wildrose leader Brian Jean apologized twice Tuesday night after making a joke about beating Premier Rachel Notley.

The comments came at a town hall forum at a Fort McMurray hotel, when local seniors advocate Joan Furber complained about the quality of seniors’ care and housing in the city during a question and answer period.

According to a local reporter at the meeting, Jean said, “I’ve been beating this drum for 10, 11 years. I will continue to beat it, I promise. But it’s against the law to beat Rachel Notley.” Tweet This

The Fort McMurray Today report said the comment elicited laughter and gasps of shock. Many Wildrose members, who are in Fort McMurray this week for caucus meetings, were at the forum. Jean then apologized for his joke, saying Notley cares about the topic and has cooperated with Jean.

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“We had some more conversations and she switched the decision the bureaucrats made in the previous government,” he is quoted as saying.

“I have to compliment that woman and I shouldn’t have said what I said because I truly admire her for that,” said Jean. “That was a very practical thing and not easily in her best interest and she could have easily just let that go like the previous government did, and she did not.”

The meeting went back to the topic at hand.

WATCH: Wildrose leader Brian Jean was being criticized heavily on social media after his comment about beating Premier Rachel Notley. Jean has since apologized for what he calls “an inappropriate attempt at humour.” Slav Kornik reports on this story.

1:33 Wildrose leader Brian Jean apologizes for comment about Premier Rachel Notley Wildrose leader Brian Jean apologizes for comment about Premier Rachel Notley

Jean later issued a second apology via email.

“Last night during my town hall I made an inappropriate attempt at humour that I promptly apologized for,” he said.

“Jokes of this nature are never acceptable, and I hold myself to a higher standard. I have reached out to Premier Notley to sincerely apologize directly to her.” Tweet This

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Alberta’s minister of status of women said, apology or not, the comments aren’t OK.

“Whether it’s serious or a joke, it’s totally out of touch with what Albertans want to see from their leaders,” Stephanie McLean said. “They want to see strong leadership and that’s just not it.”

“It’s important to apologize when you’ve made a mistake, and that’s great, but at the end of the day, these types of comments are unacceptable.”

WATCH BELOW: Tess Gordey and Mary Anne Nguyen from WIN House joined Global News Morning, where they offered their opinion on a joke made by Wildrose leader Brian Jean about beating Premier Rachel Notley. 1:33 Domestic violence advocates react to Brian Jean beating joke Domestic violence advocates react to Brian Jean beating joke

McLean was at the legislature for an event with Edmonton Olympian Jen Kish.

“It drives me nuts,” the rugby captain said. “We want the world to grow in the right direction, we want to set a good example for the younger generation, and comments like that make us go backwards.”

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READ MORE: Brian Jean blasted by Olympic medallist over Notley beating joke

Notley has been subjected to several highly publicized violent threats over the past year.

In one instance, a man made a cutout of her head on a large piece of cardboard and used as target during a golf tournament at the Brooks Golf Club earlier this summer.

WATCH: Domestic violence survivors express disgust over Wildrose Leader’s remarks

1:47 Domestic violence survivors express disgust over Wildrose Leader’s remarks Domestic violence survivors express disgust over Wildrose Leader’s remarks

A photo showing a cutout of Rachel Notley’s head being used as a golf target is making the rounds on Twitter. Global News

The move was widely condemned as tasteless, and cited an example of the vitriol and violence that female politicians are often subjected to. The man behind the target later apologized.

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READ MORE: Alberta labour group calls for police to take action on ‘toxic rhetoric’ aimed at female politicians

Notley has also been the subject of online threats on social media, but last October said that it’s part of being premier “in almost any day and age.” The threats became particularly nasty last winter, when public furor over the Bill 6 farm safety legislation prompted death threats. One comment posted online said, “someone’s gotta man up and kill her, dibs out.”

READ MORE: Farm safety bill spurs death threats against Alberta premier

Alberta RCMP said at the time they were aware of the comments but were not investigating. At that time, Jean, who was a vocal opponent of Bill 6, condemned the violent social media comments.

While Jean did apologize quickly after Tuesday’s incident, it sparked a flurry of responses on Twitter – as most controversial political comments do.

@BrianJeanWRP Violence is no joke. Unbecoming a human being, let alone party leader. You need to resign immediately! #ableg — James Toupin (@Jamestoupin) August 31, 2016

I have a feeling @BrianJeanWRP is going to have an instant headache when he takes a look at twitter… #ableg #wrp — andrew barley (@Andrewmbarley) August 31, 2016

This is utterly disgusting. Anyone that tries to defend this kind of comment needs to get their head examined #ableg https://t.co/9mwReacrwc — Bob Murray (@DrRWM) August 31, 2016

#BrianJean made a joke about physically beating the Premier at a townhall. Expect that from his alt-right base but not him. #ableg — Ann Bibby (@anniegirl1138) August 31, 2016

@BrianJeanWRP I think Notley would down you with one swift donkey kick to your one nut. — Dave Germain (@KingsmanTower) August 31, 2016

Repeat after me: joking about beating up women is not appropriate and definitely not funny. #ableg #cdnpoli https://t.co/zhmxWauuLX — Dave Cournoyer (@davecournoyer) August 31, 2016

To be fair, what Jean said isn't a crime. But it is inflammatory. And he owns anything hereafter. #ableg @janewordsmith @arundeepyeg @jsinvr — Jay Gamble (@DrJayDrNo) August 31, 2016

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Jean just went full Fildebrandt. That's disappointing. I really thought he was better than that. #AbLeg https://t.co/YOJutlytTP — Lure (@therealkuri) August 31, 2016

So, how hollow do all those Brian Jean appeals to not promote violence against Premier Notley sound now after his "beat" comments? #ableg — Arün Smith (@arun_smith) August 31, 2016

The sad part of this is that it doesn't seem out of character for @BrianJeanWRP and the WRP. wonder what the jokes said in private are like. — Dani Paradis (@DaniParadis) August 31, 2016

.@BrianJeanWRP shouldn't have to apologize for "joking" about beating the Premier BECAUSE HE SHOULD NEVER HAVE SAID IT TO BEGIN WITH #ableg — Ryan S. (@wrythink) August 31, 2016

God, I'm so tired of the casual misogyny, homophobia, bigotry, and willful ignorance that seems to typify the right in Alberta. #ableg — Robin (@diesellibrarian) August 31, 2016

I leave the country & next thing you know the #WRP leader is joking about beating the Premier. You never fail to disappoint, 'Berta. #ableg — Janice (@YEGlifer) August 31, 2016

Will @Dfildebrandt wake up in the morning and tell #ableg to try brunch again over this 'faux outrage' about @BrianJeanWRP comment? Curious. — Kyle Bourke (@KyleBourke87) August 31, 2016

Remember when Nenshi asked Ezra if he beat his wife and we went apeshit for weeks? This is nothing like that. #ableg pic.twitter.com/vg2TMMAHmy — Not Really Sheila (@NotReallySheila) August 31, 2016

Stupid quip from @BrianJeanWRP? Yes. Worthy of outrage? No. I disagree w him on many things, but he's not *that* kind of person. #ableg — Alheli Picazo (@a_picazo) August 31, 2016

And stop acting as if @BrianJeanWRP condones beating women or thinks violence against women is funny. Just stop. #ableg — Alheli Picazo (@a_picazo) August 31, 2016

If you are new to #SocialMedia & want to better understand the power of a #hashtag, just follow #ableg — Kristi Hammond (@memoryandstory) August 31, 2016

One user from B.C. posted a series of tweets defending Notley, drawing up previous examples of hatred directed towards the premier.

Before this gets too the "We are being too sensitive" portion of the debate, let's remember something #ableg https://t.co/rkIlEQ4T1W — Kevin Olenick (@kevole) August 31, 2016

Earlier this year, there was a golf tournament where people were running over a cardboard cut out of Rachel Notley. #ableg #wrp — Kevin Olenick (@kevole) August 31, 2016

There have been numerous public death threats and name calling towards Rachel Notley. Specifically on Brian Jean's FB page. #ableg — Kevin Olenick (@kevole) August 31, 2016

On at least two occasions in 2016, Brian Jean had to reprimand MLA's for out of line comments. One was suspended by Jean.#ableg #wrp — Kevin Olenick (@kevole) August 31, 2016

So when you are seeing that an apology is not enough from Brian Jean, it's very understandable. People are tired of this. #ableg #wrp — Kevin Olenick (@kevole) August 31, 2016

Living in B.C, yes Christy Clark takes her share of criticism. But, no where near the personal and ugly abuse Notley takes #ableg #wrp — Kevin Olenick (@kevole) August 31, 2016

More to come…