TORONTO — A recent men-only, fine-wine and grappa-tasting fundraiser for an addiction centre north of Toronto that was attended by some prominent Liberals, powerful businessmen and a senior police official has attracted some criticism.
Richard Lorello and his friend Tracey Kent, both from Vaughan, Ont., say they stood outside snapping photographs as dozens of men strolled into Avenue restaurant on Oct. 22.
The $1,000-per-ticket fundraiser, billed as a "Gentlemen's Gala Event," was to raise money for Vitanova Foundation, a non-profit mental health treatment facility for alcohol, drug and gambling addicts.
"If you're going to raise money for an addiction centre, why are you involving alcohol?" said Lorello, a former Conservative executive in the riding's association.
Kent echoed Lorello's sentiments and took umbrage with the fact women weren't invited to the event.
"Unfortunately, Vaughan has a reputation and hasn't quite entered into the next century yet," said Kent, a former member of the Conservative riding association in the area.
"There's a lot of the kind of stag mentality where I live. I think it's awful."
The fundraiser was organized by Chris Zeppa, owner of City Park Homes, a residential and condominium builder in the Toronto area.
Majestic Wines, one of the night's sponsors, promised the event would be filled with "laughter, fine wine, and delectable dishes!"
Stand-up comedian Nick Di Paolo, who was nominated for two Emmys for writing for "The Chris Rock Show" and had bit parts in "Louie" and "The Sopranos," was billed on the ticket as the prime entertainment for the evening.
Newly minted Liberal MP Francesco Sorbara attended the event, as did Ontario's Transportation Minister Steven Del Duca. Both Sorbara and Del Duca refused to be interviewed by The Canadian Press, but sent brief comments by email.
"I attend many events in support of charities in my community and I am proud to support Vitanova and the important work they do within York Region," wrote Sorbara.
Del Duca wrote that he has long been a supporter of Vitanova and was at one point a volunteer on its board of directors.
$1000/ticket men-only event for alcohol addiction centre headed by Vaughan Councillor had fine wine/whiskey tasting pic.twitter.com/W4bG34bBHV
— Richard Lorello (@richardlorello) October 23, 2015
"At this event, I was glad to see the organizers provided a service to ensure that individuals who chose to drink alcohol would be taken home safely," Del Duca wrote.
"I look forward to continuing to support Vitanova and a wide variety of other worthwhile charitable organizations in my community."
When asked to comment about the appropriateness of elected politicians attending men-only events, or about criticism of alcohol being served at a fundraiser for an addiction centre, Premier Kathleen Wynne's office said she had no comment.
Kent and Lorello said their criticism has nothing to do with partisan politics and both say they are now Liberal supporters — but not members of any party.
Deb Schulte, the new Liberal MP for the King-Vaughan riding where the fundraiser took place, said she wasn't invited to the fundraiser, but she wasn't upset about it.
"It's not that unusual for Woodbridge to have men-only events," she said.
"Does it bother me? I think, really, it's not out of the ordinary for this area and just leave it at that," said Schulte.
"Honestly there are women-only events, men-only events and I'll leave it up to the organizers to decide what they think is appropriate. I think there are comments to be made, but I don't think I'm in the position to be making any comments at this point."
Franca Damiani Carella, who started Vitanova Foundation in 1987, said the centre has 28 beds for its men-only residential program and treats about 100 men and women daily in its day program. The mental health facility is free to patients, she said, and she relies on both public and private funds to operate the charity.
Carella has no problem with the nature of the fundraiser, even though she couldn't attend. She said last year's event raised $60,000 for Vitanova.
"Without it we would have trouble keeping the doors open," she said.
"The just-for-men party does not mean you discriminate against women. I go to fundraisers that are just for women."
