Ontario sex-ed curriculum will still teach some modern themes

Part of the material being replaced will deal with ‘developing sexual relations’

TORONTO — Ontario’s new Progressive Conservative government is sending mixed messages on its decision to teach the 1998 sex-education curriculum, which predates Google, social media and same-sex marriage.

While Education Minister Lisa Thompson reiterated the modern 2015 syllabus, opposed by social conservatives, is being scrapped, she insisted issues of consent, gender, same-sex relationships and cyber safety would still be taught this fall, even though those elements are not included in the old curriculum.

“We are going to be preparing our students and preparing them for the realities of 2018, and we’re going to be embracing what was being taught in 2014,” Thompson said Monday. At that time, students learned the 1998 curriculum, which does not address those issues.

“We will be rolling back our sex-ed focus. What we’ll be looking at is the developing sexual relations” she said. The rookie minister bolted from reporters after taking questions for less than three minutes. Four hours later, she issued a 210-word statement saying the 1998 syllabus “leaves ample space to discuss

current social issues.”

“As of today, we have made no decisions on what the new curriculum will look like. The final decision on the scope of the new curriculum will be based on what we hear from Ontario parents,” said Thompson, noting Premier Doug Ford would keep his election promise to consult on the curriculum.

Last Wednesday, she unilaterally announced “the sex-ed component is going to be reverted back to the manner in which it was prior to the changes that were introduced by the Liberal government.” That meant returning to the 20-year-old curriculum instead of the updated one covering subject matter like LGBTQ relationships, gender identity, cyberbullying and the dangers of sexting.

Since then, the Tories have been taking heat from parents, educators, community activists

and political rivals. NDP Leader Andrea Horwath blamed the fledgling government for sparking confusion.

“It’s reprehensible and irresponsible that this government has left everything in such disarray that educators in our province aren’t even aware … of what’s going to happen come September,” she said.

Horwath said that “what we need to do is make sure that the education of our youth takes priority over Mr. Ford’s favours to his social conservative friends. That’s the bottom line.” She also accused the Tory government of “flying by the seat of its pants.

With Files From Rob Ferguson Robert Benzie is the Star’s Queen’s Park bureau chief and a reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow him on Twitter: @robertbenzie Kristin Rushowy is a Toronto-based reporter covering Ontario politics. Follow her on Twitter: @krushowy