The sex ed curriculum being taught inside Ontario schools may not be identical to lessons that began in 1998.
Last week we heard course outlines would be rolled back 20 years while parents were consulted on what they'd like to see introduced and axed.
Today, Education Minister Lisa Thompson said that gender differences, same-sex marriage, and cyber-safety would be included in sex education. "We are going to be preparing our students and supporting them for the realities of 2018.
She argues this isn't her government's way of retreating in the face of criticism. "I, actually, was very clear last week when I said we needed to prepare our students for the reality of 2018."
She says the PCs still plan on following through with a campaign promise to review and consult on the sex ed component of the curriculum. "What we will be looking at is the developing sexual relations."
There was no explanation on what that means, exactly.
Hours after the media scrum, Thompson issued a statement saying no decisions have been made on what the curriculum will include.
Statement from Minister of Education Lisa Thompson on future consultations for Ontario’s sex-ed curriculum
"During the recent election campaign we made a clear promise to replace the entirety of Ontario’s current sex-ed curriculum with an age-appropriate one that is based on real consultation with parents.
"When Ontario voters chose their new government, they did so knowing that this was our intended course of action.
"Throughout this process, our commitment to Ontario parents has remained unwavering.
"We will be engaging in a thorough end-to-end consultation with parents over the coming months. Preparations are already underway with consultations scheduled to begin in the fall.
"This will be one of most robust consultation processes in the history of Ontario’s education system and all parents, of all points of view, will be invited to participate over the coming months. Parents will tell us what matters to them.
"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.
"While these consultations occur, we are reverting to the full health and physical education curriculum that was last taught in 2014. This curriculum leaves ample space to discuss current social issues.
"Our goal remains to ensure Ontario’s children are protected while their parents are respected."