In late September, the Progressive Conservative government launched consultations for the new sex ed curriculum. As an unexpected twist, they rolled the sex ed consultations into a broader consultation covering a range of topics, such as cellphone use, cannabis legalization and standardized testing.

The Progressive Conservatives claim they repealed the 2015 sex ed curriculum because parents weren’t consulted. While I disagree with their decision, and believe their claim to be nothing but a false front to hide their true motivations — homophobia and transphobia, and appeasing the social conservative groups whose support were crucial to Ford’s election — there is one point on which we agree: We need parents meaningfully consulted on sex ed, and we need their help raising kids to make healthy, informed decisions about their sexuality.

But, as the government rolls out consultations with parents, I am left wondering: What role will evidence play?

Parent voice is crucial to a modern and comprehensive sex ed curriculum. If — and it’s a big if — we take the government at its word, this new consultation represents an historic opportunity for parents to have their voices heard, both on sex ed and a myriad of other issues related to their kids’ education.

The truth, from my work in schools and with social services as an LGBTQ educator, is I know that our communities are filled with parents who know that their kids need access to comprehensive sex ed.

Parents know their kids need to learn about LGBTQ inclusion, consent and online safety. I fundamentally believe that parents in Ontario know that the best sex education is inclusive, evidence-based and built on strong partnerships between parents, educators and kids.

However, regardless of the results of the consultation with parents, it must be acknowledged that parents, while a crucial voice, are not the only voice. Scientific evidence and best practices, too, must have a strong role in this curriculum.

While advocates for the repeal of the sex ed curriculum —organizations like the Campaign Life Coalition — claim the sex ed curriculum is pure “liberal ideology,” the evidence is quite clear on sex ed: when kids get access to comprehensive, evidence-based information around topics like gender, sexuality and sexual health, they make healthier decisions.

In fact, the United Nations International Technical Guide on Comprehensive sexuality Education states: An evidence-informed approach, a guiding document on best-practices internationally on sexuality education, matches up quite closely to the 2015 sex-ed curriculum. That’s not ideology —it’s just a fact.

While I am no supporter of the sex ed repeal — and indeed believe the government has violated the rights of LGBTQ2+ youth in revoking the 2015 curriculum — there is an opportunity here for the Ford government.

Parental voice is crucial to an effective sex ed curriculum. Evidence, too, is a key ingredient to success.

So, I have to ask: Will Doug Ford and the Government of Ontario show themselves to be anti-science? Will they ignore best practices and established evidence by continuing to cater to the small but mighty social conservative groups within Progressive Conservative ranks, or will they seize this opportunity to deliver on what parents and kids need: a comprehensive sex ed curriculum, based on evidence, shaped with clear, meaningful input from parents that meets the needs of our kids in a modern, fast-changing world?

The truth is, I don’t think the Progressive Conservative government cares about sex ed. I believe Ford repealed the curriculum to pay back those social conservative factions that were crucial to his electoral success.

However, in repealing the 2015 sex ed curriculum, Ford set off a political backlash he couldn’t have anticipated. As one of his first major moves as premier, he incited a province-wide uproar that jaded many of us against this government before it had settled into its new Queen’s Park offices.

Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading... Loading...

The opportunity here isn’t just a chance to set a new, higher standard on sex ed curriculum. It is also an opportunity —and one of significant political importance — for Ford’s government to show Ontario’s parents it has the best interests of our children and families at heart.

The Progressive Conservatives keep telling us they’re here for the people. In the case of sex ed, at least, it’s time they proved it.

Fae Johnstone (she/they) is a community-based gender and sexuality educator, organizer and consultant. She is a young professional with a background in LGBTQ nonprofits and the Ontario child and youth mental health sector. Twitter: @FaeJohnstone.

Read more about: