They say in politics you should never admit that you’ve made a mistake. They say you should never repeat a negative accusation.

I don’t agree.

I believe it’s important to admit mistakes when they happen.

It was a mistake for a letter to go out to Scarborough-Rouge River voters saying that I would “scrap” the updated curriculum. This is not my view. This is not what I will do. In fact, the opposite is true. I apologize.

I strongly support an updated curriculum that takes into account changing attitudes and the world in which children now dwell. They are being asked to understand challenging topics in ways their parents were not. It is important to have sex education to combat homophobia, and raise important issues like consent, mental health, bullying, and gender identity. The world has changed and so should the curriculum.

It is certainly true many of the changes to the curriculum are hot topics in the Scarborough-Rouge River by-election. It is also undeniably true that many parents feel that they were not thoroughly consulted and that the government did a very poor job of explaining the updates.

The campaign in Scarborough-Rouge River wished to express these concerns and to assure voters that when it came time for the next round of updates, both experts and parents would be thoroughly consulted. Much to my regret, it went too far when it said I’d “scrap” the curriculum.

I want to correct the record before the by-election on Thursday, whatever the political consequences. I do not want people voting in Scarborough-Rouge River thinking I will scrap sex education. I will not.

I also want to be very clear about something else. Consultation doesn’t mean opening the door to intolerance. I will never support removing LGBT sensitivity or combating homophobia from schools. I will always support consulting with parents and giving them a voice, but I will never support intolerance in our society.

I am determined to lead an Ontario PC Party that is modern, inclusive, pragmatic, and that reflects the diversity and values of our province. I was proud to be the first PC leader to march in the Toronto Pride parade. I was proud to be the first MP in Barrie's history to attend a pride flag raising. I fully support marriage equality. It doesn't matter who you love, the government has no business in your personal life.

Patrick Brown is leader of the Ontario Progressive Conservative Party.

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