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Ford also attempted to allay concerns from critics that reverting back to the old curriculum means important issues like cyber safety, gender identity and consent wont’ be taught, putting children at risk.

“I think everyone is going to be pleasantly surprised,” he said. “I really do. I don’t think this is the end of the world. I think it’s actually healthy. When it comes to teaching our kids, we have to consult with the parents.”

Ford said that during the spring election parents across Ontario told him they wanted more input into the curriculum’s design.

“We want to go and consult with the parents and get their input,” he said. “Then we’ll move forward with changing the curriculum.”

Ford’s opposition to the new sex-ed curriculum during the Progressive Conservative leadership race earlier this year won him the support of social conservatives within the party base, helping him to victory over longtime Tory legislator and current health minister Christine Elliott.

NDP legislator Peter Tabuns said the reason the Ford government is replacing the curriculum is to please social conservatives.

“Look at who (Premier Ford’s) backers are,” he said. “We’re talking about some very deeply conservative, social conservative thinkers who think we should be back in the 19th century or earlier.”

Going backwards, Tabuns said, puts children at risk.

Meanwhile, a group of teachers have started an online pledge form, urging fellow educators to sign up and promise to continue to teach the updated version of the curriculum in their classrooms this fall.