Open Letter — Re-Instate 2015 Sex Ed Curriculum
Dear Premier Ford and Minister Thompson,
We, the undersigned, representing a broad cross-section of organizations that serve young people in our communities, are writing to express our deep shock and dismay regarding the decision of the Government of Ontario to revoke the 2015 update to Ontario’s Health and Physical Education curriculum.
The 2015 update to Ontario’s Health and Physical Education curriculum ensured children and youth in Ontario received comprehensive, evidence-based, modern and inclusive education on health and wellness.
Furthermore, the updated curriculum was reviewed by over 4000 parents from communities across Ontario, 2,400 educators and other stakeholders, and 700 students. 140 organizations, including Children’s Aid Societies, the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, the Ontario Physical and Health Education Association, the Ontario Healthy Schools Coalition and the Institute for Catholic Education were all consulted in the 2015 update. This 2015 curriculum is the cumulation of feedback and review from thousands of parents, young people and experts.
Revoking the 2015 update means our children and youth will lack key education on consent, online safety, LGBTQ+ inclusion, and sexual health. This will put Ontario’s children and youth at higher risk of sexual violence, sexually transmitted infections, exploitation, bullying and abuse. As organizations that work with young people, we are concerned about the impact that out-dated sex education will have on the health and wellbeing of young people in our community.
We stand behind the 2015 Health and Physical Education Curriculum as an evidence-based curriculum, inclusive of diverse identities and families, that meets the needs of Ontario’s children and youth in a modern and ever-changing world. We firmly believe that revoking this curriculum puts the health and well-being of Ontario’s children and youth at risk.
We are calling upon you, our elected officials, to stand true to the principles of evidence-based education, health, wellness and inclusion, and reinstate the 2015 update to the Health and Physical Education Curriculum. Ontario’s children and youth deserve comprehensive sex education. Do them justice.
The undersigned,
Canadian Federation of Students — Ontario
Capital Pride Youth Committee
Ottawa Coalition to End Violence Against Women (OCTEVAW)
International Youth Alliance for Family Planning
Youth In Care Canada
Ontario Public Interest Research Group — Toronto
The Ten Oaks Project
Kind Space
MATCH International Women’s Fund
Canadian Centre for Gender & Sexual Diversity
Growth Myndset
A Way Home Canada
Centretown Community Health Centre
Planned Parenthood Ottawa
Uproar Arts Festival
University of Ottawa NDP
Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association
CUPE Ontario
Youth Coalition for Sexual and Reproductive Rights
LGBT Youth Line
Action Canada for Sexual Health and Rights
Interagency Coalition on AIDS and Development
Capital Region Advocates for Transgender Youth
SHORE Centre
Island Sexual Health Society
CUSA Gender and Sexuality Resource Centre
Alberta Society for the Promotion of Sexual Health