Local feminist activist group, Women\u2019s March Muskoka, made it very clear what they think about the provincial PC government’s decision to repeal the 2015 sex-ed curriculum when they held a protest outside MPP Norm Miller\u2019s office on Saturday.<\/p>\n
Over 70 people, including educators, moms, dads, and families, from across Muskoka gathered to raise their voices and express their passion over the matter.<\/p>\n
The Ontario PC government plans to replace the 2015 curriculum with the previous 1998 curriculum, which doesn\u2019t include discussion on sexting, healthy relationships, online bullying, consent, gender identity and same-sex relationships\/marriage.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s time for us to recognize LGBTQ+ kids. I can\u2019t imagine what it feels like to be told you aren\u2019t important,” said Pat Smith, a former teacher who drove from Barrie to show her support.<\/p>\n
Michelle Emson, founder of the Women\u2019s March Muskoka group, says that the point of the protest was to:
\nencourage the government not to repeal the 2015 curriculum, engage in due process to develop a new curriculum, not rush through changes without consultation, and not take our children\u2019s education back to the last century.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 1998 curriculum does little to nothing to prepare our children for life in 2018,\u201d said Emson. \u201cThe 2015 curriculum was developed with considerable consultation of 4,000 parents, 700 students, 2,400 educators, health-care professionals, and more. The current curriculum covers very important issues around cyber-threats, abuse, bullying, inappropriate behaviour, gender identity, First Nations, consent, healthy relationships, and so much more, that are simply not covered in the 1998 edition.”<\/p>\n\n\t\t