Students get it; Why doesn’t Ford government?

September 21, 2018

TORONTO — Mike Schreiner issued the following statement regarding the student walkouts taking place across Ontario today:

“I ask the Premier to listen to the thousands of students demanding a modern health and physical education curriculum. They are asking for a curriculum that provides them with the knowledge and tools needed to navigate the modern world.

Students want to learn the whole truth about consent, gender diversity and online safety.

It’s time for the Premier to put students first, before the political deals he made with social conservatives. It’s time for the Premier to put evidence before ideology. Our students’ safety should come first.  

I’m inspired by the students speaking out about consent, about the wellbeing of LGBTQ+ youth, and about sharing information to keep each other safe.  They are clearly telling the Conservative government that they do not consent to a curriculum from the last century.

I’m deeply disappointed that the Premier has tried to pit students and parents against teachers  with his snitch line and has completely under-delivered on what was to be the ‘most comprehensive consultation in Ontario’s history.’

Fortunately we have brave young people willing to speak out and hold the government accountable.

Now it’s time for the Premier to listen and restore the complete 2015 health and physical education curriculum.”

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