Dear TDSB Community,

We have received inquiries from parents, staff and students regarding a motion passed at the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario policy conference this past weekend relating to the teaching of gender identity in Ontario’s Health and Physical Education Curriculum (HPEC). There is further confusion as to how such a resolution affects the Ontario government’s HPEC consultation https://www.ontario.ca/page/for-the-parents which is still in progress. The resolution states:

"Be it resolved that the Ontario PC Party recognize “gender identity theory for what is namely a highly controversial, unscientific 'liberal ideology'; and, as such, that an Ontario PC Government will remove the teaching and promotion of 'gender identity theory' from Ontario schools and its curriculum."

Our understanding is that the motion is non-binding on the government but will be formally voted on at the PC Party’s next policy convention. We are also of the view that any changes to the HPEC should be done in a way that honours and values the consultation process provided by the Ontario government.

Since the government first decided to review the 2015 HPEC and temporarily put in place the re-issued 2010 HPEC, the TDSB has been vocal about its concern with regards to the inclusion of important topics such as online safety, gender identities, sexual orientation, and consent.

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/News/Article-Details/ArtMID/474/ArticleID/1234/Director-of-Education-Letter-to-Teaching-Staff-Re-Health--Physical-Education

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/News/Article-Details/ArtMID/474/ArticleID/1233/Statement-from-Chair-Robin-Pilkey-on-Health--Physical-Education-Curriculum-

https://www.tdsb.on.ca/News/Article-Details/ArtMID/474/ArticleID/1225/Statement-Re-Health--Physical-Education-Curriculum

The TDSB believes that every student has a right to attend schools that are safe and inclusive. We have a responsibility guided by the Ontario Human Rights Code, the Education Act and supported by TDSB policies, to ensure that every student, such as LGBTQ students, feels included and reflected in our schools and classrooms and that the HPEC ensure the inclusion of the perspectives, experiences, rights and needs of historically and currently disenfranchised groups and communities.

When we know who our students are, we can make informed decisions about how to best teach them in ways that are relevant and engaging. This means that learning about real-world topics relevant to today’s students will continue in the classroom and teachers will be supported to do this. This remains a priority in the TDSB.

Sincerely,

John Malloy                                      Robin Pilkey

Director of Education                       Chair