in si de ha lto n. co m O ak vi lle B ea ve r | T hu rs da y, Ju ly 26 ,2 01 8 | 6 ABOUT US This newspaper, published every Thursday, is a division of the Metroland Media Group Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of Torstar Corporation. The Metroland family of newspapers is comprised family of newspapers is comprised f of more than 80 community publications across Ontario. This newspaper is a member of the National NewsMedia Council. Complainants are urged to bring their concerns to the attention of the news- paper and, if not satisfied, write The National NewsMedia Council, Suite 200, 890 Yonge St., Toronto, ON M4W 2H2. 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Delivery For all delivery inquiries, please e-mail kmossman@metroland.com or call 905-631-6095. OPINION TO LEARN HOW TO SUBMIT YOUR OWN CONTENT VISIT INSIDEHALTON.COM EDITORIAL It should be no surprise that Ontario's new Progres- sive Conservative government scrapped the two-year- old sex-education curriculum and reverted back to a previous, outdated one crafted 20 years ago - before Google, cellphones and sexting. The change is a reward by Premier Doug Ford to the vocal religious groups and socially conservative fami- ly organizations - who helped him win the PC leader- ship race - that believe teaching sex should be done behind closed doors with little information provided. These social conservative groups have been embold- en since 2010 when then-premier Dalton McGuinty backed off introducing an updated sex-education cur- riculum after the success of their virulent campaign of misinformation. When former premier Kathleen Wynne's govern- ment installed its sex education curriculum to assist youths navigate the perils of society, these groups accused the government of pursuing a "gay agenda" led by a lesbian. Despite the hysterical accusations, the Liberals did conduct a full and in-depth consultation process in- volving about 4,000 parents, principals, educators, police, academics, students, and a variety of organiza- tions, including the Children's Aid Societies and Cen- tre for Addition and Mental Health. The 1998 sex-education curriculum, which the Ford government had deemed the policy directive for youth starting this September, contains no mention of sex involving anything other than a penis and a vagina. It is retro political ideology gone mad, flying in the face of today's reality. The sex-education curriculum that was scrapped provided youths with essential information to at least deal with online pornography, the risks of sexting and photo sharing, how to stand up to cyber bullying, how to respond to uncomfortable situations, how to grow up with a clear understanding of consent in sexual situations and urges abstention or at least a delay in sexual activity. It also promotes diversity and inclusiveness, espe- cially in a transforming society where a youth may have two mothers or two fathers. The curriculum is not a how-to manual, as some irate and misinformed socially conservative groups may say, but a harm-reduction document that edu- cates, informs and includes. Education Ministry Lisa Thompson and her parlia- mentary assistant, the socially conservative Niagara West PC MPP Sam Oosterhoff, say they will consultWest PC MPP Sam Oosterhoff, say they will consultW with Ontario parents with the idea of establishing a new curriculum in September 2019. But the PCs are in no hurry to review the sex educa- tion curriculum when they already have a document in place that is a detriment to youths as they try to learn about a complicated world. IDEOLOGY OVER REALITY I strongly believe that all Canadians, regardless of gender, age, religion, culture, address or politi- cal party deserve to have all barriers removed so they can succeed. There is a saying that a rising tide lifts all boats, and I am proud to be part of a gov- ernment that recognizes that. I am deeply troubled by comments I have heard about Conservative wom- en being excluded from the conversation around feminism. Nothing couldfeminism. Nothing couldf be further from the truth. Whether in politics, at corporate board tables, re- search labs, community centres or school parent groups, women of all polit- ical stripes have always contributed to their com- munities and helped to shape our country. We need to do more to recog- nize that. I am proud of the work that my government is do- ing to provide tools that further empower womenfurther empower womenf and level the playing field in our economy. Canada cannot succeed if half the population is left behind. Today women continue to earn less than men for the same work. Support- ing women's economic participation is not only the right thing to do, but could also add $150 billion to Canada's economy by 2026. Women of all politicalWomen of all politicalW stripes can be proud that we're reducing barriers to women's entrepreneur- ship by giving more money and support to women- owned businesses. We are also giving more choice to families by extending EIfamilies by extending EIf parental benefits to 18 months and allowing them to claim maternity bene- fits up to 12 weeks beforefits up to 12 weeks beforef their due date. We are also providing an extra five weeks to parents who agree to share parental leave so that men who de- cide to take parental leave will feel supported as well. Historic investments are being made in child care and benefits, afford- able housing, and public transportation. These are the three things we heard most often at the Status of Women Committee as be-Women Committee as be-W ing barriers to women's economic participation. We are convening 150We are convening 150W women leaders in various sectors across Canada to advance equality for wom- en and girls. By focusing on gender equality, we are ensuring all Canadians can achieve their dreams. Our country's success depends on everyone hav- ing the opportunity to con- tribute to our economy and share Canada's future. Pam Damoff is the Member of Parliament for the riding of Oakville North-Burlington. IT'S ABOUT FAIRNESS FOR ALL CANADIANS OUR COUNTRY CANNOT SUCCEED IF HALF THE POPULATION IS LEFT BEHIND, WRITES DAMOFF PAM DAMOFF Column