In Ontario, sex education is taught as part of the health and physical education curriculum. It is mandatory for all publicly funded schools to provide sex education to students in grades 1-12. The curriculum is designed to provide age-appropriate information and skills related to healthy sexuality, relationships, and personal safety.

Are there set guidelines for teaching sex education in Canadian schools? 

There is no set standard for how sexual education must be taught or implemented in Canada, however, both the Sex Information & Education Council of Canada (SIECCAN) and the United Nations Edu­cational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) have developed comprehensive sexuality education guidelines.

SIECCAN’s Canadian Guidelines for Sexual Health Education guidelines are meant to provide direction to educators and policy makers for “the development and evaluation of comprehensive evidence-based sexual health education in Canada.”

UNESCO has published its updated International Technical Guidance on Sexuality Education. These guidelines “provide key concepts, topics, and technical guidance about sexual health-related topics that are advisable for students in all grades.”

Again, these guidelines are only offered as a resource and for guidance for educators.

Health and Physical Education Curriculum

In Ontario, the Ministry of Education sets the standards for the health and physical education curriculum, including sex education. The current curriculum is based on the Health and Physical Education Curriculum, Grades 1-8 (2019) and the Health and Physical Education Curriculum, Grades 9-12 (2015).

• Health and Physical Education Curriculum, Grades 1-8, 2019: This document outlines the health and physical education curriculum for students in grades 1-8 in Ontario, including the requirements for sex education. More information is available from Ontario.ca.
• Health and Physical Education Curriculum, Grades 9-12, 2015: This document outlines the health and physical education curriculum for students in grades 9-12 in Ontario, including the requirements for sex education.

What topics are covered in sex education classes?

In 2015, the Ontario government updated the sex education curriculum to include topics such as consent, gender identity, and sexual orientation.

Topics covered in Ontario’s sex education curriculum may include:

• Reproductive anatomy and physiology
• Contraception and safe sex practices
• Healthy relationships and communication skills
• Consent and sexual violence prevention
• LGBTQ+ issues and gender identity
• Personal and digital safety

Can parents in Ontario opt out of sex education for their child(ren)?

When Ontario’s sex education curriculum was updated in 2019 for Grades 1-8, it included a new provision that states school boards across Ontario have to give parents 20 school days of notice about pending human-development and sexual-health lessons. This notice will give parents the opportunity to fill out an opt-out form to exclude their child from participating in the class.

Parents ability to opt-out of sex education at all grade levels is based on these agreements along with aspects of the Ontario Education Act which suggests that parents are the moral educators of their children. The language of the Health and Physical Education Curriculum also suggests that parents are the primary educators of their children.

If parents wish to opt-out their children from parts or all of the Health and Physical Education Curriculum, they should speak to their child(ren)’s school board and make that request in writing.

Do regulations also apply to non-public schools?

The Education Act applies to all schools in the province, including public and private schools. This means that the rights of parents or guardians to make decisions about their child’s education, including decisions about sex education, apply to all schools in Ontario.

It is important to note that other types of schools may have their own policies and procedures regarding sex education and the rights of parents to withdraw their child from such instruction. Parents who have concerns about sex education in a private school should consult with the school’s administration to understand their options and the school’s policies regarding this topic.

More info

For more information, view the Education Act, the Ministry of Education’s Health and Physical Education in Ontario website, or visit our Links for helpful resources on Education & School Law.

								
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