Our Position
Limited Engagement on Sensitive Topics
Schools must respect the boundary between education and parenting. Sensitive social and political topics require explicit parental consent before students are engaged.
Why Boundaries in Schools Matter
Ontario's public schools serve a diverse population of families with deeply held and varied beliefs. When schools engage students on sensitive social, political, or ideological topics without parental knowledge or consent, they overstep their mandate and undermine the foundational role of parents in shaping their children's values.
Limited engagement is not about restricting education — it is about ensuring that schools focus on academic excellence while respecting the rights of parents to guide their children through complex social questions. Parents are not obstacles; they are partners.
We call on the Ontario government to establish clear, enforceable boundaries that define what schools may and may not do when it comes to engaging students on topics that touch on family values, religion, gender identity, sexuality, and political ideology.
Our Six Principles
These are the core boundaries every Ontario school must respect when it comes to engaging students on sensitive topics.
Consent Before Engagement
No student should be engaged on sensitive social or political topics without prior written consent from a parent or guardian. Schools must notify families and obtain approval before any such instruction takes place.
Academic Focus
Schools should prioritise literacy, numeracy, science, history, and critical thinking. Ideological programming is not the role of a publicly funded school system.
Respect for Diverse Families
Ontario families come from hundreds of cultural, religious, and philosophical backgrounds. School engagement policies must reflect and respect this diversity rather than imposing a single ideological framework.
Full Transparency
Parents have the right to review any materials, lesson plans, or guest presentations related to sensitive topics before they are delivered to students. Transparency is non-negotiable.
Clear Legal Boundaries
The Ontario Education Act must be amended to define explicit limits on school engagement with sensitive topics, with meaningful consequences for boards and administrators who violate those limits.
Open Dialogue
Where sensitive topics arise naturally in the course of learning, teachers must be empowered to redirect students to their families rather than providing guidance that conflicts with parental values.
Stand Up for Boundaries in Education
Join thousands of Ontario parents who believe schools should teach — not parent. Add your voice to the call for limited engagement policies that protect every family.