A new report published by Statistics Canada found that most Canadian teenagers get their sexual health information from school. The report, titled “Where do 15- to 17-year-olds in Canada get their sexual health information?” revealed that 56 percent of adolescents identified school as the primary source of information about sex. However, they also said they had more than one main source, mentioning parents or caregivers (51 percent), the Internet (46 percent), friends (36 percent), and health care professionals (21 percent).
The report also highlighted concerning statistics. For example, it found that 15 percent of teens didn’t have an adult to talk to about sexual health issues, while 3 percent of teens didn’t have any source of information at all. This is worrying because, as the report’s authors, Michelle Rotermann and Alexander McKay, pointed out, where adolescents get their sexual health information can influence their sexual behavior.
These findings come after months of protests across Canada over sexual orientation and gender identity resources in schools. A group of protesters held a 24-hour-a-day rally in Abbotsford, B.C., against the information being taught to students. Similarly, public protests were held in various cities to protest what is being taught in schools about gender and sexuality. These protests, dubbed the 1 Million March, called for an end to SOGI in schools. The protests have been motivated by concerns from parents about children being confused or exposed to inappropriate content in schools.
Moreover, the report mentioned a battle over parental rights in the context of sexual orientation and gender identity. In 2023, New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs announced changes that his government would be making to Policy 713. Saskatchewan also introduced a similar policy, which provoked a legal challenge by the UR Pride Centre for Sexuality and Gender Diversity. The provincial government in Saskatchewan used the notwithstanding clause to override the challenge and push the legislation into law.
It’s clear that these issues are complex and increasingly contentious. Statistics, along with legal decisions and large-scale protests, emphasize the importance of understanding and addressing the interplay of educational curricula, public policy, and family values when it comes to sexual health information and resources for adolescents in Canada.