PC Leader Tim Hudak accused Premier Dalton McGuinty on Friday of intentionally hiding from Ontario parents details about their children's sex-education.
Hudak, who has in the past voiced his concern about the Liberal party's approach to sex-ed, made the accusation in response to the Toronto District School Board's revised educational guide to combating homophobia in schools.
The 219-page guide, titled "Challenging Homophobia and Heterosexism," recommends schools not inform parents when teachers will be introducing anti-discrimination concepts such as gender discrimination, anti-homophobia and non-traditional families in the classroom. It does, however, recommend parents be kept advised of equity topics by sending a school newsletter home at the beginning of each term.
The curriculum tells teachers not to send notes or permissions slips home before starting an anti-discrimination unit, so as not to "single out one topic over the other."
Hudak charged McGuinty of purposefully "keeping parents in the dark" about what is being taught in schools.
He added that it is the parents' responsibility to teach their children about discrimination and tolerance.
Meanwhile, McGuinty used his Friday to focus on mental health issues, saying the Liberals will invest $257 million over three years to help about 50,000 youth access treatment.
"I want these young people, I want their families to know, we're with them all the way," McGuinty said as he stood at a construction site where a new treatment facility is being built for Toronto's Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.
"They'll get faster access to high quality services, more early identification and support and vulnerable children with unique needs will get additional help."
The Liberal platform would add mental health support staff in schools, Aboriginal communities and youth court; add counselling services to community groups and help rural and remote youth access therapists by video link.
"For generations, mental health issues had been misunderstood, stigmatized and concealed," McGuinty told reporters at the event. "We cannot allow families to lead their quiet lives of desperation. They're looking to us, they're looking to you."
Northern Debate
McGuinty didn't join his two main opponents at a debate on Northern issues on Friday, brushing off suggestions he's snubbing the region.
McGuinty says didn't go to the Thunder Bay event due to scheduling conflicts, and has a long track record to prove his support for the North.
NDP Leader Andrea Horwath and Progressive Conservative Leader Tim Hudak are using the opportunity to paint McGuinty as being out of touch with the region. The claims have the potential to gain traction in an area divided over the Liberals' Far North Act, which protects a significant swath of the area from development.
If they form the government, both the Conservatives and New Democrats have vowed to repeal the act, which has been opposed by mining, forestry and First Nations groups. They say it limits the opportunity for economic development and will keep northern communities in poverty.
Hudak got right to criticizing McGuinty's absence when the mid-day debate kicked off, using his opening remarks to paint the premier as "AWOL" on northern issues.
The Tory leader wasn't the only one with such an opinion -- one man outside the hotel where the debate was being held came bearing a chicken, which he said represented the absent Liberal.
Shortly after the debate ended, Hudak's campaign staff sent out a news release declaring victory. However, public perception seemed much more divided, with each leader receiving support for their performance.
All three leaders are scheduled to take part in a debate next week in Toronto.
With files from The Canadian Press
Note: This story was updated on Oct. 3, 2011, to clarify the Toronto District School Board's revised homophobia educational guide.
