For the third straight day, Lisa Thompson is silent on sex-education controversy
(The Star Fashion & Style)

Premier Doug Ford’s government appears to be sidelining embattled Education Minister Lisa Thompson amid confusion over the handling of the sex-education curriculum.For the third straight day, Thompson ducked reporters Thursday at Queen’s Park.While the education minister was in the Legislature for the daily question period, it was left to Deputy Premier Christine Elliott to respond to opposition queries on why the Progressive Conservatives are scrapping the updated sex-education syllabus.Earlier in the week, the premier himself took the questions on the controversy triggered by his decision to replace the 2015 curriculum with the 1998 version, which does not mention same-sex relationships, gender, consent or cyber safety.Opposition parties expressed concern at the Tories shielding Thompson from the media.NDP Leader Andrea Horwath said “to go into hiding as a minister is completely inappropriate.”Read more: Star Editorial | Let’s not turn back the clock on sex educationOntario students will be taught the 1998 sex-ed curriculum, education minister saysThe naked truth about how the repealed sex ed program compares to the 1998 one that replaces itLiberal MPP Michael Coteau (Don Valley East) said it makes a mockery of the planned public hearings on a revised curriculum.“If you’re the minister of education and you’re not even responding to the media, how do you expect to get out there and consult with the people of Ontario?” asked Coteau (Don Valley East).“You’re the conduit to people here in this province,” he told reporters. “To run away from the media just places her in a very tough situation, where it’s going to be difficult for her to get out there and actually consult with the community.”Green Leader Mike Schreiner said “it’s ridiculous that they’re not even allowing ministers to talk to the media.”“That’s not running a government that ...