Alexandra Ages on the Impact of Alberta's Bill 27 on consent education in schools | Policy Options
December 12, 2024 | Alumna Alexandra Ages, MPP'21, wrote an article for  examining the implications of Alberta’s Bill 27 on sexual health education. Ages emphasizes the critical role of teaching consent in reducing sexual violence and supporting survivors, noting that "teaching young people about consent is teaching them a life skill." She highlights concerns that Bill 27, which requires parents to opt their children into sexual health education, creates barriers for students to access lessons on consent, relationships, and sexual health.
Citing alarming statistics, Ages points out that "almost 35 percent of Albertans reported experiencing sexual abuse before the age of 18" and underscores the importance of education in fostering safe and healthy relationships. She argues that the legislation represents a setback, stating, "By neglecting consent education, the pending legislation lets students — and survivors — down." Through her analysis, Ages sheds light on the significant consequences of restricting access to sexual health education in Alberta.
