Ontario sex-ed opponent Tanya Granic Allen joins PC leadership race

Tanya Granic Allen, a vocal opponent of the province's sexed curriculum, has cast her bidto become the next leader of Ontario's Progressive Conservative Party.

Elections Ontario listed Allen as a candidate on Tuesday, after she hinted at wanting to be a strong voice for socially conservative members of the party earlier this week.Allen also releasedstatements on her social media and websiteannouncing her candidacy.

• Ontario sex ed curriculum at issue in PC leadership race

Accordingto a senior PCofficial,there are a small number of remaining steps Allen must take before she's recognized as an officialcandidate by the party.

The first candidates' debate will be held Feb. 15 and will be hosted by TVO. In an email to CBCToronto, TVO'sdirector of external relations and corporate communications,Sara Goldvine,said:"We are ready to welcome Ms. Allen as the fourth candidate, once/if the PCPO green lights her participation."

Allen is the fourth person to join one of the shortest leadership races in Canadian history, alongside Christine Elliott, Doug Ford and Caroline Mulroney.

The new leader of the party will be announced on March 10barely six weeks after Patrick Brown's resignation over sexual misconduct allegations.

Allen is a mother of four, and the president of a group called Parents As First Educators, that challenges what it calls Ontario's "radical"sex ed curriculum.

Ford also spoke about the province's sex ed curriculum Monday, announcinghe plans to revisit it should he win the leadership race and go on to represent the party in the provincial election in June.

Elliott has also said she believes sex education should be taught in schools but agrees with Ford thatWynne'sgovernment didn't consult enough with parents.

Mulroney said, however, she would not undo any changes that have already been made, but parents should have a louder voice when it comes to revisions, according to a spokesperson.

The curriculum has been a source of controversy since Premier Kathleen Wynne's Liberal government introduced an updated version of it in 2015.

Allen said on her website she is "not sure any of the three declared candidates are going to be that strong voice," ensuring "the protest of parents across this province isn't falling upon deaf ears."

CBC Toronto reached out to Allen about her candidacy, but hasn't received a response.