OTTAWA - If it's OK for British teachers to ask 11-year-old students about their sexual orientation, could the idea gain wide acceptance across Canada?

The Equality and Human Rights Commission in the U.K. recommends teachers, nurses, and youth workers open a file on children as young as 11 years old, to ask if they're gay.

Any "unsure" student would be listed as "questioning."

The idea is to track children's sexual orientations to curb future discrimination.

The report also notes that parental consent isn't legally required for such questions.

Reaction in the U.K. has been furious.

Tory MP Graham Stuart called the idea, "invasive, sinister, and threatening."

Critics are concerned the survey would undermine parental authority and expose children to material they're unprepared to handle.

The kids' sex survey idea is not unique.

Despite opposition among many Ontario parents, the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board is going ahead with a similar survey in the next couple of months for children as young as 11.

In the past, the Toronto District School Board had students fill out a similar questionnaire.

Last year, Ontario's education minister proposed an overhaul of sex ed material so that it would teach 11-year-olds about oral and anal sex and eight-year-olds about sexual orientation and identity.

Fury from parents and family values groups convinced the province to back down and promise to consult parents before introducing any new curriculum.

No consultations have been held since.