Updated: Wed Sep. 05 2007 5:15:43 PM

Canadian Press

TORONTO — There is no reason creationism could not be taught in addition to evolution and "other theories" if private religious schools are brought into Ontario public school boards, Progressive Conservative Leader John Tory said Wednesday.

The Conservatives are promising to give private religious schools $400 million if they opt into the public system, teach the provincial curriculum, hire accredited teachers and administer standardized tests, Tory said.

But that doesn't mean Christian schools couldn't teach creationism on top of the existing provincial curriculum, he said after touring a 100-year-old Jewish school in a Toronto suburb.

"It's still called the theory of evolution," Tory said. "They teach evolution in the Ontario curriculum, but they also could teach the fact to the children that there are other theories that people have out there that are part of some Christian beliefs."

The Liberals quickly jumped on that comment, saying it would be a violation of the Ontario curriculum -- which already teaches evolution -- for creationism to be taught outside the context of a religion class.

Tory later clarified his remarks to say that he meant creationism could be taught in such a class, and that he did not mean to suggest the two theories would be given equal weight in a science lab.

The Conservative election promise to fund religious schools would ensure all students get a more well-rounded education, because it would make the schools subject to provincial inspections, Tory said.

He called it unfair that Catholic schools get tax dollars while other faith-based schools are left to struggle on their own.

"There will be some that will disagree with that," Tory said. "But I think people will respect ... that I'm actually putting forward a proposal as to how we can deal with an issue that's been around for decades, and that I'm prepared to talk about it without fearmongering."

Education Minister Kathleen Wynne -- who is running against Tory for her Toronto seat -- said Tory's comments prove he hasn't properly thought out his policy. Creationism is currently not part of the provincial science curriculum and isn't given the same weight as evolution, she said.

Catholic schools may talk about creationism, Wynne said, but only in the context of a broader religious discussion.

"It's useful for students to have the opportunity to know the ideas that are out there and are part of our history," Wynne said.

"What we teach as the truth is the question. The scientific truths are the ones that are included in the Ontario curriculum. That's the curriculum that we support."

Please Add Comments(63)

Po
Religion and its theories should be taught in religion classes only and no one should have to take these classes.

Isn't this a secular country? I don't want my taxes paying for ANY religious teaching institution, not catholic, not protestant, not muslim, not hindu and not any other one. And I'm not an atheist or anything but I'm a strong believer in the separation of church and state.

We shouldn't have to pay for people who choose to belive in certain things. If anything, we should remove catholic school funding and all other government religious funding.

Megan
I hope this happens. It is sickening when one has to sit through a class listening about evolution when they agree with creationism. I myself have dealt with this. On the otherhand, what schools does this include?

MikeLondon
John Tory is ruining any chance at winning this election with these ideas like funding religious schools. And now teaching creationism? He cannot win this election now

M. Cameron
And there's the beginning of the PC Party eliminating the separation between church and state.

Paul
This is wrong. Teach science in science class. Dont send kids back to the stoneage.

Bill DeSouza
You've got to be kidding - no, with the Tory party this is par for the course. Creationism is NOT a science, it is NOT fact and it should NOT be taught in any school. John Tory needs step back and give up. A leader, he is NOT.

Jeff
Are they going to teach that the stork brings babies? Or how about the earth is flat? Anyone that votes for this fool should have their citizenship revoked.

Rick
I agree Creation should be taught in aschools and if tax dollars are given to Catholic schools then all Chrstian schools should get the same treatment. We are all God's children no matter what Christain faith we belong to,Iam 46,and a former drug addict and a alcoholic,but I have been set free,to someone who does not know what Iam taliking about,all my craving's have brrn taken away,all in an instance and if I chose to fall it woud be because I chose to not because of any cravings whatsoever!!!

Jeff
That's it.

Why not vote for Jesus too.

Come on people. Religion should not be part of politics. Not even close.

You have the right to your religious views, just don't force them on me or my kids.

steve
Just like Reagan in the 1980's, going after the religious voters. Well what will happen when all religions start fighting about who is right and who wrong. And how will we be able to have a well rounded education when each religion has their own interpretations/beliefs? And what about all their private funding? And where will religious founding stop? Are we going to publicly found all religious schools?

Ed
How about allowing taxpayers to decide on where and how their children are educated.
ie; the option to opt out of the public system, fully fund their childs PRIVATE education, then receive a cut on property taxes for the education portion. Enough with the teacher's unions running the government while this joke of a system turns our kids into morons!

Darryl
John Tory has convinced me--that Catholic schools should not be funded, not that other religious "schools" should. Do we really need madrasas in Ontario? There's a good reason the Kansas State Board of Education was the laughing stock of the educated world for a number of years.

JC
The answer is simple - there should be one tax payer funded public school system and all other religious schools - including Catholic schools - should be privately funded.

James Tod, Vancouver
Tory simply wants to polarize people. And you know what, it's working... A sad day for Ontario/Canadian politics. Ontario is in for a bitter election campaign from both sides.

Bill from Kenora
I find it so interesting that people say that Creationism should only be taught in religious classes. The "theory of evolution" is NOT scientific and is only a theory. Why then is it taught as fact in science classes?
Will the public school religion of secular humanism win the day?

Peter
Yes let's have free thought in our schools. Think of the belief in evolution as a decison to look at our world's history through a certain mindset. It is not a theory with anything like the weight of proof on its side. Rather, it is just that - a theory, and has glaring problems and gaps, as well as myriads of unexplained and unsubstantitaed assumptions. One could argue that intelligent design is also unsubstantiated, but let's put it in the mix of ideas and be open-minded. And please let's dispense with the silly comparison of intelligent design with belief in a flat earth!

NJC
If people really look into it, there is more scientific proof that supports Creation and a Divine Designer than Evolution. If you want to teach children the theory of Evolution, teach them the theories and proofs that destroy it.

Jeremy
We are on a slippery slope when people of power want to bring faith/religious ideas into the science classroom. Evolution is what most experts believe in and we should stick with the people who study it, not the people who preach it.

Jack
Both evolution and creationism are theories. Neither should be taught in a legitimate science class.

Cameron
Bill,
Evolution is also not a FACT, if science class were to only teach facts then there are a lot of things we are currently teaching that shouldn't be. There is another big one right now being taught that is not fact; oh what is it, that’s right Global Warming. The evidence supporting the Big Bang and Evolution are just as flawed as those supporting Creationism.

Beth
We are already suffering under huge tax burdens, this faith based school initiative will ensure that I do not vote Conservative. There should be one public system, fold the catholic boards into it and improve the school system for all. There are other areas that desperately need funding, such as the newly announced initative for providing basic dental care to the working poor. It's time to choose practical priorities for the money we have to spend.

Dave
Why should kids who do not believe in evolution have to put up with the teachings of a Humanist Religion (yes, that's what it is!). Talk about a double-standard. If they believe that God created the world, they should not have to put up with these other teachings thrown at them, whether it is called "science" or whatever. Evolutionists would be horrified if creation was taught in the schools, so why is it any different that creationist don't what to listen to evolution?

Kris
Parents should be able to choose what their children are taught. Evolution is a theory, not a fact for a lot of people.

Grace
Theory of evolution should be taught in a philosophy class, not science; it is not a proven natural scientific theory. Believers in evolution are the ones who crossed the border, pressing down on others their wild imagination about the origin of life.

richie
Both sides have no absolute proof... Therefore both sides should be taught. We should be the first generation to feed our children ALL the information instead of only the stuff that's bound to assert our will. School is not for religion. If Catholic parents, or any other faith for that matter wish to educate their child on religion, they should send them to Sunday school or some other religious eductation that parish members pay for rather then taxpayers.

Janus
The Christian creation myth is only one form. Will Mr. Tory include those of the Hopi, Norse, Egyptians, and so on?

Good animated overview at:
http://mythicjourneys.org/bigmyth/

John Tory's brand of PC is very much "special interests" rather than representing the people.

I wasn't so much in favor of Dalton, but Tory is Scary!

Bas
Creationism is the same as catholicism- it should not be taught or supported by tax dollars from a non-religious government. As soon as religion starts to mix with school, the boundaries blur and people get marginalized...

Tim
Another pathetic attempt to paint the Conservatives as a bunch of hillbilly religion fanatics. The same thing happened to Stockwell Day with the main stream media. Completely blown out of proportion by the leftists when it is not even a serious election issue.

RB
Interesting comments, Creation is not fact? But Dwarwinism is? Have you looked into my things being taught in science class that were proven to be falsified many years ago but are still being taught in science. Many scientists that are not creationists do not believe in what is taught in science anymore....check it out deeper, before accepting something as fact. Also, no one is saying that creationism is going to be taught in public school science class.

Dr. Robert H. Brown
In regard to comments by "PO" asking if Canada is not a secular country, I would direct that person to the Charter of Rights and freedoms for the answer. The first line of the Charter states that the founding principles incipient within the Charter, and therefore of Canada, are the Supremacy of God and the Rule of Law. By definition, Canada is a religious and not a secular country. This is clearly defined in our Charter.

Elizabeth Cormier
As a person who has been on the opposite end of the usual spectrum (that is, being taught only creationism when I believe in evolution), I have to say this is an interesting step. I think Mr. Tory is missing the point. There should be funding for Christian schools where Christians (not just Roman Catholics)can teach and learn their beliefs. I do not think that the Government should be paying for Christianity to be included in the secular system. To keep the two seperate makes the most sense. Though a step in the right direction (everyone deserves a chance to be educated in their beliefs), Mr. Tory is merely throwing money at an issue that he evidently knows nothing about.

Steele
It should be allowed. Both theories are valid in science. In science there is no absolute truth - theories are valid in science until they can be disproven. There are significant problems with the evolution theory as some may think there are with creationism. Some think evolution is on its way out as a credible arguement in science. So both theories should be explored as well as others, as long as children know science only explores theory.

Robert Muir
Scary

Nic
If they can teach evolution (which has just as many holes are creationism), then they should be able to teach creationism. You can not tell me the everything our child are taught in school is all 100% backed up by scientfic proof. Give the children the theories and let them decide. We fund Catholic schooling so why not other schools.

DL
If people want to teach there kids about Creationism, do so in the privacy of your own home or church. Let science classes teach real science, like Evolution. For the record, I am Christian but believe deeply in Evolution. Face it...Creationism is a farce!!!

Jim Coyle
Mr. Tory should learn that Creationism is not science: it is theology. Perhaps he would be more comfortable looking for votes in the southern U.S.

Tim
Good for Tory.

It has always bothered me that my tax dollars fund secular theories of origins to the exclusion of creation...

Cal Bowden
Mr Tory is sounding more like an American religious politician every day. The whole idea of religious schools (including the RC religion) getting tax dollars is misguided. We should only have to pay for one school system and infrastructure. Now he wants Creationalism taught? Sounds like a policy from the US Bible Belt. What a dilemma; I can't vote for McGuinty with his crass political giveaways, and am totally opposed to these new conservative policies. NDP is not an option, so we will need a spot for none of the above until we can get some credible candidates.

D. H. Harris
The problem is keeping religious beliefs and scientific fact separate. Evolution is an observable scientific fact. Creation in any form is a belief not backed up by ANY evidence. Teaching Creationism alongside Evolution as an alternative "theory" to the origins of humans is to set us back to the dark ages.

SC
Christians can believe in evolution...hate to let you in on a secret but the bible isn't suppose to be seen as a text book. The key is the message that lies in it!!!!

Rob
I'ts amazing how many people are still religious believers after having to go through science class. I guess most people are just pretending to listen to evolution teaching.

Just text message your friends during evolution class I guess.

A Tymensen
Catholics pay taxes. School taxes are collected on property taxes and each property owner declares to which school system they would like there taxes allocated too.

Don't worry, if you don't like it, you are not paying for it.

Doug
"Christian" schools? Why only them? Why not all the other religions and faiths?

Myths have no place in serious education. Their readings could possibly be studied in a literature class.

Ashley
Jeff said: "Anyone that votes for this fool should have their citizenship revoked." So because you disagree with him, those that agree (and there are many) should be kicked out of the country? Is that your idea of democracy? Your way, or no way? Any opposing view should not be expressed? Last I heard this was a free country.

Andrew
I'll need proof that God exists before I vote for this fool.

Ross McD
Some people believe in creationism, some people believe in catholicism, some believe in other religions. This is about being fair to all religions. Why does Johnny Catholic get to go to a seperate, publically funded school and Susie Muslim has to pay out of her own pocket? If we all go to the same school and disallow any religion or religious symbols into the school then Sikhs could not wear turbins and catholics could not wear a chain around their necks with the sign of the cross attached. That doesn't sound like it serves everyone's interest, does it?

Robert
God!! Oh pardon me...For Pete's sake, is there no alternative to these stupid politicians?? Why not further dilute the public tax dollar meant for PUBLIC EDUCATION with the stupid notion of funding everybodys religious school education!! Give me strength!!

RBear
Allowing separate religious schools would be the Talibanization of the system. It is only vote seekers (Tory) and fundamentalists who would support teaching Creationism. As a Christian, this direction scares me.

Kris
Religion should be taught in the church. Science should be taught in the science class. Creationism is NOT science.

Revoke funding for all religous schools, Catholic included.

D.H.Harris
What should be done is remove public funding for any private separate schooling. It's asinine the public should have to pay for special religion based education. If someone wants special education then they should be paying for it.

Doug in Toronto
.... To give $400 million to religious schools while Toronto suffers from a lack of funding is politically irresponsible. This is the worst kind of cheap, cynical wedge politics. This man cannot be allowed to get into power. We live in a secular society where the electric lightbulb contributes more every day to social advancement than a thousand virgins praying for a thousand years. The age of faith is over; the age of new Toryism should not be allowed to begin.

Derek Pearce
I am just amazed with Tory in regards to this whole thing. He's smarter than this, he's a reasonable guy-- how on earth does he think this stuff is going to win him votes?! Does he secretly want to crash and burn come October?

Jonathan Grimm
What's the matter CTV ? Are you to right-wing to post the flood of negative comments about what an idiot John Tory is ? .... Check out the Globe and Mail website and you'll get the picture.

Shannon
As usual the left's idea of tolerance and inclusion applies to everyone except Christians. Evolution remains an hypothesis, not fact, and therefore has no more fundamental authority than creationism. Bravo to Mr. Tory for demonstrating what open-mindedness truly is.

Marty
Someone said ealier that creationism is not proven. Well, neither is evolution. It is only a theory. Look at the evidence. Creation and evolution should be presented side by side and let it be a choice for each student. I agree with Tory.

Skippy the Bush Creationist
I think the Norse version of the creation is very interesting as is the Inca version of creation - which version of the creation MYTH is being promoted by Mr. Tory?

Tracey
Your tax dollars do NOT fund catholic schools unless you specify that that is where you want it to go with regards to education.

Jake
As a Conservative and a Catholic, I thought Tory had some brains. However, creationism is not a theory to be taught along side evolution. Evolution has been established based on scientific method and observation. Creationism is based on sheer faith. The fact that Tory considers evolution and creationism to be side by side indicates that I can no longer support him. If you don't understand eighth grade biology then you are certainly incapable of running a province.

Descartes
Maybe it's time to undo Bill Davis' biggest mistake?

GP
Creationism is NOT science, it is the fantasies of religion, and belongs in the church with other such beliefs. Christianity, and all other religions, are a relatively new phenomena that has only been around for a couple of thousand years…a miniscule drop in the bucket of time. Completely aside of the authoritarian and social aspects, religion was created to answer questions about nature in the absence of science. Inevitably, we now have established sound scientific methods and securitization to guide us to a factual understanding of the physical universe. Those of us that derive our faith from science cannot accept this type of fantasy as main stream. By definition its fantasy because there are NO FACTS to support it in any way shape or form.

In short…this guy is out to lunch.

Chris
The separation of church and state is essential to the survival of any democratic society. Once you bring God/Yahweh/Mohammed/Etc.into the equation it becomes a theologian dictatorship...keep facts in the classroom and religious ideology and/or fanaticism in the church/synagogue/mosque/etc.

Besides, in the end the kids will decide for themselves, with or without $400 million of every hardworking Ontarian's tax money, religious or not.

But these points still dont touch on the bigger picture: the Ontario PCs are UTILIZING RELIGION AND EXPLOITING THE DEVOUT TO FURTHER THEIR ELECTION PLATFORM.

Any believer in higher power should be angry at this.

Devon K.
Once again people are reading comments but not comprehending them. ... The crux of this argument is that if the Catholics get this public money so should everyone else to be fair. Does anyone actually argue against that? I don't think so. Tory didn't say they'd be teaching creationism in the science class either. Right now most schools barely touch on evolution in their science classes as is. I don't see the conflict here.

Some people say this is the end or the beginning of the end of the separation between Church and State. I hate to tell people this but there has never, ever been a separation between Church and State any where. Our leaders, we voters, etc have religious feelings and beliefs and they guide our decisions every single day.

We put a separation of Church and State on paper to make us feel good and dare I say morally superior to the third world nations but we aren't that much different when it comes to our beliefs guiding our decisions.

Really I see this as a non-issue that will appeal to a lot of parents and rile up some of the lefties.

George
Those who are thrilled by Tory's promise need to pause and consider the consequences.

The PC's will present this, the same way Mike Harris presented many of his ideas. They sounded good until we saw the inclusions, he had omitted.

For one thing, with this issue... think about the size of public schools. Many have over 500 tudents. The government does not want to fund small neighbourhood schools.

Now consider the size of most religious schools. The PC's won't say it to start, but you can be certain these private schools will be forced to amalgamate, so their size matches the provincial standards.