Here’s a brief follow-up to Anne McIlroy’s article about the Canadian federal science minister’s evasion of a question about his acceptance of evolution.

Now he says,

We are evolving every year, every decade. That’s a fact, whether it is to the intensity of the sun, whether it is to, as a chiropractor, walking on cement versus anything else, whether it is running shoes or high heels, of course we are evolving to our environment. But that’s not relevant and that is why I refused to answer the question. The interview was about our science and tech strategy, which is strong.

He’s not talking about evolution as it is understood by scientists.

I can understand why Goodyear says such things. He has no real understanding of modern science. What almost bothers me more is the statement from Marc Garneau, the Liberal science critic, who was an astronaut.

It is a personal matter. It is a matter of faith.… I don’t think it prevents someone from being a good minister.

If this is the alternative, we are in very dire straights.