(Angus Reid Global Monitor) - Roughly three-in-five adults in Canada side with the theory of evolution, according to a poll by Angus Reid Strategies. 58 per cent of respondents believe human beings evolved from less advanced life forms over millions of years.

Conversely, 22 per cent of respondents think God created human beings in their present form within the last 10,000 years, while 20 per cent are not sure.

Charles Darwin’s "The Origin of Species" was first published in 1859. The book details the British naturalist’s theory that all organisms gradually evolve through the process of natural selection. Darwin’s views were antagonistic to creationism, the belief that a more powerful being or a deity created life.

In November 2000, Canadian Alliance leader Stockwell Day—who currently serves as Canada’s public safety minister—said there is "scientific proof" that early man co-existed with dinosaurs. Day rejected criticism of his views, declaring, "If you’re looking for dinosaur politics, you need to look at the Liberals."

Canadians renewed the House of Commons in January 2006. The Conservative party—led by Stephen Harper—received 36.3 per cent of the vote, and secured 124 seats in the 308-member lower house. Harper leads a minority administration after more than 12 years of government by the Liberal party.

Last year, Ontario Progressive Conservative leader John Tory discussed his views on how creationism and evolution could be taught in the Canadian province’s schools, saying, "The Christian-based school would have to teach the Ontario curriculum, which of course has a different explanation. It’s still called the theory of evolution, but they teach evolution in the Ontario curriculum, but they could also mention to children the fact that there are other theories out there that are part of some Christian beliefs."

Polling Data

Which of these statements comes closest to your own point of view regarding the origin and development of human beings on earth?

Source: Angus Reid Strategies
Methodology: Online interviews with 1,007 Canadian adults, conducted on Jul. 29 and Jul. 30, 2008. Margin of error is 3.1 per cent.

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