The candidate of the Conservative Party of Quebec (PCQ) in the riding of Laval-des-Rapides, Nicolas Lussier-Clément, has already questioned the theory of evolution, which nevertheless represents a broad scientific consensus.
Updated yesterday at 7:37 p.m.
Developed by researcher Charles Darwin in his book The origin of species published on November 24, 1859, the theory of evolution refers to the transformations that occur in animals and plants over generations. It has been supported by several scientific researches and is taught in schools.
However, in 2017, during a conference organized by the Association des Académiques Chrétiens Francophones (AXIOME), of which Nicolas Lussier-Clément is still an active member according to the organization’s website, the latter seems to question it to several occasions.
“I don’t believe in the theory of evolution anyway, it’s against the law of thermodynamics, it doesn’t fit in my head”, he says clearly, towards the end of the conference which is still available online.
Nicolas Lussier-Clément then makes ambiguous remarks on science in general, in particular when he stipulates that “the scientist who believes in evolution cannot find the truth […] in a logical way”.
“Can we accept the idea that a brain created by a random process can allow us to seek the truth? The only thing that brought the brain, if you take evolution, is survival! However, survival does not seek the truth”, he also mentions during the conference entitled “The God who is: above science (the Cosmological Argument of Kalam)”.
In an interview Thursday evening, Nicolas Lussier-Clément maintained his position mentioned in the 2017 conference. Regarding the fact that the theory of evolution is taught in schools in Quebec, he said: “It doesn’t bother me that it is taught, but that it is taught as a truth, yes. In fact, it is a theory, so to say that it is a theory is correct”.
A few hours before the first debate of the leaders of the campaign, the PCQ had also not answered our questions.
His LinkedIn page indicates that Nicolas Lussier-Clément holds a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering.
With Mylène Crête, La Presse