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By Allison Jones, The Canadian Press

TORONTO - Ontario's Liberals brought "The War on Science" to the legislature Thursday, using the National Geographic cover story to mock a Progressive Conservative who doesn't believe in evolution landing them in some hot water with the Speaker.

As the opposition parties demanded answers on allegations on ongoing police investigations into the governing party, Liberal members brandished copies of the magazine on their desks and some shouted heckles about the Tory backbencher's anti-evolution stance.

"I really do want to take this opportunity to congratulate the Ontario PC Party on being the cover story of the current issue of National Geographic magazine," said Deputy Premier Deb Matthews.

Props are not allowed in the house and Speaker Dave Levac reminded MPPs that it was his job "to try to reach some decorum" in the legislature.

"I'd like all members to be helpful with that," he said and later ordered the sergeant-at-arms to take away Matthews's copy of the publication.

The Liberal stunt was aimed at Progressive Conservative Rick Nicholls, who stunned the legislature on Tuesday when he suggested that evolution should not be taught in school. On Wednesday, he surprised even some of his Tory colleagues when he said, "I don't believe in evolution."

The opposition parties accused the Liberals of making fun of Nicholls's personal beliefs as a way to deflect attention from their ongoing scandals three of which are under provincial police investigation, including allegations the Liberals offered a job or appointment to a Sudbury candidate to step aside in a recent byelection.

Matthews said her comment was lighthearted and not an attempt to distract from the Sudbury allegations.

"I think it is a serious issue that there are members of the legislature that reject science and reject the notion that science be taught in schools, but the technique was just a little bit of fun," Matthews said after question period.

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Liberals use magazine to mock Tory MPP