moved for leave to introduce Bill C-569, An Act respecting the establishment of a National Strategy for Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder.
Mr. Speaker, I rise today to table this bill on behalf of many of my constituents and other families across Canada who have been affected by FASD on some level.
I would particularly like to recognize Dave and Margie Fulton, Marilyn Leiterman and Elspeth Ross, who have worked countless hours to improve the lives of affected families and to reduce the occurrence of FASD in our society.
FASD takes an enormous toll upon families, communities and governments. FASD is a serious but entirely preventable,public health issue. A federal strategy designed at prevention and treatment of FASD is long overdue. This bill, if passed, will ensure that such a strategy is finally put into place.
As I did with Bill C-532, my first piece of legislation on this matter, I encourage all members who have the opportunity to put forward a bill for debate before the next election to strongly consider adopting this bill, making it their own, so that we can move forward on this matter as quickly as possible.
Working together, we can make a difference.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)