Mr. Speaker, I thank the member for his question on fetal alcohol syndrome. The consumption of alcohol during pregnancy is the leading known cause of mental retardation in Canada, period. It is incurable but it is preventable.
The member is quite right in that included in the budget is some $25 million dedicated to prevention and a reduction in the incidence of fetal alcohol syndrome. Seventy per cent of aboriginal persons live off reserve, so programs developed here will benefit all Canadians. Fifty per cent of pregnancies are unplanned. The basic message is that if pregnancy is possible, people should abstain from consuming alcohol, period. It is very simple.
Two years ago a national advisory committee on fetal alcohol syndrome was established by the Minister of Health. Consultations were held right across the country as to the most efficient and effective programs. That report is forthcoming and programs will be developed very soon. Funding announced by the government will be utilized to ensure that the programs will have the best possibility of being effective in reducing FAS in Canada.