Mr. Speaker, the government appreciated the support of all parties in respect of Bill C-72, which changed the criminal law in this country, as all hon. members know, to make it impossible for someone to rely upon their own self-induced intoxication as an excuse when they commit crimes of violence against another involving general intent.
The case to which the hon. member refers included acts that occurred at a trial that was held prior to the enactment of Bill C-72. Therefore, when the Supreme Court of Canada grants leave to appeal in that case it will consider that case in reference to the law as it stood at the time of the alleged acts. Bill C-72 will not have any application.
Carriage of that prosecution rests, of course, with the provincial attorney general. However, as the parliamentary secretary told the House yesterday, we are considering asking the Supreme Court of Canada to allow us to intervene. If we did so, it would be to provide whatever assistance we can to the court in deciding the issue presented by that particular case.