Mr. Speaker, I should emphasize for the hon. member that Bill C-72, which has now been approved by Parliament and proclaimed in force, is the law of the land.
I would simply point out that no such criminal law amendment is retroactive, so it would not affect a case that arose in the courts prior to its enactment. The case to which the hon. member referred is proceeding on the law as it stood before Bill C-72.
I can assure the hon. member that the enactment of Bill C-72 did in fact change the criminal law in this country. It made it impossible from that date onward for anybody to rely upon their own act of intoxicating themselves to escape the consequence of criminal conduct when it involved violence against another and general intent.