moved for leave to introduce Bill C-243, an act to amend the Criminal Code (protection of child before birth).
Madam Speaker, congratulations on your ascending to the position of Acting Speaker. We all are very happy that you are in this post.
I am introducing two private members' bills today, both dealing with the Criminal Code. The first one deals with protection of the child before birth. This is not an abortion issue but deals with an extremely serious issue occurring in our country. It is the epidemic of fetal alcohol syndrome, fetal alcohol effects.
This bill is a last ditch resort and is an attempt to ensure that women who continue to take substances that are injurious to their unborn children can be put into a treatment facility against their wishes if necessary.
(Motions deemed adopted, bill read the first time and printed)