Mr. Speaker, fetal alcohol syndrome is the leading cause of preventable birth defects in Canada. Among other things it causes devastating neurological damage. With an average IQ of 68 most of these children cannot function in school. Many run afoul of the law and it is estimated that half the people in jail have FAS or FAE.
Yesterday the justice minister glibly suggested that this was Manitoba's problem. This is everybody's problem.
Today I challenge the Minister of Justice to meet with her provincial counterparts to amend the Mental Health Act so that a woman can be placed in a treatment facility if she wilfully consumes substances that will damage her unborn child.
This is not an abortion bill. This is a bill to prevent children from being poisoned so that they too can have a fair chance in life.