Mr. Speaker, it is with a profound sense of disappointment that I stand here today to mark the one year anniversary of the passage of Motion No. 155, the motion on alcohol warning labels that received almost unanimous support from this parliament.
The passage of that motion a year ago today generated a great deal of excitement and hope. Many groups and individuals across the country had devoted years of time and energy to labelling as a step toward eradicating fetal alcohol syndrome and other preventable conditions caused by drinking alcohol during pregnancy.
Ten years after the health committee had called for labelling and after previous attempts in parliament had come to nothing, supporters of labelling thought we had finally succeeded in getting this small but significant preventive measure on the government's agenda. Government inaction has turned that optimism to disappointment and frustration. Despite assurances to the contrary it has chosen to ignore the issue, ignore the voice of parliament, appease the alcohol industry and take no action.
Today I urge the government to change course to make a difference for families, stand up for children and act on alcohol warning labels without further delay.