Bill 206 - requiring fetal alcohol warning labels on alcoholic beverages - is opposed by the NDP

Yesterday in the legislature, Bill 206 - an act introduced by Kevin Lamoureux and myself reached second reading. At this stage there is debate on the bill.

Bill 206 provides for warning labels on alcoholic beverages with respect to the risk of fetal alcohol syndrome. It also requires signs to be placed where alcoholic beverages are sold to provide warning of the effects of fetal alcohol syndrome. These two measures are already in place in other jurisdictions and have been shown to be effective.

Fetal alcohol syndrome and the broader category of fetal alcohol spectrum disorders (FASD) are the leading cause of developmental disability among Canadian children. FASD includes a variety of physical and mental changes including growth deficiency before and after birth, brain dysfunction causing learning disabilities and changes in facial features.

Last year, approximately 14,000 children were born in Manitoba. It is estimated that there were 140 children born with FASD. This compares with about 14 children born with Down's syndrome. It is time to pass this bill and help prevent FASD. Please lend your support to this effort by emailing your MLA.

Sadly, Kerri Irvin-Ross, speaking for the NDP, spoke in opposition to this bill. Her view is misguided, and will only lead to more children being born with FASD, when it could have been prevented. We need your help now to help change her mind now, or to defeat Ms. Irvin-Ross in the next provincial election.

You can see the full text of this bill at http://web2.gov.mb.ca/bills/sess/b206e.php