Mr. Speaker, today I want to talk about a tragedy in our communities, in the Northwest Territories, because babies are born as fetal alcohol syndrome and this is very, very dangerous, especially for our caregivers, the grandparents and also the mothers and the fathers and the teachers, nurses, care workers who work very hard, especially fetal alcohol syndrome children and adults.

We know that this is very important because fetal alcohol syndrome brings many challenges which mean these children and adults need extra support from caregivers when they are born with alcohol syndrome and also the parents and the teachers and the nurses have to work very hard caring for these alcohol syndrome people.

Mr. Speaker, this is not a woman's problem. It is an issue that involves all members of a family and a community.

It is sad that families have to deal with the special needs and demands of fetal alcohol syndrome. These needs can test the spirit and try the soul of even the strongest and most loving parent or guardian.

It is sad that those with fetal alcohol syndrome will always struggle to cope with challenges that will make them different from their peers.

All these things are sad, but for me, they are not the worst thing, the worst tradegy. The real tragedy is that fetal alcohol syndrome does not happen by accident. The real tragedy is that fetal alcohol syndrome is 100 percent preventable.

As a government, as communities, and as individuals, we need to do what we can to stop fetal alcohol syndrome before it happens.

Thank you, Mr. Speaker.