Mahsi, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, as the Minister of Safety and Public Services responsible for liquor control in the Northwest Territories, Mr. Speaker, we take the responsibility for the regulation of liquor very seriously and recognize that some northerners have made a personal choice to use liquor as part of their lifestyle.

However, we are committed to ensure that when liquor is sold people are aware of the health risks associated with these products and in many ways, our Liquor Commission does as much, if not more, to encourage awareness of FAS/FAE than any other liquor distribution agency in Canada.

Liquor stores also dispense booklets, available both in English and Inuktitut, about the responsible use of alcohol. We have the bags we put the liquor bottles in that have the warnings, we also have warning labels on the bottle itself. In addition, our liquor licensing office in Hay River is working with the operators of bars and dining lounges and other licensed premises to ensure that posters are in place in locations where people go to drink outside the home.

As well, the liquor licensing office makes staff available under any requests from licensees to conduct server intervention training, so that bar managers, doormen, bouncers, waiters, waitresses and other personnel in licensed premises are themselves aware of the risks associated with the use of alcohol. Part of the server intervention training program includes information about the risks associated with drinking during pregnancy, so that bar staff can encourage their clientele to use alcohol in a responsible manner.