Thank you Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the opportunity to make my statement first, as I will be leaving for a period of time to go to a funeral.

My statement today is in regards to fetal alcohol syndrome and fetal alcohol effects.

The Member from Yellowknife South, Mr. Henry, and myself have made several statements on this subject and just to refresh our memories individuals with FAS/FAE can be compared in social behaviours and cognitive impairments to persons with a closed head injury. Their handicaps are hidden.

Mr. Speaker, children with FAE typically have normal appearance but have predictable problems in school, community and home.

FAS/FAE are the most common cause of mental retardation in the United States and is a condition that cannot be outgrown. The brain damage lasts a lifetime but the manifestations and type of problems change with each age.

Mr. Speaker it is absolutely important to indicate that FAS and FAE are 100 percent preventable.

Under questioning in this House the Minister of Health and Social Services had indicated that he is willing to work with other groups to get a strategy in place for this government to be able to tackle this preventable problem.

In the spring, after that statement was made I met with the FAS Community Team in Yellowknife. And we agreed it would be good for them to develop a strategy that they could present to the Minister and to this House.

The Member for Yellowknife South, Mr. Henry, and myself met with this team the other day and they actually presented their strategy to us. They had to work hard over the summer and they are very proud of their achievement and I am also proud to say I played a small part in this.

Mr. Speaker, I would seek unanimous consent to conclude my statement.