Canada: NDP call for booze warning

by Barry Artiste | October 26, 2007 at 05:03 am

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Opinion

Barry Artiste, Now Public Contributor

Though Fetal Alcohol Syndrome is a serious issue, The political left party in Canada, the New Democratic Party feel we need more warning labels on alcohol. Do we really need more labelling on alcohol warning of the dangers? Seems pretty pointless, unless you have been living under a rock or Mormon? Hell, even Red Bull a non alcoholic drink gives a disclaimer.

My Final Thought

I guess NDP navel gazers have nothing better to do than once again waste taxpayers money on a "Moot issue" as warnings usually follow most alcohol advertisments everything from MADD to Drink Responsibily. Another case of too much NDP interfering with the obvious thinking Canadians are complete Idiots and need protecting.

All bottles of booze in Canada should include labels warning of potentially harmful consequences, according to an NDP MP and a fetal alcohol syndrome group.

New Democrat Judy Wasylycia-Leis and the Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Group of Ottawa called on the federal government to impose the rule in order to prevent more children from being born with brain injuries that will impair them for life.

"Simple, cost-effective means to get a warning out to all women that when you drink, if you're pregnant, it could lead to birth defects, specifically fetal alcohol syndrome or fetal alcohol spectrum disorder," said Winnipeg North MP Wasylycia-Leis.

She introduced a motion in the House yesterday calling for labels not only warning pregnant women, but also warning that drinking alcohol "impairs your ability to drive a car or operate machinery, and may cause health problems."

A similar motion introduced by Wasylycia-Leis six years ago passed overwhelmingly, but subsequent governments have rejected the request.

A Health Canada spokesperson said several similar private members' bills have not been supported by the government for various reasons.

"First, unlike tobacco, alcohol is not always harmful," states a departmental e-mail. "Second, alcohol beverage containers are often not seen by the consumer, for example, when a drink is poured in a restaurant or bar."