Advocates disappointed Yukon MP Ryan Leefs FASD bill dropped

Advocates for people with fetal alcohol spectrum disorder are disappointed Yukon MP Ryan Leef's private members bill won't be debated in this session of Parliament.

The bill would have allowed courts to considerFASDa mitigating factor in sentencingwhen a judge believedFASDwas a factor in a crime.

"Both the public and the government need to understand that its a disability,"says MichaelMcCann, the executive director of theFetalAlcohol Spectrum Society of Yukon.

"The resultant behaviours that come about as a result of the disability are not behaviours a person mayhave any control over,"McCannsays.

"Thereforedo you treat them the same way within the criminal justice system as you would someone who may havefull understanding and consciously havechosen to act in a certain way?"

Leef'sbill had been supported by the Yukon Party,NDPopposition and Yukon Liberals.

On Nov 26, Yukon Liberal leader Sandy Silver wrote to express dismay at the bill's dissolution.

"Itwas very disappointing to see what happened in Ottawa. Our Member of Parliament introduced a good piece of legislation; one that all parties in this assembly unanimously supported.

"It would have been a huge step forward for those who suffer fromFASDand who end up in our justice system. Unfortunately that bill is now dead and our MP didnt even put up a fight. The powers that be in the federal Conservative government decided for some reason they didnt want the bill to pass and now it will not."

Leefsaysthe bill wasn't dropped for ideological reasons.He says thegovernment brought forward many other debatesand his bill wasnt given a chance.

"When I assessed the amount of time left in the41stParliament, it just became very clear to me that the process would be impossible to get a private members bill through,"he said.

Instead, the issue ofFASDand its effects in Canadian society will be subject of a four-month discussion by a parliamentary committee.Leefsays it willincludeJustice, Public Safety and Status of Women committees.

"In very fundamental terms, I have withdrawn the bill. It will not proceed further,"Leefsays. "But I proposed an amendment that moves the subject matter to committee."

Leefsaysthe issue going to parliamentary committee will still "lead to concrete, measurable, and tangible action."

Hesays northern witnesses and experts could be called to Ottawa to discuss FASD.

"As soon as I get the nod from the Justice Committee, I know our stakeholders are ready to testify," he says.