Gerard Allard, Liberal candidate in St. James, featured in Winnipeg Free Press for his efforts on FASD

In a feature article "Cop turns candidate over FASD", our Liberal candidate Gerard Allard talks about his reason for looking to become the next MLA for St. James.

Constable Gerard Allard, a 24 year veteran of the Winnipeg Police Service, notes that "fetal alcohol spectrum disorder is clogging the court and correctional systems and the current approach is not working."  He adds "Pretty much everything we do as police has a component of individuals who have suspected or diagnosed FASD. The thefts, gangs, drugs, arsons - a good proportion of those people suffer from FASD... We have to be tough on crime, because there are bad guys out there, but a lot of people are bad because of circumstances, life circumstances."

For many years, I have been talking about the need to be much more effective in our efforts to prevent FASD in Manitoba.  Indeed one of the early interviews I did when I entered provincial politics was with Neil Strohschein, and I emphasized then the importance of addressing FASD and drastically reducing the incidence of FASD.   Under the NDP to date, there is sadly, no evidence yet of a reduction in FASD in Manitoba.  Gerard Allard put it more bluntly "FASD is entirely preventable and that's where the province has failed."  We need to be much bolder and much more effective.  As Gerard Allard highlights, tackling the FASD crisis in Manitoba will be a large part of our Liberal efforts to improve our situation in Manitoba and to reduce crime.  It is a good reason to vote Liberal on October 4th.

And, you should know a little more about Gerard Allard.  He was featured in a Dec 1, 2010 article in the Winnipeg Free Press for his efforts to coach hockey in Winnipeg's North End and to get kids involved in hockey instead of in crime.  As Gerard says "I practise crime prevention through social development. I love that stuff... believe in it," said Allard.    Gerard is a great guy.  Help him get elected so he can make a difference.  Join his Facebook site http://www.facebook.com/#!/GerardAllard2011 or visit Gerard's web site gerardallard@ca or email Gerard at electgerardallard@shaw.ca