FREDERICTON – The Green caucus has been repeatedly calling for preventative health measures to be adopted for alcohol use, and now the Auditor General has found that NB Liquor has failed to promote the responsible consumption of alcohol in New Brunswick as required under the NB Liquor Act. 

“The Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Centre of Excellence in Moncton estimates that 200 children experience prenatal exposure to alcohol annually.  The resulting brain damage can occur long before a person knows they are pregnant.  There is no cure, so public education campaigns are the only way of preventing this lifelong disability.  NB Liquor is failing women and children in its public mandate,” said David Coon, Green Party leader and MLA for Fredericton-South

 When asked by the Auditor General what public education campaigns existed around health and safety risks related to alcohol, NB Liquor expressed concern it may appear hypocritical for advising against alcohol consumption while also selling it.   Coon was appalled that NB Liquor would shirk its responsibility to discourage people from consuming alcohol while pregnant or planning to get pregnant.

“As a Crown Corporation, NB Liquor has a legislated obligation to ensure its customers are aware of the health and safety risks related to alcohol consumption.  Failing to do so is contributing to the incidence of Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD), leaving children with lifelong physical, cognitive, learning, social and behavioural challenges that are entirely preventable,” said Coon.

For more information about the effects of FASD, please visit the FASD Centre of Excellence website.