proof of liability or guilt. The bill was modeled after similar legislation in British Columbia, and was intended to allow medical professionals to apologize to patients without risking legal charges. It was passed into law with government support in November 2007, and formally took effect in February 2008. Gerrard has also called for a public inquiry into the New Democratic Party government's alleged role in failing to prevent the financial collapse of the Crocus Investment Fund. Following the 2007 election, he took part in an all-party delegation to Ottawa to argue for increased penalties against gang-related criminals and young car thieves. He has also called for a public review of appointees to the Manitoba Hydro Board, and has requested a plebiscite on the location of a power line from northern to southern Manitoba. In October 2007, he introduced a bill to ban retailers from using plastic bags by 2009. He also criticized the Doer government's decision to build a Manitoba Hydro Power line on the west side of Lake Winnipeg, and called for the public to be directly consulted on the issue through non-binding referendums. He called for a provincial moratorium on taser use in 2007, following increased concerns about its safety. Other Despite his background as a Chrétien supporter, Gerrard was reported to have endorsed Paul Martin's bid for the federal Liberal Party leadership in 2003. He supported Gerard Kennedy's bid in 2006. Gerrard released a history of the Manitoba Liberal Party in 2006, entitled Battling for a Better Manitoba. A Winnipeg Free Press reviewer described the book as "a generally readable—though sloppy—account of one of the three provincial parties", adding that the book "perhaps should not have been published in its current state". Electoral record All electoral information is taken from Elections Canada and Elections Manitoba. Provincial expenditures refer to candidate expenses. References External links Jon Gerrard's blog 1947 births Canadian pediatricians Liberal Party of Canada MPs Living people Manitoba Liberal Party MLAs Manitoba political party leaders McGill University Faculty of Medicine alumni Members of the 26th Canadian Ministry Members of the House of Commons of Canada from Manitoba Members of the King's Privy Council for Canada University of Minnesota alumni University of Saskatchewan alumni