The ad hoc planning committee needs to know the extent of interest in attending this conference to gauge whether it is feasible to proceed with serious planning. Should there be real interest, we will immediately seek hotels and meeting rooms and begin developing a programme and special events. Registration would be modest, in the neighbourhood of $100.00 Canadian, and we think we can secure reasonable accommodation near the University. The registration fee would support the conference and the publishing of many papers. We will also be seeking other funds for this international meeting.

We would also like to know if you would be willing to take an active part in the conference, by presenting a paper, participating in a panel, chairing a session or acting as a commentator. We realize that funding would be an issue for many at a distance from Toronto; however, at this stage it is your interest, willingness to participate and potential papers we need to hear about. Only this information will allow us to determine the best way forward.

Please notify the committee of your interest now and no later than April 13. We would be grateful if you would indicate if you are able to offer a paper - the specific topic is not at all necessary, but it would help us to know of the area of your research. Responding at this stage implies no commitment on your part, but we need to know more about the real interest in this event before we embark on serious planning.

To communicate your interest, please contact Heather MacNeil at hmacneil@interchange.ubc.ca, or Philip Eppard at pbe40@csc.albany.edu, or Barbara Craig at craig@fis.utoronto.ca.