On June 4, 1983 the task force appointed last year by the Regional Council of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association presented its report, This committee consisted of the Chairmen of four provincial branches and the federal branch of CPA. Their major recommendations regarding organization and financing of the association will be found on p. 30 of this issue.

The task force also carried out a study and evaluation of parliamentary publications. It noted that "favourable comments came in from all sides on the Canadian Parliamentary Review .... it is informative, and greatly appreciated by all parliamentarians, not only those who belong to the C.P.A.". The report encouraged the editors and Editorial Board to maintain the high quality of their publication.

These kind words were naturally appreciated by members of the Board but the editors wish to share the credit with the numerous contributors and correspondents across the country without whom the journal could never be published. In virtually every province or territory at least one member of the legislative staff has agreed to do articles, report on legislative activities, submit book reviews, referee articles and provide all kinds of facts, figures, photographs and other information requested by the editor, frequently on very short notice. This work is above and beyond their normal job requirements and during periods of intense legislative activity, it is probably done during weekends or evenings.

In Ottawa the Library of Parliament and the Parliamentary Relations Secretariat have each made one person available to work full time on the Review. Officials in the Table Research Branch of the House of Commons and the Journals Branch of the Senate prepare regular summaries of legislative activity. Other individuals or groups contribute on either an occasional or regular basis. Among the latter perhaps the most significant is the translation service.

In this issue we include an article by the Chief of Members Services of the House of Commons Translation Division. Their work tends to be taken for granted in Ottawa, yet is little known outside the national capital region. The requirement to publish the Review simultaneously in English and French certainly complicates our production process but the end result is a journal which allows authors to contribute in their own language and makes their articles readily available to members of the other language group who might otherwise never have the opportunity to become acquainted with them.

Intended mainly for parliamentarians, the Review is not strictly an "in house" journal. Over the years a number of professors, journalists and interested citizens have contributed. Their perspective adds another dimension which helps to explain why we are receiving more and more requests from outside the parliamentary community.

In recent issues we have introduced two new features. A column on "Speakers Rulings" is designed to bring to the attention of members interesting and relevant decisions in other legislatures. "What's in a Name" was also introduced to explain some unusual or obscure parliamentary terms. If these columns are to continue the editors will need even more ideas, information and contributions from the various Canadian assemblies. We have no doubt that such co-operation will continue.