Adopted in 1996

A. Preamble

WHEREAS the Uniform Law Conference of Canada was established to secure uniformity of legislation throughout Canada, especially for the purpose of facilitating commercial activity;

AND WHEREAS it has been recognized by the Conference and others that the harmonizing of legal principles throughout Canada is a desirable objective in areas of law in addition to that relating to commercial activity;

AND WHEREAS recent developments such as the adoption of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, Canada's entry into the North American Free Trade Agreement and Canada's more active participation in the work of The Hague Conference on Private International Law and other international bodies have heightened the significance of harmonization of laws as a national objective;

AND WHEREAS the constituent jurisdictions of the Uniform Law Conference, being Canada, the Provinces and Territories, deem it desirable that the Conference continue to serve them as an effective vehicle for facilitating and promoting harmonization of laws throughout the country;

AND WHEREAS the constituent jurisdictions wish to demonstrate their continuing commitment to the principle of harmonization of laws and to the Conference;

NOW THEREFORE Canada, the Provinces and Territories, through their respective delegates to the Uniform Law Conference of Canada, accept the following Constitution.

B. Mandate

The mandate of the Uniform Law Conference of Canada is to facilitate and promote the harmonization of laws throughout Canada by developing, at the request of the constituent jurisdictions, Uniform Acts, Model Acts, Statements of Legal Principles and other documents deemed appropriate to meet the demands that are presented to it by the constituent jurisdictions from time to time.

C. Structure

The Conference consists of the Civil Section, the Criminal Section and the Drafting Section that shall serve the mandate of the Conference in accordance with their respective areas of expertise.

D. Participation

Canada, the Provinces and Territories, being the constituent jurisdictions of the Conference, may appoint as many delegates as they wish to participate in the work of the Conference with each delegate being assigned to participate in one or more of the Sections. Only persons so appointed are eligible to take part in any vote of the Conference or a Section or to hold office in the Conference or a Section.

E. Governance

The activities of the Conference shall be administered by an Executive Committee to be established in accordance with By-laws to be adopted by the Conference. The activities of a Section shall be administered by a Steering Committee or an Executive Committee to be established in accordance with By-laws to be adopted by the Conference. Such Committees shall be vested by the By-laws with such powers and responsibilities, consistent with this Constitution, as are appropriate to enable the Conference and the Sections to carry out their mandates.

F. By-laws

The Conference may adopt such By-laws, consistent with this Constitution, as it considers appropriate to enable it to carry out its mandate. Each Section may adopt such By-laws, consistent with this Constitution and the By-laws and Statement os of Policy of the Conference, as it considers appropriate to enable it to carry out its mandate.

G. Statement of Policy

The Conference may adopt such Statements of Policy, consistent with this Constitution, as it considers appropriate to assist the constituent jurisdictions in understanding how the Conference functions and how they may enable the Conference to pursue its mandate most effectively, and for such other purposes as the Conference considers appropriate to enable it to carry out its mandate.

BY-LAWS

PART 1.-AUTHORIZATION

Section 1.

This By-law is made pursuant and subject to the Constitution approved by the constituent jurisdictions as of August 17, 1990 and amended as of August 11, 1996.

PART 2.-INTERPRETATION

Section 2.

In this By-law,

(a) "Civil Section" means the Civil Section of the Conference described in Part 3.

(b) "Conference" means the Uniform Law Conference of Canada;

(d) "Criminal Section" means the Criminal Section of the Conference described in Part 3;

(e) " Drafting Section" means the Drafting Section of the Conference described in Part 3;

(f) "Executive Committee" means the Executive Committee of the Conference described in subsection (1) of Section 10;

(g) "jurisdictional representative" means a person appointed under Part 4;

PART 3.-SECTIONS OF THE CONFERENCE

Section 3.

(1) The Civil Section consists of those persons appointed by the constituent jurisdictions and designated by them to participate in the activities of this Section.

(2) The Civil Section shall carry out the mandate of the Conference in relation to matters of law that fall outside the area of criminal law.

(3) The Criminal Section consists of those persons appointed by the constituent jurisdictions and designated by them to participate in the activities of that Section.

(4) The Criminal Section shall carry out the mandate of the Conference in relation to matters of law within the criminal law area.

(5) The Drafting Section consists of legislative drafters who are appointed by the constituent jurisdictions and designated by them to participate in the activities of the Civil Section or the Criminal Section.

Section 4.

(1) The Civil Section and the Criminal Section shall each have a Nominating Committee consisting of the following members:

(a) the most immediate Past Chairperson present at the annual meeting who shall act as chairperson of the committee;

(b) the President of the Conference; and

(c) at least three members of the Section selected by the chairperson of the committee in consultation with the jurisdictional representatives to the Section taking into account the regional and other interests represented in the Section.

(2) The chairperson of the Nominating Committee for a Section shall report to the Section the names of the members of the committee as soon as conveniently possible after the committee is constituted.

Section 5.

(1) A Nominating Committee under Section 4 shall present to the Section concerned its nomination to fill the position of Chairperson of the Section, provided, however, that other nominations may be made from the floor.

(2) The Chairperson of the Civil Section and the Criminal Section shall be elected for a term of one year and shall be eligible to be elected for one additional year.

(3) The Executive Director shall serve as Secretary of the Civil Section.

(4) The members of the Steering Committee of the Criminal Section shall appoint a member of the Section to serve as Secretary.

Section 6.

(1) There shall be a Steering Committee of the Civil Section consisting of the following members:

(a) the Chairperson of the Section who shall be the presiding officer;

(b) the immediate Past Chairperson of the Section;

(c) at least four delegates to the Section who shall be appointed by the Chairperson taking into account the regional and other interests represented in the Section; and

(d) the Chairperson of the Drafting Section or the nominee of that Chairperson.

(2) There shall be a Steering Committee of the Criminal Section consisting of the following members:

(a) the Chairperson of the Section who shall be the presiding officer;

(b) the immediate Past Chairperson of the Section; and

(c) at least four delegates to the Section who shall be appointed by the Chairperson taking into account the regional and other interests represented in the Section.

Section 7.

Each of the Steering Committees of the Civil Section and the Criminal Section shall have full authority, with the approval of its Section, to do all such consistent with the Constitution, this By-law and the Statements of Policy of the Conference, as it may consider appropriate to carry out the mandate of its Section, and in particular, shall,

(a) set the annual agenda of the Section;

(b) prepare a plan of legislative proposals consistent with the demands of the constituent jurisdiction.

(d) commission the undertaking of research in accordance with the Statement of Policy concerning use of the research fund;

(e) maintain liaison with the jurisdictions and any relevant committees and organizations concerning the affairs of the Section;

(f) establish such committees, including working committees, as it may consider appropriate;

(g) adopt policies and procedures governing the activities of the Section;

(h) in relation to its Section, amend, where appropriate, Uniform Acts, Model Acts, Statements of Legal Principles or their documents setting forth legislative proposals to remove ambiguities or to correct technical errors to conform to judicial decisions, or for other substantial reason; and

(i) provide instruction to the jurisdictional representatives of the Section.

Section 8

(1) The executive of the Drafting Section shall consist of the Chairperson, the Vice-Chairperson and the Secretary who shall be elected by the members of the Section for a term of two years and shall be eligible for re-election for one additional year.

(2) The Drafting Section shall, of its own initiative or at the request of the other Sections,

(a) assign drafters to working committees established by the Sections;

(b) consider matters in relation to the preparation of Uniform Acts, Model Acts, Statements of Legal Principles, and other documents by which the work of the Conference and the Sections is to be carried out;

(c) raise questions concerning the constitutional aspects and Charter implications of proposals being considered by the other Sections and seek advice concerning such matters for the benefit of those Sections; and

(d) undertake other projects in relation to legislative drafting as may be designed to advance the work of the Conference and the Sections.

PART 4. - JURISDICTIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

Section 9

(1) The Chairperson of each of the Civil Section and the Criminal Section shall invite each constituent jurisdiction to nominate one of its delegates to each such Section to be appointed as the Section's jurisdictional representative.

(2) On the advice of the Chairpersons the Steering Committees shall appoint the persons nominated under subsection (1) to be their Sections' jurisdictional representatives.

(3) The jurisdictional representatives shall represent and serve the interests of their Sections in their jurisdictions as requested by the Steering Committees which service shall include, among other things,

(a) organizing the jurisdictional delegations to the Sections in preparation for meetings of the Sections;

(b) ensuring that the work of the Sections is brought to the attention of appropriate members of the Cabinet and Deputy Ministers;

(c) promoting, monitoring and advancing the implementation of the Sections' work in the jurisdictions as may appear appropriate to meet the needs of the jurisdictions and the mandate of the Conference; and

(d) providing advice to relevant and interested bodies and individuals in the jurisdictions concerning the work of the Sections.

(4) The jurisdictional representatives shall meet annually with the Steering Committees of their respective Sections.

PART 5. - EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

Section 10

(1) The Executive Committee of the Conference shall consist of the President, the Vice-President, the immediate Past President and the Chairperson of each Section.

(2) The Executive Committee shall administer the affairs of the Conference and for that purpose shall have all of the powers and duties that are not assigned by this procedure to the Sections.

Section 11

(1) There shall be a Nominating Committee of the Conference consisting of

(a) the most immediate Past President of the Conference present at the annual meeting who shall act as chairperson of the committee; and

(b) at least four members of the Conference selected by the chairperson of the committee in consultation with the jurisdictional representatives taking into account the regional and other interests represented in the Conference.

(2) The chairperson of the Nominating Committee shall report to the Conference the names of the members of the Committee as soon as conveniently possible after the committee is established.

Section 12

(1) The Nominating Committee of the Conference shall nominate persons to serve as President and Vice-President; however, further nominations may be made from the floor.

(2) Only members of the Conference who are present at the annual meeting shall be eligible for election to the offices of President and Vice-President.

(3) The President and Vice-President shall be elected at an annual meeting of the Conference and shall serve for a term of one year.

PART 6. - OFFICE OF PRESIDENT

Section 13

(1) The President shall be the Chairperson of the Executive Committee and shall preside at meetings of the Executive Committee and at Plenary meetings of the Conference.

(2) In the absence of the President at a duly convened meeting of the Executive Committee or the Conference the Vice-President shall act as chairperson of the meeting.

(3) In the absence of the president and Vice President at a duly convened meeting of the Executive Committee of the conference the members present shall elect one of themselves to act as chairperson of the meeting.

(4) The President, or in the absence or inability of the President to act, the Vice-President shall,

(a) report on the work of the Conference annually to the Deputy Attorneys General and to such other groups or bodies as the Executive Committee directs;

(b) maintain liaison with the President or Chief Executive Officers of the Canadian Bar Association, the Federation of Law Societies, the Association of Canadian Law Deans, the Canadian Association of Law Teachers, the Federation of Law Reform Agencies, the Association of Law Foundations and such other national law related bodies as the Executive Committee directs;

(d) convene at least one meeting of the Executive committee annually other than at the time and place of the annual meeting of the Conference;

(e) supervise the activities of the Executive Director;

(f) seek contributions to any endowment fund as may be established by the Conference;

(g) preside at joint meetings of the Sections; and

(h) carry out any such other duties within the mandate of the Executive Committee as may be assigned to the President from time to time.

(4) The President shall be an ex officio member of all committees of the Conference or a Section established by or under this Procedure.

PART 7. - UNEXPIRED TERMS

Section 14

(1) Where the President is unable for any reason to complete a term the Vice President for the balance of the unexpired term.

(2) Where there is no Vice-President who can serve in accordance with subsection (1) the Executive Committee shall designate one of themselves to serve as president for the balance of the unexpired term.

(2A) Where the Vice-President is unable for any reason to complete a term as Vice-President, the Executive Committee shall designate one of themselves to serve as Vice-President for the balance of the unexpired term.

(3) Where the Chairperson of the Civil Section or the Criminal Section is unable for any reason to complete a term the Steering Committee of the Section shall designate one of themselves to serve the balance of the unexpired term.

(4) Where the Chairperson of the Drafting Section is unable for any reason to complete a term the Vice-Chairperson of the Section shall serve as Chairperson for the balance of the unexpired term.

(5) Service in an office in accordance with this section shall not render a person ineligible for election to that office upon the expiration of the term in question.

PART 8. - OFFICE OF EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Section 15

(1) The Executive Committee shall, consistent with the Conference's finances, appoint an Executive Director and such other staff as may be required to enable the Conference to carry out its mandate effectively.

(2) The Executive Director shall serve as Secretary-Treasurer of the Conference and shall perform the duties normally associated with those offices.

(3) In particular, the Executive Director shall,

(a) manage the Conference's office and supervise the work of the staff;

(b) assist the Executive Committee, the Section Steering Committees and other committees established by or under this Procedure in carrying out their responsibilities;

(c) jeep minutes of meetings of the Executive Committee, plenary sessions of the Conference, joint sessions of the Sections and such other meetings as the Executive Committee directs;

(d) handle correspondence by and with the Conference, the Executive Committee and such other committees established by or under this Procedure as the Executive Committee directs;

(e) maintain the files and records of the Conference;

(f) manage the financial affairs of the Conference and maintain its financial records and reports;

(g) supervise the publication of the annual Proceedings of the Conference; and

(h) assist the local organizers in preparing for and conducting the annual meeting of the Conference.

PART 9. - FINANCIAL MATTERS

Section 16

The Executive Committee may appoint annually a Budget and Finance Committee that shall,

(a) provide advice in relation to the financial aspects of the Conference's operation;

(b) review and report to the Conference on the audited financial statements;

(d) prepare a budget to be presented to the Executive Committee concerning the activities of the Conference for the next fiscal year; and

(e) perform such other duties as the Executive Committee directs.

Section 17

(1) The Conference, on the recommendation of the Executive Committee, shall from time to time determine and levy on each jurisdiction the annual assessments required to enable it to meet the financial obligations of carrying out its mandate.

(2) The annual assessments may vary from one jurisdiction to another.

Section 18

(1) The fiscal year of the Conference shall run from April 1st to March 31st of the following year.

(2) At each annual meeting the Conference shall approve an operating budget for that fiscal year.

Section 19

The Executive Committee may establish or cause to be established one or more endowment funds in support of the activities of the Conference.

PART 10. - ELIGIBLE PARTICIPANTS

Section 20

(1) To be eligible to attend a meeting of the Conference or a Section a person must be,

(a) a delegate to the Conference appointed by a constituent jurisdiction;

(b) a member of a committee attending the meeting in connection with the presentation of a report being made by that committee;

(d) a Past President of the Conference.

(2) The Conference or a Section may invite any person, whether a delegate to the Conference or not, to serve on a committee established by it.

Section 21

(1) To be eligible to vote at any meeting of the Conference or of a Section a person must be a delegate to the Conference appointed by a constituent jurisdiction.

(2) Each duly appointed delegate shall be entitled to cast one vote on any question at a meeting of the Conference or a Section to which the person is a delegate.

(3) Where so requested by a delegate, voting on any question at a meeting of the Conference or a Section shall be by jurisdiction in which case each constituent jurisdiction represented at the meeting shall be entitled to cast three votes.

PART 11 - BY-LAWS AND POLICIES

Section 22

(1) The Executive Committee may adopt By-laws and Statements of Policy concerning the Conference from time to time and may amend existing By-laws and Statements of Policy provided, however, that any such By-law, Statement of Policy or amendment shall cease to have effect if it is not ratified at the next meeting of the Conference.

(2) The Steering Committee or Executive of a Section may adopt procedures and policies concerning the Section from time to time and may amend existing procedures and policies provided, however, that any such procedure, policies or amendments shall cease to have effect if it is not ratified at the next meeting of the Section.

STATEMENTS OF POLICY

The following statements of Policy are made pursuant and subject to the Constitution approved by the constituent jurisdictions as of August 17, 1990, and the By-laws adopted under it. They are intended to be of assistance and guidance to the constituent jurisdictions, delegates, Steering Committees and the Executive Committee.

I. JURISDICTIONAL DELEGATIONS

It would be beneficial to the work of the Conference if the jurisdictional delegations were to be comprised of a variety of government lawyers, including legal advisors, legislative policy advisors, legislative drafters and public prosecutors, as well as law reformers, members of the private Bar, both civil and criminal, and members of the academic community. The Conference would welcome, as well, the attendance of members of the judiciary among the delegates.

The work of the Conference would be advanced considerably by the attendance and active participation of the Deputy Attorneys General. Such participation would serve to make the Conference a more effective agent of the jurisdictions.

It is recommended that the jurisdictions permit at least a core of their delegates to participate in the work of the Conference for a minimum period of three years. While it is desirable to have specialists attend on an occasional basis in relation to specific agenda items, there is considerable advantage to be derived from having a significant degree of continuity among the delegates.

In choosing government lawyers, it is recommended that the jurisdictions consider including lawyers from departments in addition to Departments of Justice, particularly where such lawyers have knowledge that relates specifically to current agenda items of the Conference.

II. JURISDICTIONAL REPRESENTATIVES

In choosing delegates to be nominated as jurisdictional representatives, it is recommended that the jurisdictions select persons who are likely to continue as delegates for a number of years and who are apt to have an interest in performing the duties of that office. The role of the jurisdictional representatives is viewed as being key to the future success of the Conference.

III. STEERING COMMITTEES

In selecting members for appointment to Steering Committees the Section Chairpersons should give consideration to such characteristics of the composition of the Sections as their jurisdictional make-up as well as the areas of professional expertise, including the two legal systems, represented.

IV. EXTERNAL LIAISON

Although the Conference is the only organization in Canada whose sole mandate is the harmonization of laws, there are other national, provincial and territorial bodies that share the Conference's interest in that matter and whose cooperation and advice would assist in the pursuit of the Conference's mandate. It would be in order and advisable for the Conference to identify such bodies and to establish and maintain appropriate relationships with them.

It is recommended, in particular, that the Conference establish, if possible, a formal mechanism with the Committee of Deputy Attorneys General to facilitate the obtaining of advice from that body concerning the Conference's agenda of projects and to advise the Committee of the results of the Conference's work. It would be beneficial if the President of the Conference were permitted to report an a regular basis to that Committee and occasionally, as well, to the Attorneys General in meeting.

In addition, it is recommended that the Conference explore with such organizations as the Canadian Bar Association, the Federation of Law Societies, the Law Reform Conference of Canada, the Canadian Legal Information Centre, the Association of Law Deans, the Canadian Association of Law Teachers, the Canadian Association of Law Librarians, provincial and territorial law associations and any other bodies who share the Conference's interest in the harmonization of laws, appropriate means by which they may make a contribution must, of course, be consistent with the Conference's essential character and status as an agent of the constituent jurisdictions.

V. DUALITY

In the development of legislative vehicles for promoting harmonization of laws, it is important that the Conference give due consideration to the bilingual character of Canada and the fact that two legal systems are to be served. In the preparation of both official languages of Uniform Acts, Model Acts or other legislative vehicles, the different linguistic approaches to the drafting of such documents should be taken into account.

As well, in those areas of the law where the fact of two legal systems having to be accommodated is important, the form of legislative vehicle best designed to facilitate the attainment of harmonization should be sought and utilized. The traditional reliance on the Uniform Act should be relaxed where appropriate.

It is appropriate, as well, that the extent of the services and documents provided by the Conference in English and French be expanded.

VI. ADMINISTRATIVE SERVICES

If the Conference is to be able to respond to the needs and demands of the constituent jurisdictions in a timely and efficient manner, it may be necessary to enhance its administrative resources. The Executive Committee should study the need for an enhanced administrative capability and, if necessary, bring forward recommendations.

VII. FUNDING

Adequate funding is required to support both the administrative and research activities of the Conference. It is anticipated that the administrative activities will continue to be funded by the annual assessments that are paid by the constituent jurisdictions. The setting of the annual assessments should be based on budgets created with the benefit of the information gathered in connection with the study of administrative services. Proposed increases in the annual assessments should be planned and approved with sufficient notice to the jurisdictions to permit them to be included in their budget processes.

The Conference's only source of research funds to date has been the federal Department of Justice. That has been adequate to date since little of the Conference's research has been done on a contract basis. Most of the research has been provided by the jurisdictions, including the law reform agencies. In addition to that very valuable input, it may be found that more frequent use of commissioned research will be required in the future to enable the Conference to respond in a more timely manner to the needs and demands of the jurisdictions. It is recommended that the Executive Committee identify other potential sources of research funds, such as the Law Foundations, and develop a policy in relation to the pursuit and utilization of such funding.

One of the major advantages of an enhanced and stable source of research funding would be the ability on the part of the Sections to engage in longer term planning regarding the projects to be undertaken. Although all projects should be undertaken in response to demonstrated interest on the part of the jurisdictions, not all of those interests and requests require that a result be produced within a year or less. The agendas may well include matters for which longer-term solutions may be entirely adequate. The freedom that an enhanced and certain research fund would give to the Sections to plan and control their agendas could be very beneficial to all parties concerned.

VIII. TERMS OF REFERENCE OF RESEARCH FUND (CANADA)

The Research Fund was established by a grant from the Government of Canada in the amount of $25,000.00 with annual contributions since then that have been declining in amount. The fund and annual grant are an outright grant to the Conference with the accumulated interest being the property of the Conference and applied to the General Account.

The purpose of the fund is to provide for research projects, as approved by the Executive Committee, with no other approvals required.

The following are the only guidelines applicable to the payment of monies from the fund:

1. all research projects must be approved by the Executive Committee on the recommendation of a chairperson of one of the Sections of the Conference or on the initiative of the Executive Committee;

2. a project may be approved by the Executive Committee involving research in any area of law including research with respect to an existing or proposed Uniform Act, Model Act, Statement of Legal Principles or other appropriate document;

3. that contracts for research work should be between the Conference and a researcher, to be prepared by the Executive Director and approved by the President, in close consultation with the jurisdiction or committee involved, and signed on behalf of the Conference by either the President or the Vice-President;

4. the Executive Committee may approve the payment of administrative expenses directly associated with a research project including travel, accommodation and meals all at the most economical rates, according to the per diem of the Government of Canada, supplies, secretarial expenses, and other expenses in relation to the project in order to ensure completion of he project, unless the Executive Committee has approved expenses at another rate;

5. the responsibility for supervising the research work, under the direction of the Steering Committee, is placed with the jurisdiction or committee that has the project in hand;

6. the President and Executive Director shall pay money out of the research fund upon being satisfied that the requests for money are in respect of an approved project and are at a rate authorized by these terms of reference;

7. it is an appropriate use of the research fund to pay for the printing of any product generated by a Section including the appendices to the Proceedings of the Conference and the production of pamphlet copies of Uniform or Model Acts, Statements of Legal Principles or other approved documents;

8. the Executive Committee may require the chairpersons of the Sections to submit a budget of research each year.

These terms of reference represent all terms of reference of the Research Fund and all previous terms of reference are repealed.

IX. WORKING COMMITTEES

Even if the Statement of Policy in relation to the composition of jurisdictional delegations is fully implemented, it will not be convenient, possible or necessary to include in those delegations all of the areas of expertise that may be relevant to a particular agenda item. In recognition of that fact, it is recommended that the Steering Committees in establishing working committees on specific projects invite participation by whatever persons and organizations are deemed to possess the requisite experience and expertise. Such organizations include, for example, the Canadian Bar Association, The Federation of Law Societies, the Federation of Law Reform Agencies, the Association of Law Deans, The Canadian Association of Law Teachers, The Canadian Association of Law Librarians and the Canadian Legal Information Centre. The invitation to participate in the work of the working committees may be very effective means of pursuing the policy of external liaison recommended in Statement of Policy IV.

X. PARTICIPATION BY CANADA

Canada has been an active participant in all three Sections of the Conference since they became established. Since criminal law falls within the authority of federal jurisdiction, Canada's interest and involvement in the activities of the Criminal Section has been obvious and essential. Canada's participation in the work of the Civil Section has, perhaps, been downplayed somewhat because the subject-matter of that Section's agenda is largely within the authority of the provinces and territories. it should be recognized, however, that the needs which are presented to the Civil Section are sometimes in areas where there is a shared interest, such as environmental and personal property security law. As well, the need for harmonization is sometimes driven by factors or activities in which Canada is a key player. Those include the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the North American Free Trade Agreement and the International Conventions to which Canada becomes a party.

It is to be anticipated that, in the future, more of the Conference's civil side activity will be generated by proposals originating with Canada and approved by the provinces and territories for reference to the Civil Section. It is to be anticipated, as well, that the participation of the Canadian delegates in the work of that Section and its working committees will be heightened. That is to be encouraged since the objective of the Conference is national in scope and should, therefore, reflect a viable partnership among the constituent jurisdictions.

XI. LIAISON COMMITTEE

The Joint Committee for Cooperation Between the Uniform Law Conference of Canada and the National Conference of Commissioners on Uniform State Laws exists to promote the harmonization of laws between the United States and Canada. That is seen as important to facilitate the international flow of goods, services, funds and people between the two countries. Although this area of activity has not received much attention by the Conference to date it is anticipated that will become increasingly important. Accordingly, it is recommended that the Liaison Committee be requested to encourage the development of an active agenda and that the Conference seek resources to support such an initiative.