While I was at the IMLA in Canada Seminar last week, we discussed the idea of a comparative law program with two potential topics. The Supreme Court of Canada recently determined that prayer at city council meetings violates the Charter and must be prohibited. About three months earlier, the Supreme Court of Canada struck down a law prohibiting public employee strikes (in some cases). I think it is fair to say that the law above and below the border should be worth exploring as to how the differences arise. To me one of the more interesting issues with the employee strike decision is that in part it is based on a Treaty to which both Canada and the US are signatories. I think it would make an interesting program. We're looking for speakers to write papers and deliver them at the Conference. Anyone who is interested, please let me know directly. The Canadians have created a scholarship fund and a submission for this topic may qualify but I leave it to the Canadian Department of IMLA to make that decision. While the Program Planning Committee has a pretty full schedule already set up for Vegas, let us know if you have ideas for programming you'd like to see. BTW, police issues are very much a part of the program already. Chuck Charles W. Thompson, Jr. Executive Director and General Counsel International Municipal Lawyers Association, Inc. 7910 Woodmont Ave., Suite 1440 Bethesda, Maryland 20814 202-466-5424 x7110 Direct: 202-742-1016 Cell: 240-876-6790 Plan ahead: IMLA's Annual Seminar April 24-27, 2015 - Omni Shoreham, Washington D.C. IMLA's Annual Conference October 3-8, 2015 - The Rio, Las Vegas, NV