In what may prove to be the first test of freedom to publish a Canadian book on the Internet, in October 2003 this e-zine will host the launching of "In Memory's Eye", a memoir of thirty-five years in the Canadian House of Commons, by former Editor of Debates, John Ward.

Written from the perspective of a Hansard reporter and editor who had a unique perspective on Members, Ministers, Speakers, and on some of the most historic events in Parliament from the 1960s to the early 1990s, it is offered in the hope that it may inspire student groups to undertake research into the lives of local parliamentarians whose contributions to the evolution of Canada, socially, economically, culturally, and politically, are already in danger of being forgotten.

Men and women who gave of themselves in the service of their country, many in the back benches throughout most of their careers, populate the pages of the book. Party leaders and Canadian statesmen have their lives catalogued in histories and biographies. What "In Memory's Eye" does is give a human face to politicians of all classes through a series of vignettes.

The photographs in the book are reproduced from the House of Commons web site. When copyright permission was sought to include them in his book, Ward was told that in the case of deceased Members he would have to contact their estates, a task that could stretch into years.

Years are something he does not have. Therefore, if the heirs or estates of those whose photographs appear in the book object, those photographs will be removed immediately.

The book will appear in monthly serial form.

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