Introduction: Question: How can the Cochrane Collaboration and the Cochrane Library be promoted and supported in a country with a population of 30 million people spread across 10 million square kilometers? Historical Background: A Network of 16 Sites was established in 1993 in all of the academic health sciences centres across Canada. The Sites were created to support the achievement of the Canadian Cochrane Network and Centre's (CCN/C) mission of fostering evidence-based health care by identifying and supporting individuals in Canada who wish to become involved as reviewers, and, effecting appreciation, dissemination and application of systematic reviews of health care interventions. Affiliate Representatives from 12 national professional organizations have been added to the Network to include consumer involvement and the participation of other health professional groups. The Canadian Cochrane Centre (CCC) provides funding to each Network Site to support their activities. Network Activities: The members of the Network meet on an annual basis to report on their activities and to discuss the future direction of the Canadian Cochrane Network and Centre (CCN/C). In ways appropriate to their regions, the Site Representatives inform target audiences about the Cochrane Collaboration, ensure access to the Cochrane Library, recruit and support reviewers, and encourage the dissemination and use of Cochrane reviews. Next Steps: To strengthen the Network in 1999, Site Groups will be established to include regional representation of consumers and various health professions. These Site Groups will support and extend the work of the existing Site Representatives.

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Discussion: Without the Network, it would be difficult, if not impossible, to support the mission of the Cochrane Collaboration in Canada.