Following a recent board meeting, the Audit Bureau of Circulations announced it would give more autonomy to its Canadian division by expanding its Canadian committeee by six members (three publishing executives, three media buyers) and writing separate articles and rules for all Canadian publishing divisions. Canada-specific rules already exist for newspapers.

ABC also announced that its 2009 annual conference, originally scheduled for Toronto in November, has been cancelled.

“We’re disappointed to postpone this year’s conference, but it’s the right thing to do in the difficult economic environment all businesses are faced with,” stated Mike Lavery, ABC’s president and managing director. “Many of our member organizations are under widespread travel and budget limitations, and are trimming discretionary expenses such as attending industry conferences. The board made its decision now, early in the year, so ABC members can plan and budget accordingly.”

The 2010 conference will take place in Toronto, ABC stated.

ABC’s definition of a paid digital edition has also been expanded to include “nonreplica” editions, “where the basic identity and content are similar to the printed edition but the articles and advertising may differ.”