This Book of Reports contains general information, reports of the committees and appendices for the Assembly and is divided into the following sections:

• General Information Concerning the Assembly: consists of information about things you will need for your preparation for the Assembly including commissioners list, agenda and daily schedules.
• Report Synopsis: contains each committee’s purpose, report summary and recommendations with concise preambles.
• Reports to the General Assembly: are the complete reports of the committees of the General Assembly. The reports provide details on the various activities and foci of the committees, along with comprehensive preambles to the recommendations.
• Appendices: includes background information concerning the General Assembly such as terms of reference and financial statements.
• Supplementary Material: are new reports and any revisions to the Assembly documents that will be prepared just before the Assembly

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Description:
At General Assembly in June, commissioners will vote on a series of recommendations related to repudiating (rejecting) the Doctrine of Discovery, a theological and legal principle from the 1400s that legitimized European colonization of non-Christian lands and peoples. During this webinar, Justice Ministries staff will answer questions about the Doctrine of Discovery, its influence on The Presbyterian Church in Canada’s ministry with Indigenous people, and what repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery means. This webinar is suitable for commissioners as preparation for General Assembly and to other members of the church who are interested in the PCC’s ministry of healing and reconciliation.

Downloads:

Repudiating the Doctrine of Discovery

Click here to watch “Doctrine of Discovery; Stolen lands, Strong Hearts” , a film by The Anglican Church of Canada about the history, legacy and current impacts of the Doctrine of Discovery.

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Facilitator: the Rev. Ian Ross-McDonald, General Secretary
Host: the Life and Mission Agency

Description:
In a response to a request from a congregation that the PCC endorse the Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth, this webinar will discuss the PCC’s study of the Statement, which will also be presented to the General Assembly in June. The Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth was developed by a national coalition of organizations concerned with the wellbeing of children. The study concludes that there is clear and compelling evidence that the physical punishment of children and youth plays no useful role in their upbringing and poses only risks to their development. Additionally, the General Assembly will be asked to consider requesting the Canadian Government to repeal Section 43 of the Criminal Code of Canada (which allows parents and teachers to use force to correct a child’s behaviour). This is in line with the 6th Call to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The text of the Joint Statement can be found at www.cheo.on.ca/en/physicalpunishment . The response to the overture can be downloaded below. Also available to download is a theological statement about the physical punishment of children and youth.

Downloads:

Endorsing the Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth

Theological Statement About the Physical Punishment of Children and Youth

Overture No 20 re: Endorsing the Joint Statement on Physical Punishment of Children and Youth

Watch the webinar