This Library contains documents from all recent United Church governance meetings, including General Council and its Executive. It will also soon include “Our Beliefs Explained” official policy documents dating back several decades. If you can't find something you think should be included, contact gcbusiness@united-church.ca.
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That the General Council, through the General Secretary, General Council, ask the Government of Canada, in particular the Ministry of Agriculture and Agrifoods, to carefully re-examine the proposals in Bill C-33 by conducting a comprehensive study of bio-fuel production which includes public consultations about the environmental and social impacts of bio-fuel production before establishing definite strategies with regard to mandating ethanol percentages in automotive fuels.
That the 40th General Council 2009 approve taking the actions requested in the following proposals, and direct the Executive of the General Council either: to take such actions; or where action is required by another body or officer, to oversee the implementation of such action.
That the 40th General Council 2009 direct the General Secretary, General Council, to urge federal, provincial and territorial governments to invest in wind and other forms of renewable energy immediately, in an amount comparable to other western nations.
Support the substitution of nuclear power with alternative more benign, forms of renewable non fossil fuel based energy and urge Federal, Provincial and Territorial governments in Canada, to stop funding for new nuclear plants and dedicate the funds to alternative forms of renewable energy that do not contribute new greenhouse gas emissions, and impact to ecosystems and community health
That the 40th General Council 2009: 1. Recognises that global warming is unequivocal, threatens the world as we know it, is largely and increasingly caused by human agency, requires a paradigm change, and must be tackled on a priority basis, with special attention to the poor and most vulnerable everywhere;
That the 40th General Council 2009 direct the General Secretary, General Council to develop a study resource to encourage and enable congregations to: become aware of the local planning process.
Using United Church of Canada policies and work at General Council and Conference levels as guidance and support, to introduce the theological and ethical reflection and history of involvement in nuclear issues that has lead the United Church to view nuclear fuel waste within · the complex of problems in nuclear fuel production and use · the international problems of nuclear wastes, particularly with respect to Canadian exports · the risks of proliferation of military applications of radioactive materials · the question of the future of nuclear power
That the 39th General Council 2006: Through the General Secretary, General Council 1. That The United Church of Canada Water Mission Study be extended for an additional two years; 2. That The United Church of Canada continue, with KAIROS, to pressure the Federal Government to ensure equal access to clean water for all;
That the 39th General Council 2006: 1) Receive for information the report "Water: Life before Profit". 2) Direct that the report inform the purpose statement(s) to be developed by this General Council. 3) Affirm its conviction that water is a sacred gift that connects all life. Its value to the common good must take priority over commercial interests. Privatization turns a common good into a commodity, depriving those who cannot pay and further threatening local ecosystems.
That the 39th General Council 2006: Through the General Secretary, General Council, firmly call upon our federal government to declare water as a human right, support municipalities in keeping water in public control, and resist any attempts by the United States to increase exports of Canadian fresh water under the energy proportional sharing provisions of NAFTA.