We are being called to modify the timeline of one portion of the approved Total Compensation Review Proposal from the 45th General Council.

Between 1925 and 1969, The United Church of Canada operated a total of 15 institutions within the Indian Residential School system as part of the federal government's policy of assimilating Indigenous peoples.

The 44th General Council directed a total compensation study for ministry personnel in the pastoral relations system and for ministry personnel and lay employees in General Council and regional councils staff systems be undertaken, reporting back to the 45th General Council.

With the enactment of “Remit 4: Funding a New Model” (GC43 2018), the intention was for all pastoral charges to contribute to governance and shared services in a proportional and transparent way. Since the Denominational Assessment was introduced in 2019, six years of experience have shown that the current rate, based on the economic realities of that time, is no longer sufficient to support the full scope of responsibilities mandated by the Manual as of 2019.

In 2006, The United Church of Canada committed itself to becoming an intercultural1 church. In “A Transformative Vision for The United Church of Canada,” approved at the 39th General Council, the church declared that intercultural dimensions of ministries [will] be a denominational priority in living out its commitment to racial justice, where there is mutually respectful diversity and full and equitable participation of all Aboriginal, francophone, ethnic minority, and ethnic majority constituencies in the total life, mission, and practices of the whole church.”

The Pacific Mountain Regional Council (PMRC) is navigating a changing church landscape with resilience and strategic focus. Rooted in deep spirituality, bold discipleship, and daring justice, PMRC supports Affirming and First Third ministries, reconciliation, rural outreach, and emerging expressions of church. Key initiatives include leadership development, youth engagement, and innovative ministry models that prioritize sustainability and Spirit-filled vitality. While challenges such as volunteer capacity and structural strain persist, PMRC remains a hopeful, faithful presence, preparing for a vibrant future.

Western Ontario Waterways Regional Council (WOWRC) stretches from Grand Bend and Glen Morris in the South to Tobermory and Wyevale in the north and forms part of a Tri-Regional Council sharing staff and resources with Antler River Watershed and Horseshoe Falls Regional Councils in South Western Ontario. Since the last meeting of General Council, we undertook an evaluation of the effectiveness of our Tri-Regional Councils Governance and Staffing Models. Together, as a Regional Council we took time to engage with this evaluation in order to strengthen the work of the Regional Council in our stated purpose of “Supporting, Connecting, and Transforming”.

WHEREAS we affirm Jesus Christ as the life-giver of the world; and WHEREAS submarines may usually bear arms and arms bring death, not life; and WHEREAS the government of Canada has decided to buy a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines at an estimated cost of $8 billion dollars; and WHEREAS the Canadian Centre for Arms Control and Disarmament released a study on February 24, 1988, which concludes that building, staffing, hand operating these submarines could drive the total costs to between 12.5 billion dollars and 14.8 billion dollars

Life is a gift from God and elicits our respect, awe and reverence. We are one Earth community, one human family and we share one destiny. We cherish and respect the rich diversity of life and celebrate the beauty of the Earth. For us, as members of one family, love and caring are the basis of our relationships with one another and with nature. The Earth community is a sacred trust. We recognize God's call to live in harmony with this total community, to draw on the Earth's sustenance responsibly, and to care for it that all may benefit equitably now and in the future.

In The United Church of Canada, we see ourselves as a church rooted in justice and equality with a vision of Deep Spirituality, Bold Discipleship, and Daring Justice. Our roots flow from the social gospel tradition of bringing Christian responsibility to public influence. In many ways, we have been a model of equality. We were the first denomination to grant ordination to women and commissioning and ordination to people who are openly 2SLGBTQIA+. United Church ministry personnel come from different walks of life and many cultural backgrounds. And while our history includes the running of Indian Residential Schools, we have apologized, made reparation, and continue to work toward reconciliation.