This report, informed by U.S. policy on industrial schools, proposed the forceful assimilation of Indigenous people, through the removal of Indigenous children from the influence of their families. Davin promoted residential schools as the means to this end and advocated increased cooperation between the Canadian government and the churches.

Davin Report ‘Industrial Schools for Indians and Half-Breeds’ by Nicholas Flood Davin was commissioned by Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald; recommendations in this report led to the creation of government funded Industrial schools in Canada.