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Past meetings of the General Synod

Fifteen robed bishops pose outside Trinity College.
Bishops pose outside Trinity College at the 1893 General Synod in Toronto, Canada. General Synod Archives (P7565-161, 1893)

Since 1893, the General Synod has brought together bishops, clergy and lay members from across Canada to make decisions that shape the national life of the Anglican Church of Canada. Meetings have usually followed a three-year cycle (triennium), with longer gaps during world wars, the Great Depression and other extraordinary circumstances. From 1965 to 1977 the General Synod met every two years, before returning to a three-year cycle in 1980.

In 1955 the Church officially changed its name from the Church of England in Canada to the Anglican Church of Canada. Starting in 1980 each meeting of the General Synod has also had a chosen theme. The list below shows every meeting, where it was held and, from 1973 onward, its theme.

  • 2025: 44th Session, London, Ont., “They will soar on wings like eagles” (Isaiah 40:31)
  • 2023: 43rd Session, Calgary, Alta. (joint assembly w/ELCIC), “Let there be greening”
  • 2019: 42nd Session, Vancouver, B.C., “I Have Called You By Name” (Isaiah 43:1)
  • 2016: 41st Session, Richmond Hill, Ont., “You Are My Witnesses”
  • 2013: 40th Session, Ottawa, Ont. (joint assembly w/ELCIC), “Together for the love of the world”
  • 2010: 39th Session, Halifax, N.S., “Feeling the Winds of God – Charting a New Course”
  • 2007: 38th Session, Winnipeg, Man., “Draw the Circle Wide. Draw it Wider Still”
  • 2004: 37th Session, St. Catharines, Ont., “See I am making all things new” (Revelation 21:5)
  • 2001: 36th Session, Waterloo, Ont., “Towards Healing, Reconciliation and The New Life”
  • 1998: 35th Session, Montreal, Que., “Lift Every Voice”
  • 1995: 34th Session, Ottawa, Ont., “Prepare the Way” (Isaiah 40:3)
  • 1992: 33rd Session, Toronto, Ont., “For You and For Many”
  • 1989: 32nd Session, St. John’s, N.L., “Launching Out”
  • 1986: 31st Session, Winnipeg, Man., “Ministry, Mission, Called and Sent”
  • 1983: 30th Session, Fredericton, N.B., “Rejoice/Rejouissez-vous” (Romans 5:1-5)
  • 1980: 29th Session, Peterborough, Ont., “We Being Many Are One Body in Christ”
  • 1977: 28th Session, Calgary, Alta., “Covenant in Creation : L’Alliance en Création”
  • 1975: 27th Session, Quebec, Que., “Together in Christ – Rencontre en Christ”
  • 1973: 26th Session, Regina, Sask., Quality of Life and Community; Quality of Faith; Quality of Ministry; Quality of the Church
  • 1971: 25th Session, Niagara Falls, Ont.
  • 1969: 24th Session, Sudbury, Ont.
  • 1967: 23rd Session, Ottawa, Ont.
  • 1965: 22nd Session, Vancouver, B.C.
  • 1962: 21st Session, Kingston, Ont.
  • 1959: 20th Session, St. Anne de Bellevue, Que.
  • 1955: 19th Session, Edmonton, Alta.
  • 1952: 18th Session, London, Ont. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1949: 17th Session, Halifax, N.S. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1946: 16th Session, Winnipeg, Man. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1943: 15th Session, Toronto, Ont. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1937: 14th Session, Halifax, N.S. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1934: 13th Session, Montreal, Que. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1931: 12th Session, Toronto, Ont. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1927: 11th Session, Kingston, Ont. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1924: 10th Session, London, Ont. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1921: 9th Session, Hamilton, Ont. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1918: 8th Session, Toronto, Ont. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1915: 7th Session, Toronto, Ont. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1911: 6th Session, London, Ont. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1908: 5th Session, Ottawa, Ont. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1905: 4th Session, Quebec, Que. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1902: 3rd Session, Montreal, Que. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1896: 2nd Session, Winnipeg, Man. (as the Church of England in Canada)
  • 1893: 1st Session, Toronto, Ont. (as the Church of England in Canada)

Acknowledging the land and God’s creation

This acknowledgement is crafted in light of the Principles of Reconciliation by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, as we seek to live faithfully in Christ and in right relationship with all. 

We give thanks to the Creator for this land, its waters, forests and all living beings, and for the abiding presence of Christ among us. From coast to coast to coast, these have been cared for and nurtured by First Nations, Inuit and Métis through countless generations. 

We honour the enduring relationship Indigenous Peoples have cultivated with these lands and waters, and the treaties and agreements that reflect these sacred bonds. We acknowledge the harms caused by colonial expansion, through frameworks like the Doctrine of Discovery and structures like the residential school system. We recognize our past failures as a Church, including disruption of connections to the land and suppression of Indigenous spiritualities. 

Guided by the gospel of Jesus Christ, we confess our need for healing. We commit ourselves to seeking truth, pursuing reconciliation and nurturing harmony with all creation. We place our trust in Christ, through whom all things are reconciled to God. 

May God strengthen us to live faithfully as stewards of the Earth. Let us walk in love, justice and reconciliation, joining in God’s work to restore all creation.