The Anglican Church of Canada Logo

Supporting the North

Leaders of hope, people of hope

The Council of the North brings together Anglican dioceses and ministries serving northern and remote regions of Canada. From the Arctic to Labrador, bishops and leaders walk with communities where distance and limited resources make ministry both challenging and deeply meaningful.

On This Page

    The Council of the North exists to respond to God’s call to mission and ministry in Canada’s northern and remote regions. Its work includes:

    • providing pastoral and sacramental care in remote communities
    • sharing resources, learning and prayer across dioceses
    • supporting ministry through General Synod grants
    • encouraging Indigenous leadership and ministry

    The Council meets regularly to share joys and struggles, strengthen one another and discern how best to serve God’s people in these unique contexts.

    • Council membership

    All bishops from the northern dioceses, together with the Treasurer of the General Synod, form the Council. Dioceses include:

    • The Arctic
    • Athabasca
    • Brandon
    • Caledonia
    • Eastern Newfoundland and Labrador*
    • Indigenous Spiritual Ministry of Mishamikoweesh
    • Moosonee
    • Saskatchewan
    • Territory of the People
    • Yukon

    * non-voting/non-funded

    Bishop Rachael Parker (Brandon) chairs the Council and welcomes questions or interest in supporting ministry in northern communities.

    Northern life and ministry

    See More

    A presence of hope

    Ministry in the North is a ministry of presence—offering care in times of hope and hardship alike. From training new leaders to sustaining youth and elders to accompanying communities in grief, the Council helps keep the Church present in places far from Canada’s centres of strength.

    Donations are welcome by cheque to: The Anglican Church of Canada (“Council of the North” in the memo line), 80 Hayden St, Toronto, ON, M4Y 3G2.

    Engage with the Council

    Resources are available for parishes and individuals to learn about northern ministry and support the Council’s mission:

    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.