Handbook of the General Synod

20th edition, published 2025

The Handbook of the General Synod is the official manual for how the Anglican Church of Canada governs itself nationally. It includes the Church’s Constitution, canons and procedures and outlines the roles of General Synod members, officers, executive council and committees.

Table of Contents

• Mission Statement
• Glossary of Terms
• Declaration of Principles
• Constitution of the General Synod
• Rules of Order and Procedure

Canons of the General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada

Canons are rules approved by a governing body that define how decisions are made, establish expectations for members and officers and help to maintain order and accountability.

• Canon I Name of the Church
• Canon II Corporate Seal
• Canon III The Primate
• Canon IV Reception and Recognition of Clergy From Churches in Full Communion with the Anglican Church of Canada
• Canon V Archives
• Canon VI Financial Management
• Canon VII Missionary Society
• Canon VIII General Synod Pension and Benefit Plans
• Canon IX Lay Retirement Plan
• Canon X Reserved
• Canon XI Anglican Book Centre
• Canon XII Continuing Education Plan
• Canon XIII Reserved
• Canon XIV The Book of Common Prayer
• Canon XV The Ecclesiastical Province of Ontario
• Canon XVI The Ecclesiastical Province of British Columbia
• Canon XVII The Licensing of Clergy
• Canon XVIII Discipline
• Canon XIX Relinquishment or Abandonment of the Ministry
• Canon XX The Supreme Court of Appeal
• Canon XXI On Marriage in the Church
• Canon XXII The National Indigenous Ministry
• Canon XXIII The Bishop Ordinary to the Canadian Armed Forces

Appendices

• Appendix A Guidelines for the Conduct of a Primatial Election
• Appendix B Standing and Coordinating Committees — Terms of Reference
• Appendix C The Anglican Journal
• Appendix D Council of the North
• Appendix E Anglican Council of Indigenous Peoples
• Appendix F Policy on Open Meetings in The Anglican Church of Canada; Policy on Closed Meetings in the Anglican Church of Canada: Guidelines for Telephone and Electronic Meetings
• Appendix G Nominating and Election Procedures
• Appendix H Regulations of the Financial Management Committee for its Subcommittees
• Appendix I Terms of Reference for Committees of the Council of the General Synod
• Appendix J Recipients of the Anglican Award of Merit
• Appendix K Corrections and Alterations to Legislation Made by the Handbook Committee
• Appendix L Legislation Awaiting Second Reading in 2025
• Appendix M Confidentiality
• Appendix N The Anglican Communion
• Appendix O Anglican Foundation of Canada
• Appendix P The Primate’s World Relief and Development Fund
• Appendix Q Judgment of the Supreme Court of Appeal
• Appendix R Churches in Full Communion with the Anglican Church of Canada
• Appendix S Legislation Respecting the General Synod
• Appendix T Historical Notes
• Appendix U Sessions and Officers of the General Synod