The Anglican Church of Canada

Anglicanism came to Canada with the early explorers such as Martin Frobisher and Henry Hudson. Continuous services began in Newfoundland about 1700 and in Nova Scotia in 1710. The first Bishop, Charles Inglis, was appointed to Nova Scotia in 1787 The Anglican Church of Canada includes a large number of the original inhabitants of Canada (Indians, Inuit and Metis) and has been a strong advocate of their rights.

The Anglican Church of Canada has enjoyed self-government for over a century since 1893 and is an autonomous member of the worldwide Anglican Communion. The Church also has a strong international role in development and disaster relief through the Primate's World Relief and Development Fund (PWRDF). The General Synod, which normally meets triennially (next meeting 2010), consists of the Archbishops, Bishops and elected clerical and lay representatives of the 30 dioceses. Each of the Ecclesiastical Provinces— Canada, Ontario, Rupert’s Land and British Columbia— is organized under a Metropolitan and has its own Provincial Synod and Executive Council. Each diocese has its own Diocesan Synod.