The Primate of the Anglican Church of Canada (referred to in older documents as the Primate of All CanadaCrockford's Clerical Directory1947-48 Oxford, OUP,1947, page 1327 or the Primate of Canada"Thirty-seven Welfare Organisations Ask Your Help!", Federation for Community Service. ca 1934-6.) is the primate of the Anglican Church of Canada and is elected by the General Synod of the Church from among a list of five bishops nominated by the House of Bishops. Since 1969, the role of diocesan (or metropolitan, assistant, suffragan or coadjutor) bishop is relinquished upon their election, as the Primate assumes the role of Chief Executive Officer of the National Church Office, which is located in Toronto. Additionally, the Primate serves as the President of the General Synod, the chair of the Council of General Synod and the chair of the House of Bishops. The Primate holds the title of Archbishop and is styled as "The Most Reverend (Name), Primate of Canada".
The Primate, while not holding the responsibility for a particular diocese, has a pastoral responsibility for the entire Anglican Church of Canada. This requires a great deal of travel throughout Canada and abroad. In addition to playing a significant administrative role, the Primate also has an important pastoral and educational role in the Church. Because the Primate does not have diocesan responsibilities, ordinations, appointments of clergy and confirmations are not a frequent part of primatial ministry. The Primate serves until age 70, or earlier resignation.
The Primate speaks in the name of the Anglican Church of Canada after consultation with, or in accordance with the policies of, the General Synod or the Council of General Synod. As well, the Primate often represents the Canadian Church in international and ecumenical partnerships and dialogues, including the Lambeth Conference, the Primates' Meetings of the Anglican Communion and at the World Council of Churches gatherings.
Shane Parker was elected the 15th primate by the 2025 General Synod of the church and installed on June 29, 2025, succeeding acting primate Anne Germond.
List of Primates There have been fifteen primates in the history of the Canadian church, including one acting primate:
Order Image Name Tenure Diocese 1stRobert Machray1893–1904 Rupert's Land2ndWilliam Bond 1904–1906 Montreal3rdArthur Sweatman 1907–1909 Toronto4thSamuel Matheson 1909–1932 Rupert's Land5thClarendon Worrell 1932–1934 Nova Scotia6th Derwyn Owen 1934–1947 Toronto7th Frederick Kingston 1947–1949 Nova Scotia8thWalter Barfoot 1949–1959 Edmonton and Rupert's Land9thHoward Clark 1959–1971 Edmonton and Rupert's Land10thTed Scott 1971–1986 Kootenay11thMichael Peers 1986–2004 Qu'Appelle12thAndrew Hutchison 2004–2007 Montreal13thFred Hiltz 2007–2019 Nova Scotia14thLinda Nicholls 2019–2024 Huron–Anne Germond(Acting) 2024–2025 Algoma15thShane Parker 2025–present Ottawa
References
External links
Primate's webpage on the Anglican Church of Canada website