The 2026 diocesan Synod will elect three clergy delegates and three lay delegates to represent this diocese at General Synod.
The next General Synod is scheduled for May 8th-14th, 2028, in St. John's, Newfoundland. Those considering running as a General Synod delegate must be available to travel and attend on the chosen dates.
The General Synod of the Anglican Church of Canada is the chief governing and legislative body of the Anglican Church of Canada (ACC). The first General Synod session was held in Toronto in 1893. It is comprised of three orders: bishops, clergy and laity. All bishops and archbishops of the ACC are members of General Synod; clergy and lay delegates are elected from each of the church's twenty-nine dioceses and one territory, as well as the Canadian Forces and religious orders.
The General Synod is responsible for articulating the doctrine, discipline, and worship of the Anglican Church of Canada. During its regular meetings, which generally span a week to nine days, members exchange information, set policy for the church, pass resolutions, and enact and amend canon law.
Members of General Synod serve for one term (two years) and nominees may represent the diocese at a maximum of three concurrent synods.
Clergy (3)
Since my first synod as a youth delegate, electing James Cowan as Bishop, I have been a lover of Synods in our diocese. And now as a priest and Regional Dean of the North Island, who (God willing) will be in ministry for another 20-30 years, the future of this beloved church of ours is something that is near and dear to my heart.
While at General Synod 2025, the ‘Creating Pathways for transformational change’ document was discussed and accepted; and implementation was charged to the Council of General Synod (CoGS). Since then, I have been closely watching the work of CoGS and other national committees as they explore how to live into the recommendations of the Pathways document.
General Synod 2028 will hold recommendations and discussions for reimagining our church for the current world. This is an exciting time for the church and I feel called to be on the floor as motions and decisions are made and be part of the ongoing work that will ultimately shape our future as people of God, loved and beloved for years to come.
Taking part of the legislative work of the church has been a part of my ministry for a long time. I am passionate about this work because one of the ways that we live out our baptismal vows is through how we do things as a church in our governance and structure. I care deeply about making sure that we carefully consider our policies and processes to be sure they are consistent with our vows to respect the dignity of every person, seek and serve Christ in all people, and safeguard the integrity of creation as we live out our work as the church.
I have a wide range of experience with church governance which I bring to my work here. I served as a youth delegate to the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland, a clergy delegate to the General Convention of The Episcopal Church, and a clergy delegate from this diocese to General Synod in 2025. Over the last year, I have been involved in the Transformation Task Force who is facilitating the implementation of the Creating Pathways document passed at the last General Synod. I serve as the Chair of Pathway #1 whose work is organizational restructure of the Anglican Church of Canada. I am honored to do this work, especially to share and advocate for the work of our diocese and province on the West Coast of Canada while we look at the governance of the whole Church. I hope to serve as a General Synod clergy delegate in 2028 as we continue that work of transformation.
Heather Robinson, St Peter, Saanich (Greater Victoria)
Ordained in the diocese of Huron in 2000, Heather came on the strength of the Diocese of Islands and Inlets in 2014. She was the Rector of St John the Baptist in Cobble Hill and then trained with the Interim Ministry Network; in that capacity she has served at St Philip-by-the-Sea, Lantzville, St Dunstan's Gordon Head and is currently the incumbent at the newly amalgamated Parish of St Peter, Saanich.
Heather was on the organizing committee for the diocesan conference in 2015. She has served as chaplain to Queen Margaret's School in Duncan and is the current ACW chaplain. She was elected to diocesan council in 2023 and is the current clerical secretay.
I am putting my name forward to be a member of General Synod because I enjoy being part of the decision-making process and I love the collegiality found while doing this type of work. I arrived in the Diocese of Islands & Inlets in August 2025. In the Diocese of Rupert’s Land, I was on diocesan council as a lay person, as a transitional deacon, and as a priest. I was elected to the Executive Committee from 2022-2024. I attended Provincial Synod twice and General Synod once. I was the Diocese of Rupert’s Land representative on the Provincial Executive from 2021-2025. I was also part of the National Chaplain’s Network (now defunct), the planning team for three Anglican-Lutheran clergy conferences, and the chair of the Joint Anglican and Lutheran Committee for 2SLGBTQ+ Education, Advocacy, and Policy (now defunct).
I see attending General Synod as an opportunity to learn about the processes that take place within this diocese, as well as bringing a transgender voice to the table. Having a position on General Synod will hopefully help me to work at making our church a safer place for the queer community within our diocese.
Beyond church activities, I love to read and learn. My to-read lists and piles are never-ending. I am taking classes at the College of Emmanual & St Chad, working towards a master’s in theological studies.
Lay (3)
Cory Herrera seeks the privilege of participating in Provincial and General Synod. She’s had the privilege of being on Provincial Synod since Diocesan Synod 2024 and on Diocesan Council since November 2024.
Cory has worshipped at St. Matthias for about 25 years. She’s been in leadership roles most of the time since 2009: Parish Council; beginning in 2013, as People’s Warden or Deputy Rector’s Warden; she’s also been a Diocesan Synod representative since 2013. A believer in succession planning, she looks forward to retiring as Warden and welcoming a new leader at the next parish Vestry.
Formally educated as a historian, Cory’s doctoral specialty was Early Modern / Reformation Europe. Graduate school gave her an enduring love of the Anglican embrace of the gifts of scripture, tradition and reason. Those studies found their indirect way into her subsequent career.
Cory is a retired public servant and experienced non-profit Board member. Not legally trained, she’s worked closely in legal issues, particularly in Indigenous relations and reconciliation, and the wide span of Provincial legislation. She has dealt with economic, taxation and financial issues in both professional and volunteer work. Cory has deep and broad leadership experience in major projects (e.g., treaty negotiations, past chair of the Greater Victoria YM-YWCA and the Children’s Health Foundation of Vancouver Island). She brings energy, collaboration, and generosity to both secular and ecclesiastical challenges. Cory sees her faith as the wellspring of her commitment to service.
Steve brings a wealth of experience and perspective to his endeavours at the parish and synod level. He serves as a lay delegate to synod for St. George's Cadboro Bay. He also serves as an appointed member to the diocesan Finance Committee and the diocesan Investment Committee. In these roles, he has been an important resource for our synod's finance team.
Steve's background includes more than twenty years of service as finance officer and treasurer of the Diocese of Calgary. He is also currently serving on the pensions committee of General Synod.
Steve's grasp of strengths and challenges of our diocese and province is excellent. He can address issues related to canon or policy with ease. He can build consensus for ideas, ask questions with care, and represent our diocese with knowledge and perspective that would be welcome in any forum.
Brendon Neilson, Synod Office (Greater Victoria)
Canon Dr. Brendon Neilson is putting his name forward to be a lay representative of our diocese to General Synod. Brendon primarily worships at St. Philip, Oak Bay but often is throughout the diocese.
As the Executive Director of the diocese, he has a strong understanding of the inner workings of the diocese. Within that role, he sits on and guides the work of Diocesan Council and other committees of Synod.
Brendon's other commitments include serving on the Vancouver School of Theology's Board of Governors and on the Lutheran, Anglican, and Moravian Commission on Full Communion. This breadth of experience in leadership and listening roles positions him to continue the work of previous Synods in 2028 and beyond.