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Canon Simpson understood that times had changed and with the independence of Canada in 1867 the successive Bishops had ceased to derive their power and authority from Letters Patent. Instead, they were duly elected by the Diocesan Synod of Nova Scotia. According to the Act to incorporate the "Diocesan Synod of Nova Scotia", passed on April 29th, 1863:

The Synod, consisting of the Bishop, Clergy, and Representatives of the Laity

of the United Church of England and Ireland in this Province shall be a body

politic and corporate by the name of "The Diocesan Synod of Nova Scotia". An Act to amend the Act to Incorporate the Diocesan Synod of Nova

Scotia (passed the 6th day of May, AD. 1875). Be it declared and enacted by the Governor, Council and Assembly as

follows:—

I. Notwithstanding anything contained in the Acts to incorporate the Diocesan Synod of Nova Scotia, the Clergy and Laity of the Church of England in the Province of Prince Edward Island (who before the passing of such Act of Incorporation were represented in the Synod of Nova Scotia) may so long as they continue to be under the jurisdiction of the Bishop of Nova Scotia, be admitted as members of such incorporated Synod, and may enjoy and exercise the same rights and privileges therein as the Clergy and Laity of the Church of England in this Province."

Thus there was a legally incorporated Synod of the Diocese of Nova Scotia for a period of twelve years, before the Clergy and Laity of P.E.I. obtained a permissible legal admittance, although section two of the constitution declares: — "Every Clergyman in the Diocese duly licensed by the Bishop, shall have a seat in the Synod, Presbyters also having the right of voting, The Laity shall appear by their Representatives.178

The letter by Canon Simpson emphasized the point that even after acceptance into the Diocesan Synod of Nova Scotia, the Clergy of P.E.I. were excluded from the privileges of many of the Funds. For example, section 5 of the Canon of the Widow’s and Orphan’s Fund stated that every clergyman of the Church of England within the Diocese was entitled to avail himself of the benefits of the fund. Still, the Clergy of Prince Edward Island were specifically mentioned in clause 20 which entitled them "to participate in the benefit of this fund on equal terms with the Clergy of this Province."179 The same provision was also stipulated in section 17 of the Superannuation Fund. Furthermore, the Clergy of P.E.I. were excluded from participating in the benefits of the Church Endowment Fund. This was indeed curious if one was supposed to consider them to be a true part of the Diocese of Nova Scotia.

178. Ibid. 179. Letter from Canon Simpson to Church Work. November 9th, 1909.

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