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Remuneration and Benefits

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Remuneration

Clergy remuneration is determined by the area bishop in consultation with the parish churchwardens. The stipend of clergy paid at the minimum level is automatically adjusted on Jan. 1 of each year to reflect the annual increases for COLA and years of service.

The clergy remuneration package consists of:

  • a stipend
  • either living accommodation or a reasonable housing allowance
  • reasonable costs for fuel, telephone and public utilities (taxable benefits)
  • the diocesan benefits plan, including group insurance, dental, vision and extended health care
  • short- and long-term disability
  • the national professional development plan (Continuing Education)
  • the pension plan
  • statutory benefits such as Canada Pension Plan and Employment Insurance premiums

Travel expenses will be reimbursed according to diocesan policy. The current rate is $0.52 for the first 5,000 km and $0.46 thereafter.

For more information about clergy remuneration, see:

Or contact Human Resources Manager in the Human Resources department.

The 2019 T1213 package for clergy receiving a housing allowance was mailed out at the end of August. If you didn’t get a package and you receive a paid housing allowance, contact Keri Stilling, General Accountant.

Marsh Canada, the diocesan insurance broker, is pleased to offer Preferred Group Insurance Rates for diocesan clergy and staff.

See also: information on remuneration for Part-Time Clergy

Benefits

Active benefits

Active stipendiary clergy of the Diocese are eligible to participate in the following benefits plans:

  • extended health, dental and vision care
  • basic group insurance
  • pension plan
  • disability (both short- and long-term)
  • professional development (both the national Continuing Education Plan and the diocesan General Assistance Plan)
  • Clergy Assistance Program (call 1-844-880-9142)

Make sure you read the benefits book given to you when you enrolled. If you have any questions about your benefits, contact Payroll or the Human Resources department of the Diocese, or the Pension Office of the National Church.

For specific questions about the Extended Health Care Plan, contact Manulife directly at 1-800-268-6195. You will need your group and certificate numbers when you phone.

Pension and benefit documentation from the National Church refers to “employees,” but in the Diocese of Toronto, clergy are not employees but office holders appointed under Canon 10.

All benefit plans are subject to the terms and conditions of the plan policies. The Diocese regularly reviews the plans, as well as its insurance carriers, and reserves the right to amend the plans and change its carriers where appropriate, without further notice to the office holder or employee.

Retiree benefits

Extended health care coverage

When you retire, you have the option to apply to join the post-retirement Extended Health Benefit program. Contact the diocesan Payroll Office for more information. The Post-Retirement Benefits (for those that retired after Dec. 1, 2007) includes a health care spending account. For information and FAQs, read the Health Care Spending Account brochure.

Qualifications for post-retirement benefits

To be eligible for post-retirement benefits, you must retire from active service with the Diocese under the terms of the General Synod Pension Plan. Benefit plan premiums are shared by the retiree and the Diocese at a percentage dependent on your years of credited service. For more information, read the Post-Retirement Benefits Qualifications Criteria.

For more details about retiree benefits, see the Retirement page.

Discretionary medical and dental grant

A limited number of grants are available for members of the Diocese of Toronto extended health and dental plan (both active and retired) who exceed their annual coverage. Grants will range from $500 to $1,500.

Those eligible for grants include participating members of the extended health and dental plan, including active and retired clergy and diocesan staff. You must have completely depleted your extended health and dental benefits for the year before you submit an application. Grants will only be considered for expenses that occurred in the year of the grant application.

The following are eligible for grants:

  • hospital accommodation
  • professional services by licensed practitioners (must be the result of an illness or injury and supported by documentation from a medical practitioner)
  • dental care: major restorative services, dentures, orthodontics
  • assistance with medical devices including, but not limited to, orthotics, hearing aids, braces, wheelchairs, back support

To access a Discretionary Medical and Dental Grant, download the guidelines and application form. If you have any questions, contact the Human Resources department.

Forms

You can find the claim forms for medical and dental benefits and grant application forms below or on the Forms page: