The Synod of Québec and Eastern Ontario is one of 8 synods within the Presbyterian Church in Canada. It consists of five presbyteries: Quebec, Montreal, Seaway-Glengarry, Ottawa and Lanark-Renfrew. The geographical bounds of the Synod stretch from the Gaspésie in the east (Leggatt's Point) along the St. Lawrence Seaway to Lansdowne in the west, and north up the Ottawa Valley to Point Alexander, just past Petawawa.

The Synod normally meets once a year, usually in October, to do its business and meet for fellowship. Every third year the synod meets as a conference. The synod has a small committee system and a "Synod Council" to manage its business between synods and bring the appropriate business to the synod when it meets. The synod currently meets as a "commissioned court" with each presbytery sending representatives to the once-a-year meeting. One minister commissioner and one elder commissioner for every four ministers in each presbytery.

The Presbyterian Church in Canada is governed by a system of church courts. Most of the important decisions that affect the church are made as women and men prayerfully meet to discern the mind of Christ. From lower to higher, these are the four courts:

• Congregation - the Session: Sessions are made up of elders and ministers. Elders are women and men who have been elected by the local congregation and ordained. The session provides for the overall ministry of the congregation, including pastoral care, worship, Christian education, stewardship, and mission.

• Local - the Presbytery: Presbyteries are made up of ministers and elders from each congregation within its bounds - one elder for each minister on the constituent roll (i.e. in the presbytery). Retired ministers and ministers without a congregation are placed on the appendix to the constituent roll. Presbyteries support and oversee their congregations and ministers, and meet several times through the year.

• Regional - the Synod: Synods are made up of ministers and elders from each presbytery within its bounds. They rule on regional issues and are the court of next resort that presbyteries may refer matters to.

• National - the General Assembly: The General Assembly is the highest decision-making body of our church. It meets annually around the first week in June. An equal number of ministers and elders are commissioned by presbyteries to attend. It receives, discusses, and makes decisions on issues brought forward, as well as voting on matters of theology and polity that affect the whole denomination.