Bruce McLeod

Norman Bruce McLeod (5 February 1929 – 13 January 2026) was a Canadian minister of the United Church of Canada who served as the church's 25th Moderator. At the time of his election, he was the youngest person to serve as moderator, and was the first moderator to have been baptized as an infant in the United Church.

Early life and education Bruce McLeod was born in Toronto, the son of Norm McLeod, chairman of the international conglomerate Moore Corporation, and Maude, a former social worker. As a member of Toronto's upper middle class, he went to high school at prestigious Upper Canada College before earning a Bachelor of Arts from University of Toronto. His high profile was further enhanced when he moved to Bloor Street United Church in Toronto, and called for governments to end the tax-free status of churches in Canada unless each church did something to benefit the wider community, such as create a drop-in centre.

Moderator McLeod was nominated for the post of Moderator in 1968, but was runner-up to Bob McClure. He was nominated again in 1972. At the 25th General Council of the church, McLeod stated that the church's top priority was "to be responsive to new needs." He also called for an end to rigid structures. Canadian Press reported that he "was regarded by many members of the council as the most progressive of the candidates" and that "he was described ... as an expert in communications, an increasingly vital role for the church."

McLeod travelled widely during his term, speaking with church members across the country and urging churches to look to the future rather than the past. McLeod also urged closer inter-church ties and more international cooperation between faiths and denominations. However, he was disappointed that, after years of talks with the Anglican Church of Canada that seemed to be moving towards amalgamation and that had produced a common hymn book, the Anglican bishops' synod abruptly pulled out of further union talks. Likewise, he was disappointed when union talks with the Disciples of Christ ended with no agreement.

Post-moderator After handing over the role of moderator to Wilbur K. Howard at the 26th General Council, McLeod also stepped down as minister of Bloor Street United, and became a commissioner for the Ontario Human Rights Commission. He also went on a year-long mission to Pueblito, Costa Rica, where he helped to set up a cooperative and residential village for abandoned children, travelling back to Toronto for occasional Commission meetings. A collection of some of his homilies titled City Sermons: Preaching from a Downtown Church was published in 1986.

Social justice remained a core principle for McLeod. He travelled widely in Africa, Latin America and Asia as an official international observer. In 1987, he anonymously spent a night at Seaton House, a men's shelter, then wrote about his experiences and the poor conditions in the shelter for the Toronto Star.

In 1991, McLeod was elected president of the Canadian Council of Churches, and at the start of his three-year terms, called on churches of all denominations to work together, avoid duplicating enterprises that could be shared, and "to think and act together."

Personal life Bruce McLeod was married twice, first to Jewel with whom he had three daughters, and then to Rev. Joyce Kelly who brought her three children to the marriage. Roy Bonisteel said that McLeod played "a mean honky-tonk piano."

"His informality, his enthusiasm and warmth make him accessible to young people and old alike ... He has a trust in the man on the street, and wants the church to be more responsive to the new needs of the modern world, and to make all people one family." — Roy Bonisteel, Man Alive Vote % | Progressive Conservative Susan Fish

-| | Liberal Bruce McLeod

-| | New Democrat Dan Leckie

-| | Independent George Hislop

-| | Independent Rhino Mils

-| | Independent Gary Weagle

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