Usher of the Black Rod of the Senate of Canada
Encyclopedia
The Usher of the Black Rod of the Senate of Canada (often shortened to Black Rod) is the most senior protocol position in the Parliament of Canada
.
The office is modelled on the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod
of the House of Lords
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
. Black Rod leads the Speaker
's Parade at the beginning of each sitting of the Senate and oversees protocol, administrative and logistical details of important events taking place on Parliament Hill
, such as the opening of Parliament and Speech from the Throne
ceremonies. Upon the appointment of the first woman to the position of "Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod" on October 20, 1997, the title was changed to "Usher of the Black Rod".
Kevin S. MacLeod, CVO
, CD
, Chief of Protocol in the Department of Canadian Heritage, was appointed Black Rod on March 27, 2008 effective May 26, 2008.
Parliament of Canada
The Parliament of Canada is the federal legislative branch of Canada, seated at Parliament Hill in the national capital, Ottawa. Formally, the body consists of the Canadian monarch—represented by her governor general—the Senate, and the House of Commons, each element having its own officers and...
.
The office is modelled on the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod
Black Rod
The Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod, generally shortened to just Black Rod, is an official in the parliaments of several Commonwealth countries. The position originates in the House of Lords of the Parliament of the United Kingdom...
of the House of Lords
House of Lords
The House of Lords is the upper house of the Parliament of the United Kingdom. Like the House of Commons, it meets in the Palace of Westminster....
of the Parliament of the United Kingdom
Parliament of the United Kingdom
The Parliament of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland is the supreme legislative body in the United Kingdom, British Crown dependencies and British overseas territories, located in London...
. Black Rod leads the Speaker
Speaker of the Canadian Senate
The Speaker of the Senate of Canada is the presiding officer of the Senate of Canada. The speaker represents the Senate at official functions, rules on questions of parliamentary procedure and parliamentary privilege, and oversee debates and voting in the red chamber. This position is often...
's Parade at the beginning of each sitting of the Senate and oversees protocol, administrative and logistical details of important events taking place on Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill
Parliament Hill , colloquially known as The Hill, is an area of Crown land on the southern banks of the Ottawa River in downtown Ottawa, Ontario. Its Gothic revival suite of buildingsthe parliament buildings serves as the home of the Parliament of Canada and contains a number of architectural...
, such as the opening of Parliament and Speech from the Throne
Speech from the Throne
A speech from the throne is an event in certain monarchies in which the reigning sovereign reads a prepared speech to a complete session of parliament, outlining the government's agenda for the coming session...
ceremonies. Upon the appointment of the first woman to the position of "Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod" on October 20, 1997, the title was changed to "Usher of the Black Rod".
Kevin S. MacLeod, CVO
Royal Victorian Order
The Royal Victorian Order is a dynastic order of knighthood and a house order of chivalry recognising distinguished personal service to the order's Sovereign, the reigning monarch of the Commonwealth realms, any members of her family, or any of her viceroys...
, CD
Canadian Forces Decoration
The Canadian Forces Decoration is a Canadian award bestowed upon members of the Canadian Forces who have completed twelve years of military service, with certain conditions. By convention, it is also given to the Governor General of Canada upon his or her appointment as viceroy, which includes the...
, Chief of Protocol in the Department of Canadian Heritage, was appointed Black Rod on March 27, 2008 effective May 26, 2008.
List of Gentlemen Ushers of the Black Rod (1867–1997)
- 1867–1875 René Kimber
- 1875–1901 René Edouard Kimber (Son of René Kimber)
- 1902–1904 Molyneux St. John
- 1904–1925 Ernest John Chambers
- 1925–1946 Andrew Ruthven Thompson
- 1947–1970 Charles Rock Lamoureux
- 1970–1979 A. Guy Vandelac
- 1979–1984 Thomas Guy Bowie
- 1984–1985 Claude G. Lajoie
- 1985–1989 René Marc JalbertRené Marc JalbertRené Marc Jalbert, C.V., C.D. was a Canadian soldier and sergeant-at-arms of the National Assembly of Quebec, known for his role in ending Denis Lortie's killing spree in the Parliament Building on May 8, 1984....
- 1989–1990 Rene Gutknecht
- 1990–20 October 1997 Jean Doré
List of Ushers of the Black Rod (1997—)
- 20 October 1997–2001 Mary C. McLaren
- 2001–2002 Blair Armitage, acting, first time
- 2002–2008, Terrance ChristopherTerrance ChristopherTerrance Christopher, OMM, LVO, CD is a retired Canadian Naval Officer and former Usher of the Black Rod for the Senate of Canada, the most senior protocol office in Parliament....
- 2008–26 May 2008 Blair Armitage, acting, second time
- 26 May 2008— Kevin S. MacLeod