Usher of the Black Rod of the Senate of Canada
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[1] 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.[2][3] 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".[4]
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.[5]
Contents |
[edit] 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 Jalbert
- 1989–1990 Rene Gutknecht
- 1990–20 October 1997 Jean Doré
[edit] 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 Christopher
- 2008–26 May 2008 Blair Armitage, acting, second time
- 26 May 2008— Kevin S. MacLeod
[edit] References
- ^ "The Senate Speaker's Parade". Parliament of Canada. http://www.parl.gc.ca/information/about/process/Senate/SpeakerParade/SpeakerParade-e.htm. Retrieved 2009-01-26.
- ^ "Ushered out". Political Bytes (CBC). 2008-01-18. http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/politicalbytes/2008/01/post_16.html. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
- ^ "Notice of Vacancy, Usher of the Black Rod". Canada Gazette Part I 142 (2). 2008-01-12. http://www.gazette.gc.ca/rp-pr/p1/2008/2008-01-12/pdf/g1-14202.pdf.
- ^ "Officers and Officials of Parliament". http://www2.parl.gc.ca/parlinfo/compilations/OfficersAndOfficials/ProceduralOfficersAndSeniorOfficials_Senate.aspx. Retrieved 2008-01-24.
- ^ "Prime Minister announces appointment of Mr. Kevin MacLeod as Usher of the Black Rod". http://pm.gc.ca/eng/media.asp?category=1&id=2043.
