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]
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