Definition: In the Parliament of Canada, the black rod is an ebony cane which the Usher of the Black Rod uses to rap on the doors of the House of Commons chamber to summon members of the House of Commons to the Senate chamber for the Speech from the Throne or for Royal Assent of bills.
In Canadian provincial or territory legislative assemblies, which have only one chamber, the black rod is a ceremonial baton used by the Sergeant-at-Arms to knock on the door of the legislative assembly chamber to request permission for the Lieutenant Governor to enter to read the Speech from the Throne or grant Royal Assent to bills.
