Terrance Christopher
Encyclopedia
Terrance 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
.
Born in Cape Breton
, Nova Scotia
, Christopher graduated from St. Francis Xavier University
and the Maritime School of Social Work before joining the Royal Canadian Navy
rising to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. He served on the HMCS Stadacona
, HMCS Cornwallis, CFB Borden
and at NATO. His naval service is most notable for his work on expanding education and training services in the navy. Retiring in 1994, he briefly entered the private sector before becoming head of the Canadian government's VIP reception services.
He became Usher of the Black Rod on December 9, 2002, and his term expired on March 8, 2008, after having been extended for three months to allow the government to find a new Usher. Christopher had asked to be reappointed for a full term, but his request was denied by the government.
He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Military Merit
in 1982. In 1994, he was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order
.
Order of Military Merit (Canada)
The Order of Military Merit is a military honour for merit that is, within the Canadian system of honours, the second highest order administered by the Governor General-in-Council, on behalf of the Queen of Canada...
, LVO
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...
is a retired Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
Naval Officer and former 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...
for the Senate of Canada, the most senior protocol office in Parliament
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...
.
Born in Cape Breton
Cape Breton Regional Municipality, Nova Scotia
Cape Breton Regional Municipality often shortened to simply CBRM, is a regional municipality in Nova Scotia's Cape Breton County.According to the 2006 Census of Canada, the population within the Cape Breton Regional Municipality is 102,250...
, Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is one of Canada's three Maritime provinces and is the most populous province in Atlantic Canada. The name of the province is Latin for "New Scotland," but "Nova Scotia" is the recognized, English-language name of the province. The provincial capital is Halifax. Nova Scotia is the...
, Christopher graduated from St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University
St. Francis Xavier University is a post-secondary institution located in Antigonish, Nova Scotia. The school was founded in 1853, but did not offer degrees until 1868. The university has approximately 5000 students.-History:...
and the Maritime School of Social Work before joining the Royal Canadian Navy
Royal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
rising to the rank of Lieutenant-Commander. He served on the HMCS Stadacona
HMCS Stadacona
HMCS Stadacona was a commissioned patrol boat of the Royal Canadian Navy that served in the First World War and postwar until 1920.-Origins:Launched as the American yacht Columbia, she was acquired by the RCN in 1915...
, HMCS Cornwallis, CFB Borden
CFB Borden
Canadian Forces Base Borden is a Canadian Forces base located in Ontario.The historic birthplace of the Royal Canadian Air Force, CFB Borden is the largest training facility in the Canadian Forces...
and at NATO. His naval service is most notable for his work on expanding education and training services in the navy. Retiring in 1994, he briefly entered the private sector before becoming head of the Canadian government's VIP reception services.
He became Usher of the Black Rod on December 9, 2002, and his term expired on March 8, 2008, after having been extended for three months to allow the government to find a new Usher. Christopher had asked to be reappointed for a full term, but his request was denied by the government.
He was appointed an Officer of the Order of Military Merit
Order of Military Merit (Canada)
The Order of Military Merit is a military honour for merit that is, within the Canadian system of honours, the second highest order administered by the Governor General-in-Council, on behalf of the Queen of Canada...
in 1982. In 1994, he was made a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order
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...
.