"Canada in the First World War" Side view of the head of the Black Rod to be presented to the Senate of Canada through Robert Laird Borden, Prime Minister of Canada, courtesy of the Empire Parliamentary Association (now known as the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association), United Kingdom branch, London. It was designed to replace the Rod which was destroyed in the great fire at Ottawa, 1916. The Rod is an exact replica of the Rod of the House of Lords, with the exception that Maple Leaves are emblazoned in place of Trefoil. The head is of gold.