Today, Defence Minister Anita Anand attended the virtual event to reiterate the Canadian Government's intent to apologize and honour No. 2 Construction Battalion's service to Canada during the First World War, and announced that she will attend the apology event, which will be held on July 9th, 2022 in Truro, Nova Scotia.
Minister Anand took this opportunity to recognize the ongoing work of the No. 2 Construction Battalion National Apology Steering Committee; the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia and the National Apology Advisory Committee, as well as the collaboration between community members and the 5th Canadian Division, to ensure that No. 2 Construction Battalion and its members will at last receive the respect, recognition, and gratitude that has so long been owed to them.
Minister Anand was joined by fellow members of parliament and members of the Halifax-area Black community in highlighting the numerous initiatives undertaken by the Canadian Army and a community-led National Apology Advisory Committee to inform the apology and the event, including six cross-Canada community consultations.
The members who served in No. 2 Construction Battalion, their families, their descendants and their community deserve recognition, acknowledgement and the gratitude of a nation for the sacrifices they made to serve Canada, on and off of the battlefield, in the face of racial discrimination.
