Today, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, attended the annual No. 2 Construction Battalion Remembrance Ceremony and Honour Parade to honour the legacy of Canada's largest all-Black battalion in military history. During the commemoration, the Minister announced the members of the newly established External Ministerial Advisory Committee on Anti-Black Racism.
Announcing the Committee during the commemoration of the 110th anniversary of No. 2 Construction Battalion reflects the Government of Canada's commitment to honouring history while taking meaningful action to help shape a more inclusive future for the Defence Team.
The Committee was established in response to the National Apology Advisory Committee report, which provided recommendations for making the Government of Canada's apology to the descendants of No. 2 Construction Battalion meaningful. The Committee will provide independent advice and strategic guidance to the Minister of National Defence and senior Defence Team leadership to help address anti-Black racism, strengthen accountability, and support lasting institutional change across the Defence Team.
Minister McGuinty announced the nine newly appointed Committee members following a hybrid meeting on July 3 to welcome them to their roles. The members will now begin their work, sharing expertise and lived experience that will help advance meaningful and sustained culture evolution across the Defence Team.
The independent external Committee members are:
- Juanita DeSouza-Huletey
- Raymond Edwards
- Sean Foyn
- Louis Edgar Jean-François
- Kevin Junor
- Doreen L. Gibson (Door)
- Roselyne Mavungu
- Rosemary Sadlier
- Craig Smith
Today's ceremony and parade, held in Pictou, Nova Scotia, marked the 110th anniversary of No. 2 Construction Battalion. The event brought together members of the Defence Team, the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, descendants of No. 2 Construction Battalion, and community members to honour No. 2 Construction Battalion's legacy reaffirm the Government of Canada's commitment to meaningful reconciliation following the 2022 national apology, and strengthen relationships between the Defence Team and Black communities.
With the support of this committee, the Defence Team will continue to honour the legacy of No. 2 Construction Battalion and enhance operational capabilities of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) by fostering an inclusive environment, where every member of the Defence Team is valued and respected.
