Today, the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, joined a virtual session hosted by the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia to provide an update on the Government of Canada's ongoing efforts to honour the legacy of No. 2 Construction Battalion. Participants included descendants and family members of No. 2 Construction Battalion, along with key community partners.
Minister McGuinty highlighted both the historic and continued contributions of Black Canadian military service members, emphasizing their resilience in the face of systemic barriers. He noted that the legacy of the No. 2 Construction Battalion is a reminder of past injustices and a testament to the valour, professionalism and excellence Black Canadians have brought to military service.
During the meeting, Minister McGuinty reviewed the eight recommendations of the National Apology Advisory Committee (NAAC). These recommendations were developed through cross-Canada engagement to guide the Government of Canada's formal apology to descendants of No. 2 Construction Battalion in July 2022. A key recommendation called for the Defence Team to establish an External Advisory Committee on Anti-Black Racism. This committee will provide advice to the Minister and will play a critical role in addressing systemic barriers by offering strategic guidance and actionable recommendations to senior Defence Team leadership. Minister McGuinty underscored that the establishment of the committee reflects a commitment to accountability, equity, and real and practical culture change across the Defence Team.
The Minister was accompanied by Rear-Admiral (RAdm) Jacques P. Olivier, Defence Team Co-Champion for Racialized Persons and Director General Culture, Chief Professional Conduct and Culture. The RAdm confirmed that work to define the committee's mandate and composition has been completed, and he outlined the upcoming call for volunteers to join the committee and the application process. RAdm Olivier noted that the committee will be established early next year and will meet regularly to provide advice on building a more inclusive Defence Team.
The Defence Team will continue to collaborate closely with descendants of No. 2 Construction Battalion and members of Black communities across Canada so that the lived experiences of Black Canadians are heard and integrated into decision-making to drive cultural change and strengthen operational excellence.
