National Apology Advisory Committee Report

Contents

Introduction

“The winds of change are blowing”

- Senator Calvin Ruck, Author & Historian: “The Black Battalion 1916-1920: Canada's Best Kept Military Secret”

The following report has been compiled and co-written by Mr. Russell Grosse, Executive Director of the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, and Lieutenant Colonel Barry Pitcher, Canadian Armed Forces, Community Engagement Lead. Both Mr. Grosse and LCol Pitcher served as leadership and coordinators of the important efforts associated with the Government of Canada’s intent to apologize to the descendants and families of No. 2 Construction Battalionn (No. 2 Construction Bn). These duties included guiding a steering committee, co-chairing the National Apology Advisory Committee, facilitating national public consultations with descendants and engaging stakeholders. This process was wholly guided by the passion and knowledge of the members from coast to coast who volunteered their time to be part of the National Apology Advisory Committee (NAAC).

Through the combined resources of the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia and the Canadian Armed Forces, the process of engagement began in the summer of 2021. Over the last year, hundreds of descendants and individuals interested in the legacy of these brave men have offered valuable feedback. This has been reinforced through local and national awareness events and a series of virtual national consultation sessions. The information gathered has been powerful and has afforded the privilege to learn more about these men via inspiring stories from descendants. The partnership of our community and members of the Canadian Armed Forces should stand as a true example of a positive synergy toward culture change.

All levels of Government leadership have demonstrated their commitment to this interactive process to include the Government of Canada, the Province of Nova Scotia, the Town of Pictou and the Town of Truro. Collectively, they all proudly stand with us as a diverse community united by a single cause. We are very grateful to those members of the Canadian Armed Forces and our National Apology Advisory Committee for their dedication to moving us towards an apology that is hoped to be meaningful and sincere. This apology must affirm the fact to the men of No. 2 Construction Bn from Canada and abroad that indeed, “We See Them – We Honour Them”.

The true soul of this report is based on meaningful feedback and discussions held through interactive, public conversations, community events, online surveys and email correspondence. It is hoped that the key recommendations made here will shape the path forward for the Government of Canada to deliver a meaningful and impactful apology on July 9, 2022. This report is crafted to be presented to the Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Minister Anita Anand, and is not for public distribution. This report shall be treated as a rare glimpse of the pride and passion that the brave Men of No. 2. demonstrated, and will serve as a unique medium to convey their coveted legacy.

History of No. 2 Construction Bn

In August 1914, tens of thousands of men across Canada rushed to their local recruiting offices to enlist and fight in the First World War. Many Black men who attempted to join found out very quickly they also had to fight the spectre of anti-Black racism. Some men were told that “this is a white man’s war” and others that “we’ll send for you when we need you.” Throughout this appalling first contact with the military, Black Canadians were repeatedly told that many White men would simply not wish to serve alongside Black men in battle.

Over a two-year period, Black men who had attempted to enlist and Black community leaders who did not support anti-Black racism, wrote letters to the Canadian Government and Governor General of Canada. Some military officials also challenged the racist recruiting practices and proposed options to the military chain of command. Many of these attempts were in vain. By 1916 however, there was an urgent need for increased troop contributions to include military labour units. In April 1916, Canada agreed to a request from Britain to form one or two labour battalions and it was then decided that, based on public pressure at the time, one would be a Black labour battalion.

No. 2 Construction Bn was officially authorized as a military unit on July 5, 1916. Recruiting began in the Maritimes on July 19, and later during July, the Battalion became one of the few units that was allowed to recruit across the country. (See Appendix A: Soldier List). The men of No. 2 Construction Bn trained in the use of tools, tactics and equipment in large open camp areas in the Towns of Pictou and Truro, Nova Scotia. In December of 1916, the Battalion was advised to prepare for service overseas as their services were urgently needed. In late January of 1917, while it was mounting a large recruiting campaign to get the Battalion up to strength, No. 2 Construction Bn sent 250 men to New Brunswick to remove railway tracks that were urgently needed for military operations in Belgium and France.

On March 28, 1917, No. 2 Construction Bn finally sailed from Halifax, Nova Scotia on the SS Southland, and arrived in Liverpool, England on April 7. Because the Battalion had sailed with only 595 of the 1,049 officers and men required for full Battalion strength, the British War Office would not allow them to go to France. The Battalion was then reorganized as a labour company of 500 officers and men with the rest of the personnel remaining in England to serve as labour reinforcements.

On May 17, 1917, the newly renamed ‘No. 2 Canadian Construction Company’ was sent to support Canadian Forestry Corps operations in the Jura Mountains of southeast France near the Swiss border. On arrival at camp, they began intensively supporting logging operations immediately. This included operating and maintaining the water system that supplied all the camps, maintaining the roads and helping build a logging railroad. They were also involved in timber operations, helping cut the trees, hauling and then helping process them in the mills and eventually, transporting the sawn lumber to the railway station.

Lumber cut by the men of No. 2 Construction Company proved an essential requirement in the trenches and along the front lines in France. It was used for revetting the sides of trenches, duckboards for the bottom of trenches and across muddy terrain, artillery gun platforms, railway ties, ammunition boxes, accommodation huts and many more uses. Lumber from the Jura region was even used to build French fighter aircraft. The work of No. 2 Construction Company allowed the mills in Jura to produce twice as much lumber as Forestry Companies without their support. Such was the testament of their determination.

No. 2 Construction Company also supported other Canadian Forestry Corps operations. In November 1917, 50 men were sent to No. 37 Company at Péronne, France. Another 180 men went to No. 1 District at Alençon at the end of December 1917, where they performed similar work as in the Jura Mountains.

With the Armistice signed on November 11, 1918, lumber was no longer required for the war effort. No. 2 Construction Company and other Canadian Forestry Corps companies were soon sent back to England in early December 1918. Most of the men from No. 2 Construction Company then sailed for Halifax by mid-January 1919 and were dispersed back to the provinces from which they were originally recruited. The majority were discharged by the end of February 1919; and No. 2 Construction Company as a unit was officially disbanded on September 20, 1920, along with the dissolution of the Canadian Expeditionary Force.

The brave men of No. 2 Construction Company showed the pride and dedication of Black Canadians during the First World War. They wanted to serve their country overseas in the face of blatant anti- Black racism on the home front. In serving, they played an essential role in Canada’s war effort. No. 2 Construction Cpmpany remains the largest all-Black unit created in the history of Canada and was demonstrative of the voices from all Black communities across this great country.

Recognition

No. 2 Construction Bn was first commemorated at the provincial legislature in Toronto, Ontario, in July 1920 and there again September 1926. For decades, the story of No. 2 Construction Bn was a largely unknown part of Canadian history, until the curiosity of the late Senator Calvin Ruck was peaked after seeing a No. 2 Construction Bn hat badge in his travels. This launched a journey of research in the early 1980s that led to him learning more about the remarkable Battalion and their contributions. In tandem with Ruck’s research was the research being done by the son of No. 2 Construction Bn soldier William Gale in Montreal. Gale passed away in 1991 but not before he correctly identified almost 800 soldiers who had served in No. 2 Construction Bn and his research is still being built upon today.

On November 12, 1982, Senator Ruck and the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia hosted a recognition and reunion banquet at the Lord Nelson Hotel in Halifax, Nova Scotia for the surviving No. 2 Construction Bn veterans of the First World War. Senator Ruck was so moved from the experiences shared from this event that he then went on to write The Black Battalion 1916–1920: Canada’s Best-Kept Military Secret (1986). This book details the story of No. 2 Construction Bn and profiles its veterans with very personal and moving stories. It is considered the cornerstone of the lasting legacy of No. 2 Construction Bn and remains in print today with several revised editions having been released.

Years later in the 1990s, the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, along with Senator Ruck, made a compelling public case for official recognition of No. 2 Construction Bn. In 1993, this journey led to the official construction of a National Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada monument in Pictou, Nova Scotia, on the shores of the town’s waterfront, highlighting the historic location where the Battalion was formed on July 5, 1916.

This National recognition has also led to the development of an annual service of honour and remembrance that is held each July in Pictou, Nova Scotia. This momentum of the legacy by Senator Ruck continued as he would go on to become the Executive Director of the Black Cultural Centre. Over the past twenty-nine years, the Town of Pictou has since welcomed descendants, military, police, Legion and members of the Black Community to hold the ceremony there.

In addition to Senator Ruck, Captain (retd) George Borden was also a steadfast champion of No. 2 Construction Bn. Captain Borden, a native of the historic African Nova Scotian community of New Glasgow, had a strong family legacy connected to the Battalion. In the early years, he too would serve as the Executive Director of the Black Cultural Centre. Upon his retirement in 1993, he became a long-time committee member of the annual service of honour and remembrance until his passing in 2020. Capt. Borden was very instrumental in ensuring that the legacy of No. 2 Construction Bn be remembered, and it was he who carried the momentum torch following Senator Ruck’s passing in 2004. Captain Borden was perhaps most famously known for penning the poem, “Black Soldier’s Lament”, which has been since published in both Canadian and U.S. textbooks and tells the story of No. 2 Construction Bn. Many films and stage productions have cited this very poem in the years since as it so accurately conveys the raw emotions felt by the men of No. 2 Construction Bn.

Black Soldiers’ Lament
By Capt. (retd) George Borden

The bugle called and forth we went

To serve the crown our backs far bent,

And build what ere that must be done;

But ne’re to fire an angry gun

No heroes we no nay not one.

With deep lament we did our job

Despite the shame our manhood robbed.

We built and fixed and fixed again,

To prove our worth as proud black men

And hasten sure the Kaiser’s end.

From Scotia port to Seaford Square

Across to France the conflict there,

At Ville La Joux and Place Peronne

For God and King to right the wrong –

The number two six hundred strong.

Stripped to the waist and sweated chest

Mid-day’s reprieve much needed rest.

We dug and hauled and lifted high

From trenches deep toward the sky –

Non-fighting troops and yet we die.

The peace restored the battle won

Black sweat and toil had beat the Hun.

Black blood was spilled black bodies maimed

For medals brave no black was named,

Yet proud were we our pride unshamed.

But time will bring forth other wars,

Then give to us more daring chores

That we might prove our courage strong

Preserve the right repel the wrong,

And proud we’ll sing the battle song.

Other recognition for No. 2 Construction Bn in recent years include the first scholarly work completed on No. 2 Construction Bn in a thesis completed by Sean F. Foyn (2000), the short film Honour Before Glory (2001), written and produced by Reverend William “Andrew” White’s great nephew Anthony Sherwood. This film was met with huge acclaim for its raw portrayal of the struggles faced by the young men of No. 2 Construction Bn. In addition, as a result of a formal suggestion by descendant Robert D Downey to the Chairperson of the Canada Post Stamp Advisory Committee in 2014, an official Canada Post Black History Series stamp was issued by Canada Post on 1 February 2016 to mark the 100th anniversary of the Black Battalion. During the 100th year remembrance of No. 2 Construction Bn (2016), a host of events and programs took place to commemorate their contributions including 100th anniversary of No. 2 Construction Battalion travelling exhibit created by Legacy Voices which included medals of three No. 2 soldiers and was showcased at The Canadian War Museum for Remembrance Day, a commissioned print by the Army Museum – Halifax Citadel and numerous exhibits and displays shown across Canada. The legacy of No. 2 Construction Battalion was carried forward with significant contributions from key subject matter experts and descendants, to include key members of the National Apology Advisory Committee; Douglas Ruck, Kathy Grant, John Boileau, Robert Downey, Craig Smith, Anthony Sherwood, Sean Foyn, Sheila White and Mathis Joost to name a few.

Other noteworthy recognition events:

  • Parks Canada Hometown Heroes Panel on the Waterfront Boardwalk, Halifax, NS
  • Parks Canada / Army Museum Halifax Citadel Event on 5 July 2016 (ie Unveiling of various No. 2 Construction Bn related Home Town Heroes Plaques along with the commissioned No. 2 Construction Bn Art Print)
  • Canadian Legion Magazine July/August 2016 Edition (cover page photo and feature article “Canada’s First Black Battalion”)

Chronology of Apology Process

On January 8, 2019, former Nova Scotia MP, Gordon Earle, penned a letter to the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, sharing the published letter he discovered in the Halifax Chronicle Herald from December 8, 2018, written by Captain (retd.) George Borden. This letter was instrumental in that it requested an official apology from the Government of Canada for the racism, hurt and pain endured by the men of No. 2 Construction Bn.

In response to that letter, the then Minister of National Defence, Honourable Harjit Sajjan, along with Mr. Russell Grosse of the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, organized a roundtable discussion with government officials, Mr. Gordon Earle, Captain George Borden (retd.), Pastor Brian Johnston, Mr. Douglas Ruck, descendants of No. 2 Construction Bn, members of No. 2 Construction Bn Marker Committee and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Defence, Anita Vandenbeld. This meeting took place on February 29, 2020, at the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia. The key resolution of this historic meeting was that it was agreed that the descendants should, in fact, receive a formal apology for the manner in which the men of No. 2 Construction Bn were treated all those years ago.

On Sunday, March 28, 2021, 104 years after No. 2 Construction Bn deployed overseas, the Canadian Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, announced that Canada would apologize for the treatment that these brave men faced. This intent was issued virtually due to COVID-19 restrictions and broadcasted live from the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia with a small in-person audience of military, community and descendants present. This was conveyed as an apology that would address the racism and discrimination they endured before, during and long after their service to Canada. The apology was announced to come after meaningful consultation with their descendants and members of the Black community was complete.

On May 14, 2021, the Chief of the Defence Staff Directive for No. 2 Construction Bn was subsequently issued, authorizing the Canadian Army to immediately engage in outreach and begin preparing for an apology ceremony. 5th Division, an Atlantic Canadian Army formation known as the ‘Mighty Maroon Machine’ was chosen to lead this initiative. 5th Division immediately set about partnering with the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia for this unique initiative. After very initial consultations with key leaders in the Black Community, many of whom would later become the steering committee, this budding partnership began planning a way forward. Based on these discussions, the team very quickly ascertained that to do this special task justice, a special advisory panel was needed. The formation of a National Apology Advisory Committee (NAAC) began and included 22 members from across Canada, who are descendants or subject matter experts on the Battalion. The NAAC had a mandate to advise and assist in the national public virtual consultations and provide recommendations to the Minister of National Defence through this report.

In total, the NAAC led seven Canada-wide consultations to inform the apology and related momentum building events. These consultations were held in December 2021, and February, March, April and May 2022. Break-out sessions were a part of these consultations with sub-groups provided direction from select NAAC members. In addition, several smaller group one-on-one consultations were also completed with living direct descendants of No. 2 Construction Bn by co-chairs Mr. Russell Grosse and LCol Barry Pitcher.

On March 28, 2022, a similar affirmation of intent to apologize was again made virtually, hosted at the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia by the new Minister of National Defence, the Honourable Anita Anand. At this most recent event, Minister Anand formally announced that the chosen location, based on community and NAAC consultations, would be at the former No. 2 Construction Bn training grounds in Truro, Nova Scotia and the date officially chosen as July 9. 2022.

In addition, several stakeholders and partners supported the important legacy of No. 2 Construction Bn through various external projects such as the Library and Archives Canada work to complete the digitization of No. 2 Construction Bn records by May 2022, the commitment by Parks Canada to refresh the National Historic Monument in Pictou and the Province of Nova Scotia and Black Cultural Centre planned launch of a new permanent exhibit on No. 2 Construction Bn.

In conjunction with these consultations and NAAC meetings, the 5th Division/Black Cultural Centre team has worked together in developing a new website for No. 2 Construction Bn in which descendants can register for July 9, 2022, and the key events, such as a No. 2 Construction Bn graves registry, can be shared worldwide.

Thus far, over 1,000 people have participated in these public consultations and a total of 400 descendants of No. 2 Construction Bn members have since been identified.

National Apology Advisory Committee (NAAC)

As a part of this process, a twenty-two member National Apology Advisory Committee (NAAC) was established in June 2021 as a consulting arm to the Government of Canada in the shaping of the upcoming official apology. The NAAC members were chosen based on connection and dedication to No. 2 Construction Bn. They were comprised of community leaders, historians, descendants, and authors. Individual members of the NAAC were very accomplished in their own right and would offer a balanced advisory layer to the formulation of the planned apology. The NAAC was co-chaired in partnership by Mr. Grosse and LCol Pitcher.

The mandate for the NAAC was designed to provide meaningful input in the form of:

  • Advising as to appropriate historical information about No. 2 Construction Bn.
  • Organizing and facilitating satellite and momentum activities.
  • Facilitating important discussions with descendants, community members and stakeholders throughout the country, and where descendants exist.
  • Facilitating the identification of descendants.

The NAAC held regular meetings each month in which key topics were discussed via agendas prepared in advance and tackled key issues such as framework of the apology, planning for the event, historical accuracies, and perpetuation. Terms of Reference (see Appendix C: NAAC Terms of Reference) developed, and voting selected as the main instrument of passing a motion. Within the NAAC, various sub committees also completed many key tasks such as media releases and organization of momentum building events across Canada. These sub committees included:

  1. History and Public Education
  2. Logistics
  3. Communications and Community Engagement
  4. Atlantic Region (P.E.I., N.S., N.L., N.B.)
  5. Central Region (N.W.T., Que., Ont.)
  6. Western Region (B.C., N.W.T., Man., Atla., Sask., Yukon)

In addition, the NAAC was instrumental in facilitating and guiding many of the public consultation sessions that occurred virtually across Canada. Key NAAC members along with members of the 5 Division team would integrate within the break-out sessions to help guide and answer any questions community members and descendants had.

The culmination of the NAACs work was to gather salient recommendations from input gathered via consultations on the composition of the apology and how the event can be best executed. This will be captured in this, the final Minister of National Defence Report.

Apology Principles

The members of the NAAC approved a guiding set of principles developed by the Subcommittee on Communications and Community Engagement to guide the public consultation process. It was influenced by stakeholders and historical precedents that have been demonstrated in past apologies in Canadian history.

Principles for the Apology to the Descendants of the Members of No. 2 Construction Bn

The apology must:

  • Be preceded by representative and meaningful consultations with descendants, communities and subject matter experts.
  • Be delivered by the Prime Minister of Canada.
  • Describe what happened and explain how this experience exemplified Canada's forms of anti-Black racism.
  • Describe the harm caused to the men seeking to serve, those who served, their families and descendants, as well as Canada’s reputation.
  • Acknowledge wrongdoing and take responsibility for it (“own” the mistake).
  • Be candid and honest.
  • Express genuine empathy, regret, and remorse (say “sorry”) for the racist behaviours.
  • Ask for forgiveness.
  • Establish substantive and sustainable policy/program responses that make amends and/or provide redress.
  • Commit to measurable and sustainable change.
  • Promise similar acts will never happen again and that the government will learn from its mistakes.

Key Metrics & Summary of Public Consultations

During the period from October 2021 to May 2022 there were various public engagement sessions conducted both virtually and in-person (dependent on public health measures at the time). These sessions were conducted through meetings, conversations, email and written correspondence. An online survey was conducted for each session and various metrics were gathered as a result. Through these various forms of consultation, there was engagement with over 1,200 people of which approximately 400 have since self-identified as descendants and 10 as direct/immediate descendants (sons and daughters). Through this unique process, all responses were tracked and feedback gathered to aid in the development of the recommendations of this report. During the national virtual engagement sessions, key questions were utilized to encourage and stimulate discussion, at which point virtual breakout rooms facilitated by NAAC members fleshed out responses. Key data gathered is illustrated below.

Key Data

1. Country of participants engaged in consultations:

Canada: 94%
United States: 5.5%
International: 0.05%

2. Participant province:

Nova Scotia: 39%
Ontario: 26%
Alberta: 8%
British Columbia: 5%
New Brunswick: 5%
Saskatchewan: 3%
Other Provinces: 14%

3. Virtual Session Metrics

  • Total of seven sessions
  • Total of 1,110 people registered for virtual sessions
  • 24% of people attended more than one session
  • Over 500 additional people registered with interest

Key Questions

1. Why is the legacy of No. 2 Construction Bn so important and why are you a part of this process?

Key responses:

  • A desire to effect real change
  • Family connection and source of pride
  • To hold Government accountable for past actions
  • They were never recognized when they came home
  • An important part of Canadian History to remember and now be a part of
  • An important legacy that cannot be forgotten and the need to act is now
  • Recognition of Black Canadian contributions is important and this a step forward

2. On Sunday, March 28th, 2021, 104 years after No. 2 Construction Bn deployed overseas, the Canadian Minister of National Defence, the Honorable Harjit S. Sajjan, announced that Canada would apologize for the treatment that the men in this Battalion faced. An apology for the racism and discrimination they endured before, during, and long after their service to Canada. What would make this apology meaningful?

Key Responses:

  • Apology should be given by the Prime Minister
  • Apology must involve Minister of National Defence and Chief of the Defence Staff
  • Must be partnered with some form of tangible mechanism of change
  • Letter of apology to Black Canadians paper-issued as well as words spoken
  • Apology must be made readily available to serving military members
  • Must have wording to address modern day racism and discrimination
  • Apology must be followed with action plan to demonstrate commitment
  • A token or memento should accompany the Apology
  • Prime Minister should also read the apology in the House of Commons
  • Acknowledge that racism and discrimination continues to be endured
  • Include sincere and honest language throughout
  • Include longstanding programs to demonstrate legacy
  • Include a financial commitment supporting ongoing activities, and education
  • Should include all Black Canadian members of the Canadian Armed Forces in all wars

3. Who do you think should make the apology?

Key Responses:

  • Prime Minister of Canada: 56%
  • Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence: 23%
  • Governor General of Canada: 10%
  • Minister of National Defence: 9%
  • Other: (The Queen or Chief of the Defence Staff): 2%

4. What specific words or phrases should be considered in the apology?

Key Responses:

  • Systemic racism
  • Racist treatment
  • Sincerely
  • Bravery
  • Faithful service
  • Not to let it happen again
  • Honour
  • Thank them for their service

5. What should be done to keep the Legacy of No. 2 Construction Bn alive (i.e.: educational resources, monuments, traveling exhibits)?

Key Responses:

  • Monuments in Ottawa, Nova Scotia and select locations across Canada
  • Museum/Public Exhibits that share the story of No. 2 Construction Bn
  • Permanent Exhibit at National War Museum
  • Be a part of Canadian Military History and basic training
  • Education and Curriculum Resources for P-12 & General Public Awareness
  • Development of a commemorative Medal or Coin
  • Development of Scholarship/Bursary
  • Detailed research on Battalion Members
  • National day of Remembrance / Battalion Flag Day
  • Rename Highway in Nova Scotia (Truro to Pictou)
  • Historic TV Vignettes
  • Special Grave Site Markers
  • History/Photo Plaque at all Canadian Armed Forces bases and offices
  • Advocate on behalf of the legacy of No. 2 Construction Bn for inclusion in all relevant Government departments and agencies

6. The apology event is slated for July 9, 2022, in Nova Scotia and virtually across the Nation. What are some ideas on what should be included in this event?

Key Responses:

  • Immediate Family members
  • Parade
  • Film on Battalion
  • Celebration and Remembrance
  • Presentation to families
  • Souvenir memento and program booklet
  • Inclusion of relevant Government departments and agencies to mark the occasion

Key Themes

Throughout this process of interaction and collaboration, there has been open and respectful space provided for courageous conversations to occur. This has both enabled and empowered members of the NAAC who are in a unique position to now pave a path forward to an apology recommendation to the Minister of National Defence. In many of the after-action reviews from the public consultations, three key themes emerged foundational to a proposed apology narrative.

From a macro level, it is important to highlight these key themes as follows:

  1. Remembrance
    It was clearly communicated by descendants and community that the act of remembrance be prevalent. This can be demonstrated through a firm commitment to education and awareness of No. 2 Construction Bn history through all available means to ensuring that the unit is recognized as an important part of Canada's History.
  2. Reconciliation
    It was clearly communicated by descendants and community that the act of reconciliation be prevalent. This can be demonstrated by ensuring that a meaningful apology recognizes past hurt and is then followed with meaningful actions that encourage diversity and inclusion and assurances that mechanisms will in place to combat racism going forward.
  3. Perpetuation
    It was clearly communicated by descendants and community that the act of perpetuation be prevalent. This can be demonstrated by a direct linkage of No. 2 Construction Bn with a current Canadian Military unit so that their sacrifice and legacy are represented by soldiers of today and that there is a commitment to engagement, monuments, and annual parade/commemoration activities.

Key Recommendations

Supporting and filling in around these three key themes on a micro level, are a number of key recommendations as to the framework of a meaningful apology on behalf of the Government of Canada. While these are not all the recommendations brought forth, these represent the majority and accurately capture the results of the aforementioned data and metrics.

  1. That a heartfelt and meaningful apology be delivered by the Prime Minister of Canada. This will be vital as precedence has been set in past Government of Canada apologies that have been delivered by the Prime Minister.
  2. That the Minister of National Defence be instrumental in the apology process and ensuring that processes are in place to address the past hurts going forward. This will be the active commitment to culture change with Canada’s Armed Forces.
  3. That a national public event surrounds the Apology that pays tribute and honour to No. 2 Construction Bn and provides meaningful remembrance.
  4. That it include a commitment to ongoing substantive and sustainable policy/program responses that address anti-Black racism within the Canadian Armed Forces.
  5. That it includes establishment of and support to a long-term legacy fund that creates ongoing opportunities for education, remembrance and honouring of No. 2 Construction Bn.
  6. That it be accompanied with a memento to descendants and families of No. 2 Construction Bn.
  7. That the apology process be only the start of future discussions on No. 2 Construction Bn and all Black serving members (past and present) who have faced anti-Black racism.
  8. That the apology is followed up with establishment of a Minister’s Advisory Committee on Anti-Black Racism to advise the Minister of National Defence and senior Canadian Armed Forces leadership on a concise path forward to embrace culture change.

Conclusion

Since March 28, 2021, the planning team and members of the National Apology Advisory Committee have actively engaged with over a thousand descendants and citizens across Canada. Through navigating a series of virtual public consultations, telephone, written and electronic correspondence, this report provides a true glimpse of passion, pride, and honour. The narrative here is testament to the hurt, sorrow and pain felt from the families and descendants and the true lack of acknowledgment that transpired. No. 2 Construction Bn has been robbed of the important role they played in Canadian history and the time has come to reconcile that.

As outlined here, the main goal of this report has been to determine the framework of a meaningful apology to the families and descendants of No. 2 Construction Bn. We have shown that the core engagement which started at the February 2020 roundtable discussion has now evolved into a comprehensive recommendation for a proposed framework. It is appreciated that not all the recommendations and themes may fit into the official Government of Canada Apology on 9 July 2022. It is also recognized that only so much can be stated in a singular time and space. Make no mistake though, that the importance of the words spoken that day will resound forever so the greatest of care must be taken in the execution of delivery. It is critical that the information contained herein be heavily weighted. The considerations and information provided in this raw and honest report are testament to ‘ground truth’ and if not all taken into account on 9 July 2022 must certainly be the fuel for future culture change in the Canadian Armed Forces. The value of the descendants, the community, and the National Apology Advisory Committee as the key mechanisms for this engagement process has been immeasurable and we are most thankful for the opportunity.

"We must open the doors and we must see to it they remain open, so that others can pass through. - Rosemary Brown, OC – Canadian Politician & Civil Rights Leader

Appendices

Appendix A: Battalion Enlistment List

Appendix A: Battalion Enlistment List
S/N Name Enlistment Place Enlistment Date
931255Alberga Albert MillerMontrealSeptember 8, 1916
931308Alberga Geroge FrederickTruroOctober 10, 1916
931144Albert George RandolphSaint JohnAugust 14, 1916
931509Alexander LouisWindsorSeptember 9, 1916
931612Alexander RoyVancouver October 23, 1916
931585Allen JamesWindsor October 16, 1916
931635Allen FessieEdmontonNovember 11, 1916
931053Allison KennethWindsorJuly 27, 1916
931198Allison WilliamWindsor, NSAugust 23, 1916
931335Allison ClarenceWindsor, NSOctober 18, 1916
931358Allison Walter RolandTruroDecember 13, 1916
931363Anderson MackerrowHalifax December 9, 1916
931568Anderson Joseph HCalgarySeptember 29, 1916
931606Anderson John WilliamChathamOctober 30, 1916
931819Armour James HenryWindsorFebruary 15, 1917
931045Ash ClarenceTruroJuly 21, 1916
931242Ash BertPictouSeptember 9, 1916
931271Ash ThomasTruroSeptember 23, 1916
931376Atkinson HenryWindsor, NS February 15, 1917
931356Augustus EdwardTruroDecember 2, 1916
931110Austin LouisSaint JohnAugust 10, 1916
931820Austin CyrusWindsorFebruary 15, 1917
931264Backus John JosephMontrealSeptember 16, 1916
931130Bailey JohnSydneyAugust 11, 1916
931822Baker JohnWindsorFebruary 14, 1917
931548Banks ErnestSaskatoonSeptember 8, 1916
931191Barnes JosephSydneyAugust 21, 1916
931693Barnes BenjaminWindsorJanuary 2, 1917
931331Barton SeymourDigbyMarch 11, 1916
931331Barton SeymourTruroOctober 17, 1916
931768Battle CharlesWindsorJanuary 27, 1917
931390Bauld FrederickHalifaxDecember 18, 1916
931654Beatty CharlesWinnipegDecember 1, 1916
685006Beckford Uriah AlexanderQuebec CityOctober 24, 1916
931252Bell Kilson DanielTruroSeptember 15, 1916
931291Bell John SeldonPictouOctober 2, 1916
931592Bell Ernest AlexanderHamiltonOctober 23, 1916
931669Bell GeorgeSt. CatharinesDecember 9, 1916
931280Bennett AncilTruroOctober 2, 1916
931283Bennett HarryTruroOctober 2, 1916
931287Bennett FrankruroOctober 2, 1916
931721Bennett GeorgeWindsorJanuary 8, 1917
931719Bennette WilliamWindsorJanuary 7, 1917
931012Berry Freeman LeslieYarmouthJuly 19, 1916
931216Berry GordonYarmouthSeptember 4, 1916
931406Berry FreemanHalifaxJanuary 16, 1917
1048021Berry JamesMontrealAugust 15, 1916
931601Binga BethuneChathamOctober 23, 1916
931779Black WilliamWindsorJanuary 30, 1917
684966Blackman RenardQuebec CityOctober 23, 1916
931071Blackman HicksSydneyJuly 28, 1916
931218Blackman JeremiahPictouSeptember 1, 1916
931774Bland EllisWindsorJanuary 30, 1917
931604Blencowe FrankChathamOctober 25, 1916
931147Blizzard John SpencerSaint JohnAugust 14, 1916
931399Blue JohnHalifaxJanuary 8, 1917
931404Bonnette FredTruroJanuary 27, 1917
931625Boone WilliamEdmontonOctober 23, 1916
931030Borden ThomasNew GlasgowJuly 25, 1916
931203Borden DavidHalifaxAugust 29, 1916
931206Borden ThomasTruroAugust 30, 1916
931355Borden AlbertTruroDecember 5, 1916
931417Borden GeorgeTruroFebruary 10, 1917
931349Bowden NormanVictoriaNovember 16, 1916
931559Bowen ColumbusEdmontonSeptember 25, 1916
931035Bowers EdwardNew GlasgowJuly 26, 1916
931058Bowers FrankSydneyJuly 28, 1916
931745Bowsell Nathaniel SWindsor January 17, 1917
931093Boyd SimonHalifaxJuly 31, 1916
931261Boyd JamesMontrealSeptember 12, 1916
931556Bradshaw JohnEdmontonSeptember 19, 1916
931595Bradshaw ErnestMontrealJune 17, 1916
931037Bramah AlexanderSydney MinesJuly 21, 1916
931838Brent RobertTruroMarch 13, 1917
931539Bright ArthurSt. CatharinesSeptember 28, 1916
931540Bright NormanSt. CatharinesSeptember 28, 1916
931785Briscoe GeorgeWindsorFebruary 2, 1917
931644Bronston JacobWindsorNovember 20, 1916
931360Brooks George SemperiusWinnipegOctober 1916
931515Brooks Edmund LockettTorontoSeptember 12, 1916
931640Brooks Cornelius JamesWindsorNovember 23, 1916
931380Brothers William AltonTruroDecember 28, 1916
931013Brown ArthurYarmouthJuly 19, 1916
931151Brown HarryHalifaxAugust 18, 1916
931163Brown William GeorgeHalifaxAugust 15, 1916
931213Brown JohnYarmouth August 28, 1916
931246Brown George DeanePictouSeptember 11, 1916
931258Brown SamuelHalifaxSeptember 14, 1916
931344Brown Joseph NathanielHalifaxNovember 18, 1916
931535Brown William EdgarTorontoSeptember 26, 1916
931549Brown Charles ElmerSaskatoonSeptember 13, 1916
931681Brown AndrewWindsorDecember 28, 1916
931728Brown SamuelWindsorJanuary 9, 1917
931741 Brown Joseph CWindsorDecember 15, 1916
931284Bruce MerrelTruroOctober 2, 1916
931673Bryant Charles HenryHamilton December 16, 1916
931241Bullard EdmundPictouSeptember 8, 1916
931141Bundy William HenryAmherstAugust 11, 1916
931205Bundy SeymourHalifaxAugust 29, 1916
931336Bundy HenryHalifaxOctober 25, 1916
931143Bunyan Henry NathanPictouAugust 15, 1916
931615Burns ArthurVancouverOctober 18, 1916
931731Bush LeonSt. Catharines January 7, 1917
1024188Bush ThomasBoltonJuly 12, 1916
931103Bushfan Harold FrederickSaint JohnAugust 10, 1916
931149Bushfan Ernest GarfieldSaint JohnAugust 14, 1916
931156Bushfan Robert JamesSaint JohnAugust 14, 1916
931327Bushfan Philip AndrewSaint JohnOctober 14, 1916
931534Buster CharlesWindsorSeptember 15, 1916
931065Butcher Leonard WalterSydneyJuly 28, 1916
931077Butler George HoraceHalifaxAugust 2, 1916
931305Butler Robert AndrewHalifaxOctober 6, 1916
931570Butler Joseph RogerEdmontonSeptember 17, 1916
931589Butler John EveretPetroliaMarch 17, 1916
931589Butler JohnWindsorFebruary 8, 1917
931041Byard William HowardTruroJuly 20, 1916
931043Byard Percy LewisTruroJuly 18, 1916
931101Byard John ArthurPictouAugust 8, 1916
931015Byer Lloyd NewGlasgowJuly 25, 1916
931396Byers AndrewHalifaxJanuary 8, 1917
931595Caperton WilliamEdmontonOctober 16, 1916
931528Carr GaileWindsorSeptember 15, 1916
931165Carter WilliamHalifaxAugust 9, 1916
931278Carter CharlesHalifaxSeptember 26, 1916
931301Carter Edward SinclairHalifaxOctober 4, 1916
931328Carty AlbertSaint JohnOctober 14, 1916
931395Carvery VincentHalifaxJanuary 8, 1917
931394Cassidy RobertDartmouthJanuary 6, 1917
931735Castor Lewis LerrySt. CatharinesJanuary 7, 1917
931647Champe HoraceWellandNovember 27, 1916
931062Clark RandolphSydneyJuly 28, 1916
931685Clark EllwoodWindsorJanuary 2, 1917
931137Clarke JohnSydneyAugust 11, 1916
931123Claybourn George HaywardPictouAugust 14, 1916
931131Claybourn Frank MorrisPictouAugust 14, 1916
931384Clements WilliamTruroDecember 30, 1916
931195Clyke Joseph PalmerTruroFebruary 2, 1917
931272Clyke JosephTruroSeptember 23, 1916
1033054Coates DuckworthSaint JohnJune 26, 1916
931825Cobby ThomasWindsorFebruary 19, 1917
931005Collins SamuelHalifaxJuly 21, 1916
931161Collins John LouisHalifaxAugust 8, 1916
931270Collymore GrandvilleTruro September 23, 1916
931243Connolly GeorgePictou September 8, 1916
931107Cook Richard HarveyAmherst August 10, 1916
931108Cook CharlesAmherstAugust 10, 1916
931139Cook John CecilAmherstAugust 11, 1916
931542Cook WilliamTorontoSeptember 28, 1916
931718Cooper EarlyWindsorJanuary 7, 1917
931546Corbin Percy SinclairOwen SoundSeptember 27, 1916
931501Courtney Henry FrancisTorontoAugust 30, 1916
931345Cox Garnett WesleyTruroNovember 8, 1916
931214Crawford BowmanYarmouthSeptember 4, 1916
931688Crogger William EWindsorJanuary 2, 1917
931083Cromwell Arthur BensonWeymouthAugust 3, 1916
931302Cromwell NeailyDigbyMarch 13, 1916
931302Cromwell NeailyTruroOctober 24, 1916
931311Cromwell HarrieTruroOctober 13, 1916
931312Cromwell James ElmerTruroOctober 13, 1916
931314Cromwell Joseph OwieTruroOctober 13, 1916
931315Cromwell Joseph HerbertTruroOctober 13, 1916
931317Cromwell James AubreyTruroOctober 13, 1916
931318Cromwell Charles JosephTruroOctober 7, 1916
931699Crosby Herbert HendersonChathamDecember 28, 1916
931405Cross Ethelbert LionelHalifaxJanuary 2, 1917
931341Croxen JamesWindsor NS October 30, 1916
931552Currie Joseph ArthurChathamSeptember 30, 1916
931379Curry JohnTruroDecember 30, 1916
931783 Dabney Percy Windsor January 29, 1917
931827 Darden James Windsor February 26, 1917
931281 Daring William Truro October 23, 1916
931068 Darlington Clarence Adolphus Sydney July 28, 1916
931401 David Bernard Dartmouth January 9, 1917
931411 David Sydney Halifax January 17, 1917
931419 David Willis Pennel Truro March 22, 1917
931158 Davidson Wilfred Jones Halifax August 10, 1916
931630 Davis Fred Alvin Windsor November 14, 1916
931762 Davis Fred Windsor January 26, 1917
931786 Davis Roy Windsor February 2, 1917
931815 Davis Phillip Windsor February 14, 1917
931835 Davis Harry E Windsor March 15, 1917
931267 Dawson John Wesley Montreal September 12, 1916
931273 Day Lavin Truro September 21, 1916
931408 Day Matthew Truro January 20, 1918
931618 Day Harry Linden Toronto November 3, 1916
931353 DeCosta Wilfred A Halifax November 18, 1916
931726 Deerhart William Windsor January 8, 1917
931032 Desmond Howard New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931033 Desmond Isaac New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931036 Desmond John Henry New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931172 Desmond James J Pictou August 18, 1916
931279 Desmond John Harvey Pictou September 26, 1916
931361 Desmond Harvey Truro December 12, 1916
931755 Devon Walter Windsor January 20, 1917
931557 Dickens Eugene Edmonton September 21, 1916
931567 Dickens Frederick Edmonton September 21, 1916
931569 Dickens Andrew Deburg Edmonton September 19, 1916
931078 Dieggs George Henry Halifax July 31, 1916
931006 Dixon Wallace Halifax July 21, 1916
931323 Dixon Fred Charles Saint John October 14, 1916
931354 Dixon George Richard Truro December 1, 1916
931373 Dixon Fred L Sussex, NB November 15, 2015
931373 Dixon Fred Louis Truro December 16, 1916
931749 Dolman Ambrose Chatham January 17, 1917
931814 Dorris Alfred Windsor February 14, 1917
931541 Dorsey Joseph Melivan Saskatoon September 27, 1916
931713 Dorsey LunWindsor January 5, 1917
931067 Dottin Joseph Sydney July 28, 1916
931609 Douglas William Hamilton London November 1, 1916
931226 Downey James Halifax September 1, 1916
931227 Downey George HalifaxSeptember 1, 1916
931285 Downey Clifford Truro October 12, 1916
931388 Downs William Truro December 30, 1916
931154 Drummond Charles Halifax August 19, 1916
931182 Drummond John Halifax August 23, 1916
739093 Duncan Frank Henry Cayuga December 31, 1915
931580 Duncan John Windsor October 13, 1916
931124 Eatman Manzer Pictou August 14, 1916
931125 Eatman John Wesley Pictou August 14, 1916
931339 Edison Robert Alexander Truro October 31, 1916
931028 Edwards Matthew Nathaniel New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931553 Ellis Edward D Chatham October 2, 1916
931598 Ellsworth Leo Dresden October 3, 1916
931089 Elms Frederick Gordon Truro August 2, 1916
931092 Elms Walter Howard Truro August 2, 1916
931109 Elms Alexander Benjamin Truro August 8, 1916
931189 Elms Alexander Halifax August 29, 1916
931202 Elms Michael Redmond Halifax August 28, 1916
931274 Elms JohnTruroSeptember 22, 1916
931695 Eugene John Windsor January 2, 1917
931186 Evelyn Claudius Augustus Montreal August 26, 1916
931319 Falawn Marlow Liverpool October 11, 1916
931170 Farmer Arthur Halifax August 17, 1916
931173 Farmer Zachariah Halifax August 17, 1916
931397 Farmer Harmon Elison Truro January 10, 1917
931029 Fee James Colin New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931309 Fenton Percy Forman Yarmouth October 5, 1916
931188 Fletcher Ralph Halifax August 29, 1916
931039 Flint Stanley Halifax July 27, 1916
931066 Flood Sydney Sydney July 28, 1916
931244 Foderingham Joseph Pictou September 8, 1916
931055 Fodringham William Sydney July 27, 1916
931320 Ford Joseph Nathaniel Truro October 9, 1916
931126 Fortune Edward Sydney August 5, 1916
931760 Foster Mitchell Windsor January 24, 1917
931504 Fountain Harry London September 6, 1916
931739 Fowler Ree Windsor January 11, 1917
931096 Francis Peter Halifax July 31, 1916
931293 Francis Charles Edward Truro October 3, 1916
931297 Francis Luke Truro October 4, 1916
931298 Franklin Charles Truro October 4, 1916
931769 Franks Shirly Windsor January 27, 1917
931400 Fraser James Halifax January 4, 1917
931683 Freeman Ralph S Windsor December 29, 1916
931525 Gaines John Lonza Windsor September 14, 1916
931268 Gale William Montreal September 16, 1916
931276 Gans Young Joe Winnipeg September 18, 1916
931689 Garey William D Windsor January 2, 1917
931608 Garnett Charles Windsor November 2, 1916
931805 Garnett Wallace Windsor February 9, 1917
931773 Garth Robert Windsor January 30, 1917
931554 Gates Henry Edmonton September 12, 1916
931269 Gero William Truro September 22, 1916
931224 Gibson Robert Henry Pictou September 5, 1916
931324 Gibson Gladstone Merivale Saint John October 14, 1916
931352 Gibson Brenton Halifax November 18, 1916
931802 Gilbert John Windsor February 8, 1917
931350 Gilkes Joseph Vancouver November 18, 1916
931248 Goffigan Thomas Halifax September 10, 1916
931648 Goines Victor Welland November 27, 1916
931700 Goines Gordon Welland January 3, 1917
931621 Goodwin John Dresden October 23, 1916
931701 Goodwin George Windsor January 2, 1917
931792 Goodwin James Dresden February 2, 1917
931192 Grant John Henry Kentville August 19, 1916
931550 Grant John Shadall St. Catharines September 28, 1916
931558 Green Jacob Edmonton September 28, 1916
931579 Green James Garfield Owen Sound September 27, 1916
243592 Greenidge Archey Montreal June 20, 1916
931631 Greenidge Hewburn Nathaniel Winnipeg November 21, 1916
931370 Grey Everett Kentville December 15, 1916
931660 Grey Carl Windsor December 11, 1916
931063 Griffiths Henry Sydney July 26, 1916
739674 Groat Frank Henry Hagersville March 16, 1916
931009 Groce James Halifax July 24, 1916
931398 Grose William Truro January 11, 1917
931409 Grosse Ernest Andrew Dartmouth January 15, 1917
931565 Guerry Elmo Edmonton October 2, 1916
931260 Gurana Moses Montreal September 13, 1916
931121 Halfkenny Samuel Eric Pictou August 14, 1916
931054 Hall Da Costa Sydney July 28, 1916
931342 Hall Belfield Truro November 6, 1916
931758 Hall Howard St. Catharines January 20, 1917
931050 Hamilton Benjamin Windsor July 28, 1916
931072 Hamilton John Wesley Windsor July 31, 1916
931098 Hamilton Charles Halifax August 5, 1916
931367 Hamilton Prescott Hilton Truro December 30, 1916
931801 Hamilton Stanley WindsorFebruary 8, 1917
931748 Harael George Windsor January 8, 1917
931623 Harper William Leroy Windsor November 11, 1916
264546 Harris John Henry Camp Borden September 23, 1916
931057 Harris Joseph Sydney July 28, 1916
931152 Harris William Alexander Halifax August 17, 1916
931193 Harris Omer Kentville August 19, 1916
931583 Harris Arnold William Windsor November 7, 1916
931678 Harris Jacob Henry Chatham December 23, 1916
931724 Harris Oscar Windsor January 8, 1917
931776 Harris William Windsor January 30, 1917
931016 Harrison George Washington Halifax July 24, 1916
931566 Harston Major Edmonton September 9, 1916
931020 Hay Edwin Lionel New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931118 Hayes Roy Edward Saint John August 10, 1916
931148 Hayes Walter Roy Saint John August 14, 1916
931707 Hayes Frank Windsor January 5, 1917
931512 Haynes John Madison Windsor September 11, 1916
931120 Hector James Pictou August 14, 1916
931576 Hedgeman George Henry Toronto October 12, 1916
931619 Hemphill Curry Carter Windsor November 8, 1916
675899 Henderson James Ingersoll March 26, 1916
931517 Henderson Donald Windsor September 5, 1916
931590 Henderson William Arthur London October 21, 1916
931602 Henderson Richard Philip Chatham October 26, 1916
931637 Henderson Alfred Edmonton November 6, 1916
931026 Henry Frederick New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931742 Higdon William Rex Chatham January 14, 1917
931407 Higgins William Truro January 24, 1918
931754 Hill Namon Windsor January 19, 1917
931655 Hogue William Calgary November 23, 1916
931818 Hollie Clinton Windsor February 14, 1917
931321 Holloway Edward Rice Truro October 15, 1916
931708 Holloway Ulysses WindsorJanuary 5, 1917
931113 Holmes James Saint John August 10, 1916
931199 Holmes Joseph Halifax August 28, 1916
931738 Holmes Mac Windsor January 11, 1917
931381 Horton Charles Truro December 26, 1916
931571 House William Edmonton September 14, 1916
931220 Howe Kenneth Russell Pictou September 2, 1916
931392 Howe Ralph Halifax January 2, 1917
931682 Hughes Evan Windsor December 28, 1916
931816 Hunt William Windsor March 13, 1917
931675 Hunter Harry St. Catharines December 23, 1916
931330 Hutcheson Ernest Vancouver October 7, 1916
931800 Hyde James Windsor February 8, 1917
931294 Irving Robert Fanuel Truro October 3, 1916
931332 Irving Leonard Truro October 7, 1916
931581 Irwin Chaphill Stanfield Windsor October 13, 1916
931140 Izeard William Amherst August 10, 1916
931168 Jacklin Charles Alfred Halifax August 17, 1916
931282 Jacklin Douglas Truro October 2, 1916
931286 Jacklin William Hastngs Truro October 2, 1916
931023 Jackson Hartley New Glasgow July 26, 1916
931153 Jackson Charles Leonard Halifax August 19, 1916
931190 Jackson William John Pictou August 26, 1916
931200 Jackson Frank Windsor, NS August 28, 1916
931254 Jackson Robie Bridgetown September 15, 1916
931303 Jackson Michael Truro October 5, 1916
931351 Jackson Lawrence Truro November 27, 1916
931377 Jackson Roy Kenneth Truro December 30, 1916
931414 Jackson Charles William Halifax January 22, 1917
931692 Jackson Curtis Windsor January 2, 1917
931734 Jackson Milton St. Catharines January 7, 1917
931563 Jamerson Robert Youngstown September 21, 1916
931081 James Gilbert Sydney August 2, 1916
931162 James Robert Henry Halifax August 8, 1916
931086 Jarvis Hilton Sydney Weymouth July 25, 1916
931087 Jarvis Ralph Weymouth July 27, 1916
931088 Jarvis Malcolm Weymouth July 26, 1916
931090 Jarvis James Durham Weymouth July 25, 1916
931091 Jarvis Aubrey Weymouth July 27, 1916
931636 Jefferson Walter Whitfield Edmonton November 8, 1916
931662 Jenifer Lemuel Windsor December 12, 1916
931520 Jenkens Norman Windsor September 8, 1916
931633 Jenkins Joe Windsor November 20, 1916
931132 Jewell Walter New Glasgow August 12, 1916
931586 John Chauncey Hamilton October 10, 1916
931040 Johnson Gordon Halifax July 24, 1916
931051 Johnson George Albert Windsor July 26, 1916
931052 Johnson Arthur Windsor July 28, 1916
931079 Johnson Walter Adolphus Pictou August 5, 1916
931082 Johnson Stephen Weymouth July 27, 1916
931106 Johnson Herbert Amherst August 10, 1916
931159 Johnson William Rufus Halifax December 30, 1916
931228 Johnson Alfonse Halifax September 1, 1916
931235 Johnson Frank Winnipeg September 4, 1916
931333 Johnson John Clarence Yarmouth October 12, 1916
931366 Johnson Reuben Truro December 18, 1916
931368 Johnson William Truro December 11, 1916
931599 Johnson Joseph Dresden October 13, 1916
931600 Johnson Noah Dresden October 3, 1916
931620 Johnson James Chatham November 8, 1916
931747 Johnson Samuel Chatham January 17, 1917
931761 Johnson Obediah Windsor January 24, 1917
931778 Johnson Melvan Windsor January 30, 1917
931817 Johnson Walter Windsor February 14, 1917
931135 Jones James Arthur New Glasgow August 10, 1916
931138 Jones William Percy Amherst August 11, 1916
931150 Jones Louis Nathan Saint John August 14, 1916
931171 Jones Glendower Amherst August 18, 1916
931238 Jones Harry Timothy Saint John September 4, 1916
931359 Jones William Truro December 12, 1916
931374 Jones William Alfred Liverpool December 26, 1916
931510 Jones George Elwood Windsor September 11, 1916
931529 Jones Thomas Harold Windsor September 15, 1916
931720 Jones Ben Windsor January 8, 1917
931833 Jones Thomas Jefferson Windsor February 26, 1917
931834 Jones Charles Manuel Windsor March 5, 1917
1033217 Jones Henry Morgan Montreal August 7, 1916
931105 Jordan Charles Edward Amherst August 10, 1916
931289 Joseph Robert Russell Pictou September 26, 1916
282308 Kellum Edward HalifaxMarch 3, 1916
931166 Kellum William Halifax August 8, 1916
675459 Kelly Charles Edward Ingersoll February 2, 1916
931794 Kelly Frank S Windsor February 4, 1917
931830 Kelly GeorgeWindsor February 28, 1917
931288 Kennedy Fred Truro October 2, 1916
931812 Kilpatrick Admiral Windsor February 14, 1917
739889 King John Ingersoll June 3, 1916
931167 King David Sydney August 8, 1916
931663 Kirksey Melton Windsor December 12, 1916
931059 Kirton Evan Sydney July 28, 1916
931759 Korachi Cawas Jee Windsor January 24, 1917
931002 Lambert John Richard Halifax July 19, 1916
931184 Lambert Harold Halifax August 23, 1916
931219 Landsay James Pictou September 2, 1916
931538 Lane John James St. Catharines September 26, 1916
931001 Lattimore Gilbert Richard Halifax July 19, 1916
931225 Lee Cecil RoyHalifax September 1, 1916
931364 Lee Nathaniel Dartmouth December 6, 1916
931703 Lee Daniel Windsor January 4, 1917
931511 Lewis John Madison Windsor September 12, 1916
931668 Lewis Frederick Hamilton December 14, 1916
931698 Lewis Walter Albert Chatham December 28, 1916
931194 Lindsay Frederick Leroy Kentville August 21, 1916
931594 Lindsay John Edmonton October 12, 1916
645263 Livingstone Daniel Vancouver January 12, 1916
931508 Lockman James Woodson W Windsor September 9, 1916
931521 Lockman Jerome Wellington Windsor September 9, 1916
931795 Lockwood Robert Windsor February 7, 1917
931743 Logan Harry St. Catharines May 12, 1916
931743 Logan Harry Alexander London January 15, 1917
931772 Love Jerry Matthew Windsor January 30, 1917
931691 Lowe Willie Windsor January 2, 1917
931622 Lucas Walter James Dresden November 8, 1916
931295 Lucaw Thomas Grandy Truro October 3, 1916
931146 Lupee Frederick Oral Saint John August 15, 1916
931632 Lyburtus Jacob T Chatham November 17, 1916
931201 Lynch Roy Ernest Halifax August 29, 1916
931211 Lyons William Lee Amherstburg, ON August 26, 1916
931737 Macon Ivan Windsor January 11, 1917
931650 Madden Joseph Alfred St. Catharines November 30, 1916
931628 Madison Edward Windsor November 13, 1916
931725 Madison Ben Windsor January 8, 1917
931104 Mallard Thomas Amherst August 10, 1916
931649 Malott Tom Welland November 27, 1916
931697 Malott Jefferson Webb Welland December 19, 1916
270455 Manduke CedricBurford, ON June 19, 1916
931378 Mansfield John Truro December 30, 1916
931263 Mantley Henry Halifax September 16, 1916
931262 Mapp Joseph Halifax September 18, 1916
931593 Maricle Joseph Hamilton October 23, 1916
931382 Marsh Walter Truro December 30, 1916
931522 Marsh Harry Boyd Windsor September 12, 1916
931839 Marshall James Henry Truro March 16, 1917
931069 Marsman Ezekial Pictou July 31, 1916
931084 Martin Albert Truro August 2, 1916
931240 Martin Lloyd William Pictou September 4, 1916
931265 Martin Joseph Edgar Winnipeg September 14, 1916
931712 Martin Butler Windsor January 6, 1917
931155 Martin Lawrence Pictou August 15, 1916
931532 Massey Luther Levi Windsor September 18, 1916
931223 Matthews Charles Lordley Pictou September 1, 1916
931766 Matthews Matthew George Windsor January 26, 1917
931659 McArthur Chester Windsor December 9, 1916
931112 McCarthy Harold Saint John August 10, 1916
931791 McDowell Claud Windsor February 5, 1917
931102 McIntyre Charles Theodore Saint John August 10, 1916
931803 McLain Walter Windsor February 8, 1917
931014 McLean Frederick Mansfield New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931562 McNeil ClemensYoungstownSeptember 21, 1916
931019 McPhee Ernest New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931245 McPhee Norman Pictou September 18, 1916
931828 Meadows James Windsor February 20, 1917
931073 Medford Walter Aldershot April 21, 2015
931073 Medford Walter Sydney August 4, 1916
931142 Mentus Horace Francis Pictou August 15, 1916
931076 Middleton Louis Halifax July 31, 1916
931313 Middleton Ralph Truro October 13, 1916
931372 Middleton Frank Edward Truro December 19, 1916
931547 Miles Harry Toronto October 2, 1916
931292 Miller Charles Truro October 3, 1916
931530 Miller Russell London September 20, 1916
931584 Miller Johnson Toronto October 10, 1916
931704 Miller James Windsor January 5, 1917
931732 Miller Grover Cleveland St. Catharines January 7, 1917
931575 Miner Melvan Windsor October 10, 1916
931690 Minnes Chester Windsor January 2, 1917
931183 Mitchell Aubrey Halifax August 23, 1916
931362 Mitchell Harry Truro December 12, 1916
931694 Mitchell William Eugene Windsor January 2, 1917
931781 Mitchell John Windsor January 30, 1917
931813 Mitchell Vergil Windsor February 14, 1917
931832 Mitchell William Windsor March 1, 1917
931658 Modiste Walter Haley Edmonton November 27, 1916
931715 Monroe John Windsor January 5, 1917
931060 Montague Thomas Sydney July 27, 1916
931777 Moore Walter Windsor January 31, 1917
931809 Moore Avory Windsor February 15, 1917
931831 Moore Horace Windsor March 1, 1917
931679 Morris John William Chatham December 22, 1916
931503 Moxley William Alexander London September 5, 1916
931505 Moxley Andrew Melvin Oakville April 28, 1916
931505 Moxley Andrew Melvin London September 6, 1916
931629 Nealy Louis Windsor November 14, 1916
931573 Nelson Charles Toronto October 10, 1916
931115 Nichols Herbert Saint John August 10, 1916
931829 Nichols Roscoe Windsor February 23, 1917
931075 Nicholson Harry Sydney August 4, 1916
222908 Norman James Philip Halifax October 30, 1915
931074 Nurse Edmund Sydney August 2, 1916
931347 O'Neill Herbert Arthur Truro November 11, 1916
931122 O'Ree Charles William Pictou August 14, 1916
931652 Overton John Stephenson Welland December 4, 1916
931064 Owens Charles Alfred Pictou July 31, 1916
931070 Owens Naaman Pictou July 31, 1916
931523 Owens Robert London September 14, 1916
931179 Palmer Timothy Halifax August 17, 1916
931249 Palmer George Truro September 12, 1916
931187 Pannell Chester Pictou August 26, 1916
931017 Paris Joseph Alexander New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931034 Paris Thomas Sheldon New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931157 Paris Clifford Osborne Halifax August 17, 1916
931177 Paris William Lawrence Truro August 21, 1916
931197 Paris Frank Leslie Truro August 7, 1916
931204 Paris Gordon Halifax August 28, 1916
931231 Paris Norman Wilford Digby February 7, 1916
931231 Paris Norman Wilford Digby August 5, 1916
931257 Paris John Halifax September 16, 1916
931337 Parker Laurie Truro October 31, 1916
931387 Parker William Richmond Kentville December 22, 1916
931821 Parker Anthony Windsor February 14, 1917
931004 Parris James Halifax July 19, 1916
931027 Parris Marshall New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931031 Parris James Walter New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931056 Parris Clement Sydney July 27, 1916
931307 Parris William Winslow Truro October 10, 1916
931386 Parris Garfield Truro December 30, 1916
931506 Patterson Frederick Windsor September 8, 1916
931626 Patterson John Leonard Toronto November 10, 1916
931826 Payne Charles Windsor February 17, 1917
931365 Peacock George Stephen Truro December 10, 1916
931696 Peavy Harold Welland December 19, 1916
931723 Perkins Anderson Edward Windsor January 8, 1917
931596 Pettiford Jesse Finch Winnipeg September 21, 1916
931221 Phillips Stephen Pictou September 5, 1916
931722 Phillips Henry Windsor January 8, 1917
931770 Phillips Robert Windsor January 27, 1917
931793 Phillips Charles Windsor January 30, 1917
931514 Phoenix Clifford London September 11, 1916
931049 Pierce John Wesley Windsor July 26, 1916
931061 Pilgrim George Sydney July 27, 1916
931591 Platt Abe Winnipeg October 21, 1916
931085 Pleasant Wallace James Weymouth July 27, 1916
931277 Plummer Samuel H Truro October 2, 1916
931807 Pointer Ed Windsor February 12, 1917
931524 Points Robert Windsor September 12, 1916
931765 Prather Gus Windsor January 26, 1917
931578 Randolph Robert Clifton Windsor October 13, 1916
931018 Reddick George William New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931042 Reddick James AlbertTruro July 18, 1916
931617 Redman Daniel Vancouver October 30, 1916
902479 Reece Samuel Truro May 17, 1916
931024 Reid Thomas New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931782 Reid John Walker Windsor January 31, 1917
931114 Richards Percy James Saint John August 10, 1916
931326 Richards William Francis Saint John October 14, 1916
931094 Richardson William Halifax August 6, 1916
931393 Roachford Walton Lindsay Halifax January 4, 1917
931645 Robbins Frederick Arthur North Buxton November 17, 1916
931561 Robinson Charles Youngstown September 21, 1916
931572 Robinson Louis Woodward Windsor October 5, 1916
931641 Robinson William Windsor November 23, 1916
931671 Robinson William Winnipeg December 11, 1916
931605 Rochester Willoghby Windsor October 27, 1916
931651 Rodgers William Windsor December 4, 1916
931038 Ross Charles Halifax July 24, 1916
931232 Ross Stephen Halifax September 5, 1916
931253 Ruggles Harry Truro September 18, 1916
931329 Sadleir James Albert Saint John October 14, 1916
931787 Sallee Clarence Windsor February 2, 1917
931097 Samson Daniel Halifax August 7, 1916
931007 Samuels Wilford Martin Halifax July 20, 1916
931127 Sargeant Rufus Sydney August 5, 1916
931780 Sargeant Samuel Windsor January 30, 1917
931230 Sasso William Halifax September 27, 1916
931733 Savage William St. Catharines January 7, 1917
931643 Schita Valdo Hamilton November 24, 1916
931714 Scott George Windsor January 6, 1917
931011 Sealy Edward Halifax July 21, 1916
931256 Seavers Frank Arthur Montreal September 14, 1916
931136 Shepard Robert New Glasgow August 10, 1916
931275 Shepard John Joseph Truro September 22, 1916
931129 Sheppard Charles Sydney August 5, 1916
931610 Shreve George Bolivar Chatham November 2, 1916
931611 Shuler Andrew Hamilton November 1, 1916
931823 Shuler Freeman Henry Hamilton February 13, 1917
931212 Simmons Harold Pictou August 22, 1916
931296 Simmons Aubrey Truro October 4, 1916
931810 Simmons James Windsor February 14, 1917
931391 Simms Robert Truro January 3, 1917
931325 Simpson Charles Saint John October 14, 1916
931385 Sims Arthur Truro December 30, 1916
931415 Skinner Adolphus Francis Truro February 9, 1917
931119 Smith George Lexington Pictou August 14, 1916
931134 Smith William New Glasgow August 10, 1916
931215 Smith Charles Nathan M Yarmouth September 4, 1916
931236 Smith John Windsor, NS September 4, 1916
931371 Smith Reuben Alexander Truro December 30, 1916
931551 Smith Lafayette Windsor October 3, 1916
931577 Smith Narvaes Windsor October 11, 1917
931661 Smith Howard Windsor December 12, 1916
931740 Smith Samuel Windsor January 13, 1917
931746 Smith Mannie Windsor January 18, 1917
931753 Smith William Toronto January 16, 1917
931771 Smith Willie Windsor January 27, 1917
931797 Smith Arthur Windsor February 8, 1917
931360 Smithers William Truro December 12, 1916
931410 Some Charlie Halifax January 13, 1917
931531 Spencer Martin Windsor October 3, 1916
931582 Squire Parker Eugene Windsor October 10, 1916
684608 St. Clair EarleValcartierJuly 4, 1916
931178 States Harold Windsor, NS August 21, 1916
931237 States Cornelius Windsor, NS September 4, 1916
931806 Stephen David Windsor February 13, 1917
931300 Stephenson Hallet Frederick Truro October 4, 1916
931338 Stephenson Ernest Alanzo Truro October 31, 1916
931174 Stevens Arthur Yarmouth August 8, 1916
931217 Stevens Leslie Hiram Yarmouth September 4, 1916
931310 Stevens John William Yarmouth October 7, 1916
931383 Stevenson Moses Truro December 30, 1916
931402 Steward David Alfred Halifax January 11, 1917
931403 Steward Nathaniel Truro January 1, 1917
931751 Steward Percy Windsor January 19, 1917
931080 Stewart Charles Montreal March 15, 1916
931080 Stewart Charles Edward Pictou August 5, 1916
931322 Stewart George William Saint John October 14, 1916
931674 Stewart Horace Windsor December 27, 1916
931763 Stewart James Windsor January 26, 1917
931756 Stone Joseph Windsor January 22, 1917
931128 Stoute Seifert Sydney August 5, 1916
931196 Street David Sydney August 21, 1916
931502 Sullivan John Toronto September 1, 1916
931736 Sullivan John Lewis St. Catharines January 7, 1917
931209 Sullivan Julian Pictou September 1, 1916
931513 Sumlar James Windsor September 11, 1916
931836 Suttles Harry Franklin Truro March 13, 1917
931025 Sylvie George New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931357 Symonds Richard Truro December 12, 1916
931010 Tabb Harold Coleman Halifax July 24, 1916
931516 T Albert Frank William Toronto September 12, 1916
931021 Talbot William John New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931022 Talbot Angus New Glasgow July 26, 1916
931046 Talbot James Alexander New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931047 Talbot James Ivan New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931048 Talbot Wallace New Glasgow July 25, 1916
931164 Talbot Ernest Edward Sydney August 10, 1916
931290 Talbot George William Pictou October 2, 1916
931266 Taylor William Isaac Montreal September 16, 1916
931588 Taylor Charles Truro March 16, 1917
931757 Taylor Arthur Windsor January 24, 1917
931788 Taylor John Windsor February 3, 1917
931789 Taylor William Windsor February 5, 1917
931099 Thomas Joseph Halifax August 7, 1916
931117 Thomas Percy William Saint John August 11, 1916
931340 Thomas William Joseph Truro November 3, 1916
931507 Thomas Robert Sumner Windsor September 8, 1916
931709 Thomas William Windsor January 7, 1917
931306 Thompson Charles Halifax October 6, 1916
931543 Thompson William Martin Chatham September 26, 1916
931545 Thompson Enick Chatham September 26, 1916
931251 Thorne Arden Rufus Truro September 15, 1916
931752 Thornton Samuel Hamilton January 15, 1917
931717 Tivis John Bennett Windsor January 5, 1917
931519 Tolbert James Arthur Windsor September 5, 1916
931003 Tolliver William Halifax July 19, 1916
931389 Tolliver George Washington Truro December 30, 1916
931634 Toulmin Alexander Windsor November 20, 1916
931418 Treling Frank Halifax February 19, 1917
931666 Trice Ben Windsor December 14, 1916
931222 Tucker Alfred Gray Amherst August 14, 1916
931711 Tucker Ulysses Grant Windsor January 6, 1917
931653 Tudor Alfred Augustus Windsor December 4, 1916
931234 Tully Reginald Halifax September 2, 1916
931100 Turner Harry Halifax August 7, 1916
931180 Turner John Halifax August 21, 1916
931233 Turner Benjamin Paris Halifax September 1, 1916
931299 Turner Russell Truro October 4, 1916
931334 Turner Samuel Windsor NS October 18, 1916
931343 Turner Joseph Windsor NS October 28, 1916
931811 Turner Will Windsor February 14, 1917
931111 Tyler Charles Elijah Saint John August 10, 1916
931239 Tyler Arthur Seymour Saint John September 14, 1916
931250 Tyler Fletcher Bridgetown September 16, 1916
931044 Tynes Harry Henry Truro July 20, 1916
931247 Tynes Reggie Halifax September 12, 1916
931304 Tynes Frederick Truro October 10, 1916
931348 Tynes Archie Halifax November 20, 1916
931412 Tynes Byron Hatfield Dartmouth January 4, 1917
931416 Tynes James Frederick Halifax January 17, 1917
931526 Vandross Joshua Daniel Windsor September 14, 1916
931667 Vandyke Clarence Chatham December 14, 1916
931676 Vassar Perkin Moose Jaw December 18, 1916
931767 Vines Kelly Windsor January 27, 1917
931824 Virgil Damascus Edmonton February 5, 1917
931346 Waith Evans Truro November 8, 1916
243638 Waldrow Charles Octavius Montreal July 8, 1916
931544 Wales James Huston Dresden September 29, 1916
931627 Wallace Samuel E. Windsor November 13, 1916
931670 Wallace John Henry Chatham December 11, 1916
931639 Walton Charles Winnipeg November 16, 1916
931764 Walton Archer Windsor January 26, 1917
931680 Ward Ray Chatham December 27, 1916
931686 Ward Joseph Windsor January 2, 1917
931656 Ware William James Calgary November 24, 1916
931657 Ware Arthur Nelson Calgary November 25, 1916
931413 Washington Edward Syeth Truro January 27, 1917
931555 Washington Benjamin Edmonton September 16, 1916
931095 Watkins Leroy Halifax August 7, 1916
1021281 Watson James Prince Albert January 4, 1916
739886 Weatherfoot Alvin Dunnville September 27, 2016
931587 Webster John Robin Hamilton October 17, 1916
931597 Webster Harrison Saskatoon October 20, 1916
931369 Welch James Edward Truro December 8, 1916
931716 Welford John Windsor January 5, 1917
931316 Wesley William Truro October 13, 1916
931175 Wesley Benjamin Yarmouth August 15, 1916
931564 West Quester Youngstown September 21, 1916
931607 Wharton William Windsor November 1, 1916
931133 Whelan George Alfred Pictou August 14, 1916
931613 Whims Robert Clark Victoria October 24, 1916
931614 Whims James Douglas Victoria October 24, 1916
931750 Whistnant Judge Edmonton December 27, 1916
931638 Whitaker Joseph Edmonton November 8, 1916
931808Whitaker John Windsor February 14, 1917
931533 White George Windsor September 21, 1916
931706 White Jesse Windsor January 5, 1917
931210 Whitford William Halifax August 31, 1916
931702 Wigfall Jesse Windsor January 3, 1917
672681 Wildman Robert Montreal August 11, 1916
931681 Wildman Robert Montreal August 11, 1916
931775 Wiliams Frank Windsor January 29, 1917
931116 Williams Charles Frederick Saint John August 10, 1916
931160 Williams Roy Halifax August 12, 1916
931185 Williams Samuel Austin Halifax August 17, 1916
931208 Williams Nathaniel Pictou September 1, 1916
931259 Williams John Halifax September 12, 1916
931536 Williams John Charles St. Catharines September 26, 1916
931560 Williams William Youngstown September 21, 1916
931624 Williams Henry Windsor November 11, 1916
931646 Williams Clinton Windsor November 29, 1916
931665 Williams Edward Windsor December 12, 1916
931684 Williams Coleman Windsor December 30, 1916
931796 Williams Eugene Windsor February 8, 1917
931798 Williams Sylvester Windsor February 18, 1917
931799 Williams John Windsor February 8, 1917
931837 Williams Tillman McKinley Truro February 13, 1917
931744 Willis John Windsor January 17, 1917
931008 Wilson William Halifax July 20, 1916
931169 Wilson James Arlington Halifax August 17, 1916
931176 Wilson Austin Yarmouth August15, 1916
931181 Wilson Harry Nathaniel Halifax August 17, 1916
931229 Wilson Gordon Charles Halifax September 2, 1916
931642 Wilson Harvey Windsor November 24, 1916
931664 Wilson Ottinger Windsor December 12, 1916
931537 Wimbish George St. Catharines September 26, 1916
2073 Wintworth James Edward Vancouver September 16, 1916
931710 Woods Neil Windsor January 7, 1917
931672 Woodson John Winnipeg December 11, 1916
931518 Wright Willoughby James Windsor September 8, 1916
931574 Wright James Hillier Windsor October 10, 1916
931603 Wright Cornelius Chatham October 23, 1916
931616 Wright Harry Victoria October 23, 1916
931687 Wright Henry Windsor January 2, 1917
931145 Young John James Pictou August 16, 1916
931375 Young Stanley Charles Liverpool December 26, 1916
931705 Young Nathaniel Windsor January 5, 1917
931784 Young William Windsor January 31, 1917
931790 Young Robert Andrew Windsor February 5, 1917
931207 Young James Pictou August 31, 1916
931677 Young John Moose Jaw December 18, 1916
931729 Youngstein Charley Windsor January 9, 1917
931527 Zeigler Rubin Toronto September 18, 1916

Appendix B: NAAC Terms of Reference

No. 2 Construction Bn National Advisory Committee
2021-2022

No. 2 Construction Bn Apology Events Terms of Reference

  • Vision
  • Mandate
  • Membership of the Steering Committee
  • Membership of the National Advisory Committee
  • Sub-committees
  • Desired Outcomes of the National Advisory Committee
  • Meeting Frequency
  • Communication and Relationships to Other Committees
  • Budget
  • Governance Principles

Vision
The Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces through the Canadian Army will conduct an apology and perpetuation event in July of 2022 in honour of the No. 2 Construction Bn and its descendants to recognize the struggle through adversity they endured to serve in the Canadian Armed Forces in the First World War.

Mandate
The mandate of the National Advisory Committee (NAC) for the No. 2 Construction Bn Apology event is to advise and/or provide meaningful input to the Steering Committee on the following:

  • Advise of appropriate historical information about the No. 2 Construction Bn;
  • Organize and facilitate satellite and momentum activities;
  • Facilitate important discussions with descendants, community members and stakeholders throughout the country, and where descendants exist;
  • Facilitate the identification of descendants.

The apology event will be organized and planned by the Steering Committee comprised of members of the Canadian Army and members of the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia (BCCNS). The Apology event will coincide with the Annual Commemoration Ceremony annually organized by the BCCNS in July 2022. This apology event will ensure that the No. 2 Construction Bn is perpetuated in Canadian history. The National Advisory Committee mandate will come to end in September 2022 after the Apology event has been conducted and after an after-action report have been compiled.

Consultations for the No. 2 Construction Bn apology event will be led by the Steering Committee that will guide the work of the National Advisory Committee.

The Steering Committee and the National Advisory Committee were established in the Spring and Summer of 2021 respectively.

This initiative has been established to inform the planning of the apology event and to support outreach activities.

There will be a three-phase reporting schedule:

Phase One: August to December 2021

  • Provide advice on the proposed Apology events plan of July 2022 as presented by the Steering Committee;
  • Planning of satellite events to educate and inform the general public about the No. 2 Construction Bn;
  • Provide advice on the public discussions sessions happening throughout Canada;
  • Provide guidance on what committees should be established;
  • Provide insight to help find and invite descendants and key stakeholders to the July 2022 Events.

Phase Two: January 2022 to July 2022

  • Execution of satellite events to educate and inform the general public about the No. 2 Construction Bn (creating momentum);
  • Provide advice and input for the progression of the planning of the Apology event of July 2022;
  • Provide insight to help find and invite descendants and key stakeholders to the July 2022 Events.

Phase Three: August to September 2022

  • Provide input to compile an after-action report, following the July 2022 Apology event;
  • Provide advice as to how this committee can continue its work beyond September 2022.

Membership of the Steering Committee
The Steering Committee is comprised of eight key leaders from the Canadian Army, the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia and the Black Canadian community with a vested interest in the No. 2 Construction Bn. These members may change over the course of the planning of the events and National Advisory members would be informed upon such change. One member from the Canadian Armed Forces and one member of the Black Canadian community, will serve as co-chairs, namely:

  1. Mr. Russell Grosse
    Executive Director, Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia
  2. Lieutenant-Colonel Barry Pitcher
    No. 2 Construction Bn Outreach & Engagement Lead, Canadian Army

The Steering Committee will:

  • Chair the meetings of the National Advisory Committee to provide strategic direction, as well as the mandate, goals, and timelines.
  • Determine and provide an agenda for meetings with the National Advisory Committee. National Advisors can provide recommendations and agenda items in writing at least 3 days prior to meetings by emailing :
    no2.cef@gmail.com
  • Provide information and documentation through a Google Drive portal
  • Provide ongoing direction to the National Advisory Committee, and subcommittees.
  • Receive and share recommendations as the primary conduit of information for the Canadian Army and the Department of National Defence.
  • Liaise with the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia as the subject matter experts in planning and organizing an annual commemoration event for the No. 2 Construction Bn.
  • Collaborate in the development of a sustainability plan to maintain a website (www.no2-cef.ca) that will act as a history and living repository for the Men and the descendants of the No. 2 Construction Bn.
  • Engage No. 2 Construction Bn Stakeholders within their communities through consultation activities.
  • Plan and execute satellite events that create momentum for the Apology event.
  • Identify and report challenges and barriers that may impact the successful implementation of the Apology event.
  • Make recommendations to the Steering Committee about the nature of the apology event.

The members of the Steering Committee are as follows:

Members of the Steering Committee

Mr. Douglas Ruck
Spokesperson for No. 2 Construction Bn Community

Mr. Russell Grosse
Executive Director Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia

Mr. Craig Smith
Descendant and Community Historian

Mr. Craig Gibson
Honorary Col WNSR & Member of Black Cultural Centre Board
DND/CAF & Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia

LCol Barry Pitcher
No. 2 Construction Bn Outreach & Engagement Lead
DND/CAF

LCol Hope Carr
Public Affairs
DND/CAF

Mr. Vance White
Manager Outreach
DND/CAF

Membership of the National Advisory Committee

The National Advisory Committee will be comprised of approximately thirty members with representation from across the country. New members may be nominated by the members of the National Advisory Committee and will be appointed at the discretion of the Steering Committee. The co-chairs are:

  1. Mr. Russell Grosse
    Executive Director, Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia
  2. Lieutenant-Colonel Barry Pitcher
    No. 2 Construction Bn Outreach & Engagement Lead, Canadian Army

The National Advisory Committee will:

As members of the National Advisory Committee can change, ambassadors for Western, Central, Atlantic Canada and Outside of Canada will be appointed by the Steering Committee to act as a link for members in that region. This Canadian Army (CA) Ambassador will assist national advisors and the Steering Committee locally for the planning and execution of satellite events.

CA Ambassadors for the National Advisory Committee

Second Lieutenant Jerome Downey
Jerome.Downey@forces.gc.ca
CAF Ambassador on behalf of Atlantic Canada

Captain Kevin Junor
Kevin.Junor@forces.gc.ca
CAF Ambassador on behalf of Central Canada

TBC
CAF Ambassador on behalf of Central Canada (French)

TBC
CAF Ambassador on behalf of Western Canada

TBC
CAF Ambassador on behalf of Outside Canada

Sub-committees

As a result of the amount of information and work to organize and plan such an event, assistance will be required from National Advisory Committee members to be part of at least one sub-committee. Each sub-committee will have an assigned champion. The sub-committees will be as follows:

  • History and Public Education
  • Logistics
  • Communications and Community Engagement
  • Atlantic Region (P.E.I., N.S., Nfld., N.B.)
  • Central Region (Nunavut, Que., Ont.)
  • Western Region (B.C., N.W.T., Man., Atla., Sask., Yukon)

Desired Outcomes of the National Advisory Committee

  • Gather recommendations and seek input from regional consultations on what makes the Government of Canada Apology meaningful.
  • Produce a final report after the end of the consultations that includes:
    • Recommendations (do’s and don’t’s) from all consultations,
    • Compile educational material and provide to provincial education systems,
    • Provide accurate historical content,
    • Coordination and recommendation of viable satellite events,
    • Organization of momentum events to create regional awareness,
    • Identification and maintenance of communication with descendants locally
    • Creation of opportunities for a legacy that sustains the history.
  • This report will be shared by the Steering Committee to the Commander of the Canadian Army and through the Chain of Command to reach the Strategic Joint Staff (SJS) and the Minister of National Defence Office (MNDO). The report will provide recommendations and guidance for the execution of the Apology event.

Meeting Frequency

The Steering Committee will meet bi-weekly, and as required. The National Advisory Committee will meet on the last Thursday of every month at 6:30 PM Eastern Time, except for the month of December 2021, where the meeting will occur on Dec 16th due to the Holiday leave period. Town hall consultations with community members and descendants will be hosted by the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia on behalf of the Government of Canada. National Advisory Committee members will be requested to assist with the planning and spreading of the word to ensure wide participation of descendants and the No. 2 Construction Bn community.

COMMUNICATION AND RELATIONSHIPS TO OTHER COMMITTEES

The Steering Committee will ensure ongoing communication with the Canadian Army, the Strategic Joint Staff, DND/CAF leadership, internal working groups and other relevant internal and external stakeholders. With the assistance of Lieutenant-Colonel Barry Pitcher, No. 2 Construction Bn Outreach & Engagement Lead and Mr. Vance White, Stakeholder Engagement and Outreach Manager, and, the Steering Committee will ensure communication as required with the following stakeholders:

  • Minister of National Defence Office (MNDO)
  • Chief of the Defence Staff Office (CDSO)
  • Strategic Joint Staff (SJS)
  • Directorate of Human Rights and Diversity (DHRD), Canadian Armed Forces (CAF)
  • And all other relevant stakeholders (as recommended and/or required)
  • Flow of Communication

Budget

The National Advisory Committee, and sub-committees, have no allocated budget. The National Advisory Committee will be responsible to assist the Government of Canada with the planning and facilitation of one consultation in the various regions of Canada (Atlantic, Central, Western). These consultations will have limited funding to support the broadcasting and room rentals but must be planned in advance to respect Treasury Board Directives. Requests must be submitted to the Steering Committee co-chairs.

The Government of Canada will not provide funding for travel of National Advisors to attend meetings as all meetings will have a virtual component to reduce the risk of the spread of COVID-19.

Furthermore, the positions on the committee are on a volunteer basis.

Governance Principles

Reaching Consensus:

  • Recommendations provided by the NAC will be considered by the SC.
  • The SC will work to incorporate recommendations into plans where feasible, ensuring actions are within GoC policies as it pertains to support provided by DND/CAF.
  • Recognizing there may be varying positions on different issues, appropriate consensus will be sought on disputed topics, with the SC having final decision.

Committee chairs will ensure:

  • Commitment to good governance: Co-chairs will provide clear strategic direction, summarize the discussions, and review outstanding items;
  • Commitment to communication: Members will ensure efficient functioning and consistency in messaging, the members may debrief their management teams and employees on general presentations made to the committees;
  • Shared ownership: Members will operate in a collaborative manner and will contribute to the discussion from a horizontal perspective;
  • Perspective: Members will contribute to the discussion and participation will consist of attending more than two thirds of the scheduled meetings;
  • Preparedness: Members are asked to be prepared in advance of meetings;
  • Challenge: Members will be encouraged to offer a constructive challenge function and will be encouraged to bring proposals forward at initial stages;
  • Discipline: Members will respect each other and ensure they contribute in making this committee a safe working environment. No profanities, verbal abuse, or bullying will be tolerated.

Appendix C – Known immediate descendants

(Redacted in accordance with the Privacy Act)

Legend:
Name
Relationship
Soldier / Place

redacted member
Daughter

TBC
redacted location

redacted member
Daughter

Arthur Seymour Tyler
redacted location

redacted member
Son

Norman Kenneth Phee
redacted location

redacted member
Daughter

Arthur Seymour Tyler
redacted location

redacted member
Son

Joseph Alexander Parris
redacted location

redacted member
Daughter

redacted member
Son

redacted member
Son

redacted member
Son

George Richard Dixon
redacted location

redacted member
redacted location

redacted member
redacted location

redacted member
redacted location

redacted member
redacted location

redacted member
redacted location

redacted member
redacted location

redacted member
redacted location

redacted member
redacted location

redacted member
redacted location

redacted member
redacted location

redacted member
redacted location

redacted member
redacted location

redacted member
redacted location

redacted member
redacted location

redacted member
redacted location

John Smith
redacted location

redacted member
Son

John Smith
redacted location

Appendix D: Registered Descendant List

(Redacted in accordance with the Privacy Act)

  • There are 350 listed members

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