Minister of National Defence video message for Black History Month 2021
Video / February 19, 2021
Transcript
Duty.
Integrity.
Perseverance.
This Black History Month, we in National Defence celebrate the contributions of Black Canadians in uniform and honour their proud tradition of brave military service to Canada.
Black Canadians have fought for this country since before Confederation, through the World Wars, Korea, the Gulf, and Afghanistan.
Many have made the ultimate sacrifice, such as Corporal Ainsworth Dyer and Private Mark Graham, two among the 158 members of the Canadian Armed Forces who fell in Afghanistan.
This month, let us share their stories.
We salute William Hall, the first Canadian sailor and third Canadian overall to earn a Victoria Cross for his gallantry during the Siege of Lucknow in 1857.
We salute Chief Warrant Officer Claude Cromwell, inducted into the Order of Military Merit in 2017 following a distinguished four decade career in military logistics.
We salute civilians like Cecilia Butler, one of many Black Canadian women who worked long hours in a Toronto munitions factory supporting the Allied war effort in Europe.
And we salute the members of No. 2 Construction Battalion, who served honourably in the First World War despite racism that limited their participation.
As we celebrate the many achievements of Black Canadians, this month is also a time to reflect on how to build a better future.
A future that is inclusive. A future that is just.
Acknowledging that Anti-Black racism still exists, including right here in Canada, is the first step in eliminating it from our institutions.
Last year, I announced a new Advisory Panel on systemic racism and discrimination to put on notice anyone in the military who harbours racist or white supremacist views. National Defence unveiled a policy on hateful conduct, and we also stood up the Secretariat for Anti-Racism Implementation.
Simply put, there is no room in our organization for anti-Black racism or any other form of systemic racism. It’s a threat to team cohesion and jeopardizes mission success. It is also wrong by every possible measure.
And so, this Black History Month, let us in the strongest terms reject it as we honour the thousands of Black Canadians who persevered to defend Canada, often at great personal cost.
Past generations, and those serving today, deserve every admiration of their contributions to this country and to the Canadian Armed Forces.
Thank you, merci.
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