DM/CDS/CAF CWO Message on Black History Month

February 1st, 2024 - Defence Stories

Today marks the beginning of Black History Month, a time to honour the contributions of Black employees and community members. Throughout this month we make a deliberate effort to reflect on, recognize, and acknowledge the contributions of Black sailors, soldiers, aviators, and all Defence Team members, past and present, for all their invaluable contributions to our mission success. We are stronger as an organization when diverse voices are lifted and heard, and this should be celebrated.  

While some changes have been made to uphold the just and equal treatment of Black members of the Defence Team, we acknowledge that more must be done, and we are committed to continuing to lead change and to find impactful ways to establish and promote a culture rooted in inclusion. This must be a collective and continuous effort by all Defence Team members.

We invite you to join our National Black History Month event on February 8, 2024, by joining us in-person at Carling Campus or via MS Teams. Under the theme Black Excellence: A Heritage to Celebrate; a Future to Build, this event will be an opportunity to celebrate the important contributions and achievements of Black Defence Team members, and to reflect on the work that remains in creating an inclusive and barrier-free workplace. The event will provide an opportunity to hear about the obstacles experienced by the Black community in service to Canada.

Events, like this one, provide an opportunity for reflection on past actions and inactions and create safe spaces to focus on the firsthand experiences of Defence Team members. Your voice is important, and we are committed to support you through enduring and meaningful institutional change.

We also thank the Defence Visible Minority Advisory Group, the Directorate of Anti-Racism Implementation, and the Defence Team Black Employees Network for their continued and meaningful work in creating lasting change.

Together, we will continue to ensure that Black Defence Team members are thoughtfully supported to thrive in the workplace. This includes challenging outdated ways of doing and thinking, such as working to eliminate biases and barriers, and acting as stewards of authentic allyship. It is how we will grow and continue to strengthen the Defence Team.

Thank you to our Black Defence Team members for working to serve Canadians and Canada.

Bill Matthews
Deputy Minister of National Defence

General Wayne D. Eyre
Chief of the Defence Staff

Chief Warrant Officer Bob McCann
Canadian Armed Forces Chief Warrant Officer