External Ministerial Advisory Committee on Anti-Black Racism

About the External Ministerial Advisory Committee

The External Ministerial Advisory Committee on Anti-Black Racism (the Committee) fulfills the Government of Canada’s commitment to the eighth and final recommendation of the National Apology Advisory Committee (NAAC) Report, created in response to the systemic discrimination endured by No. 2 Construction Battalion.

No. 2 Construction Battalion was created on July 5, 1916, in Pictou, Nova Scotia, during the First World War. It was a segregated non-combatant unit, the largest all-Black battalion-sized formation in Canadian military history.

Throughout the war, members of No. 2 Construction Battalion faced overt and unspoken systemic racism, yet showed resilience, determination, and strength in the face of adversity. Following the end of the First World War, the unit was officially disbanded on September 15, 1920, without ceremony or recognition for its service or sacrifices on behalf of Canada.

Purpose and authority

The Committee’s work will honour the legacy of No. 2 Construction Battalion and help enhance operational capabilities by fostering an inclusive environment, where every member of the Defence Team is valued and respected.

The Committee and its members will play a critical role in addressing and combatting anti-Black racism within the Defence Team by offering strategic guidance, informed advice, and actionable recommendations to the Minister of National Defence and senior leadership. The Committee has an advisory-only mandate and does not direct operations or personnel matters.

The Committee keeps a close partnership with the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia (BCCNS) so that the historical legacy of No. 2 Construction Battalion and the longstanding Black presence in Canada inform ongoing work.

Composition

Two co-chairs:
- Chief Executive Officer of the BCCNS
- A representative from the Canadian Army
One representative from the Office of the Minister of National Defence
One representative who is the Defence Team’s functional authority responsible for anti-racism efforts (see DAOD 1000-7)
Nine independent external members, including at least two Descendants from No. 2 Construction Battalion
The Committee Secretariat will provide administrative support, such as agenda preparation, records of decision, and coordination.

For more information on the Committee, their guiding principles, scope and responsibilities, membership, or compensation and expenses, please consult the Terms of Reference.

Independent external members

Juanita DeSouza-Huletey

Juanita DeSouza-Huletey is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Dynamic Solutions International Inc. and the founder and visionary of the Canadian Immigrant Professional Alliance. An executive leader, educator, international bestselling author, keynote speaker, and community advocate, she has more than 27 years of leadership experience across government, post-secondary education, and the not-for-profit sector.
Juanita has served on the University of Manitoba Board of Governors, where she chaired the Audit and Risk Committee, and was a member of the Executive Committee. She was also appointed by the Government of Manitoba to the Manitoba Advisory Council on Economic Immigration and Settlement. As a founding Board Advisor for Women in Cybersecurity Western Canada, Juanita has also played a longstanding leadership role within Manitoba's African community.

Juanita is recognized nationally for her work in governance, anti-racism, equity, leadership development, and organizational transformation through public speaking, education, and community engagement."
Raymond Edwards

Raymond (Ray) Edwards is a retired Associate Assistant Deputy Minister and former Chief Equity and Inclusion Officer who served the Government of Canada for more than 40 years, including nearly three decades as a senior federal executive. He advised ministers and deputy ministers on policy, regulatory issues, service delivery, organizational transformation, and equity, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility, leading enterprise-wide strategies to address systemic barriers and strengthen organizational performance.

Ray's commitment to anti-racism began early in his career through community development and anti-racism initiatives at Multiculturalism Canada, shaping a lifelong dedication to advancing racial equity. He is recognized for building consensus across governments, industry, and communities, and has contributed extensively to government wide anti-racism efforts.

Ray was awarded the King Charles III Coronation Medal and the Michelle Comeau Human Resources Leadership Award. He currently serves as an executive coach and leadership advisor, helping organizations build inclusive leadership, healthy workplace cultures, and lasting organizational change.
Sean Foyn

Sean Foyn is the Principal at AfriCanadian Searchers. He holds a BA from Dalhousie University and an MA from the University of Ottawa. He has extensive experience with Black, Asian, and Muslim employee networks and bargaining units.
Sean advised on the Call to Action on Anti-Racism, Equity and Inclusion in the Federal Public Service and helped develop the Action Plan for Black Public Servants. Sean has provided recommendations to the Prime Minister’s office, ministers, Parliament, and the Employment Equity Act Review Task Force. He has led consultations with communities, federal departments, and the Parliamentary Black Caucus. As a member of the National Apology Advisory Committee that helped guide a government apology for the racism endured by of No. 2 Construction Battalion, he helped develop apology principles, community consultations, historical and media products, and recommendations.
Sean’s Black Canadian history work includes: education, the Anti-Slavery Society of Canada, Africville, Emancipation Day, and No. 2 Construction Battalion. Sean also volunteers with the Public Service Alliance of Canada, Black History Ottawa, and the Michaëlle Jean Foundation.
Doreen L. Gibson (Door)

Captain (Retired) D.L. "Door" Gibson, MMM, CD served for more than 40 years in the Canadian Armed Forces, enlisting with the Army Reserves in Halifax in 1973 and retiring in 2017 in Victoria. She currently serves as Vice-President of the Last Post Fund BC/Yukon Branch, Vice-President of the BC Black History Awareness Society, and project manager for No. 2 Construction Battalion’s (1916-1920) Legacy in BC Project.

Door has been a dedicated advocate for equity and inclusion during her public service. She was instrumental in establishing the Defence Visible Minority Advisory Group for Maritime Pacific, later serving in a leadership role (2002-2008). In 2020, she was appointed to the Minister's Advisory Panel on Systemic Racism and Discrimination and also participated in national consultations (2021-2022) with the National Apology Advisory Committee.

In 2005, then-Chief Warrant Officer Gibson received the Member of Military Merit (M.M.M.), presented by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Michaëlle Jean, The Governor General of Canada, for her support of diversity in the workplace and leadership initiatives within the Canadian Forces Health Services Group
Louis Edgar Jean-François

Louis-Edgar Jean-François, CPA, EMBA, is the CEO and founder of Hue-Manity and Chairman of the Board of Directors of Groupe 3737, of which he is also the outgoing CEO.

Co-founder of the Federation of African-Canadian Economics, Louis-Edgar has contributed to developing national initiatives that promote entrepreneurship and economic inclusion, mobilizing $1.14 billion in financial resources and creating more than 33,000 job opportunities.

A Chartered Professional Accountant and graduate of the McGill–HEC Montréal EMBA program, Louis-Edgar has received several honors, including the King Charles III Coronation Medal, the national Harry Jerome Award and the HEC Montréal social impact award. In 2023, he was named one of the 100 most influential Black personalities in Canada.
Kevin Junor

Captain (Retired) Kevin R. Junor, MMM, OOnt, CD, is an accomplished professional with a distinguished career in the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and public service.

Kevin rose to Regimental Sergeant Major and then Captain with the CAF. He was deployed to Sierra Leone and Jordan to enhance local security capabilities. He also served as the national military co-chair for the Department of National Defence Visible Minority Advisory Group. Kevin served as a member of the National Apology Advisory Committee, advising the Government of Canada on the apology to the descendants of No. 2 Construction Battalion.

Kevin is also a retired deputy superintendent from the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General. He is a recipient of the Order of Military Merit, the Order of Ontario, and the Harry Jerome Professional Excellence Award.
Roselyne Mavungu

Roselyne Mavungu is a legal scholar, anthropologist, historian of Africa, and trained in conflict resolution. Roselyne is currently the Executive Director of Villes sans violence, formerly the Center for the Prevention of Radicalization Leading to Violence.
Roselyne has led organizations in women’s entrepreneurship and microfinance as well as initiatives with a meaningful impact, such as intercultural mediation, social economy, international development, and violence prevention. Her work focuses on civic participation, financial autonomy, and equity and inclusion for people in vulnerable situations including women, immigrants, racialized people, Francophone communities, and low-income individuals.
Roselyne has contributed to major national advisory bodies, including the Co-Creation Steering Group on Social Innovation and Social Finance, and the Social Innovation Advisory Council with Employment and Social Development Canada.
Rosemary Sadlier

Rosemary Sadlier, OOnt, MSW, BEd, is a social worker, educator, Black history scholar, bestselling author, and social justice advocate whose work has helped shape public understanding and recognition of Black history in Canada for more than three decades.

As President of the Ontario Black History Society for more than 20 years, Rosemary initiated and led the successful campaign for national recognition of Black History Month and Emancipation Day in Canada, and advanced recognition of significant Black people, places, and events. She has led and served on numerous national and international boards and committees, including the committee that established the Lincoln Alexander Bust at Queen's Park, the Canada Post Stamp Advisory Committee, the Mathieu Da Costa Challenge and the Royal Commonwealth Society. She holds honorary Doctor of Laws degrees from the University of Toronto, Toronto Metropolitan University, and the Ontario College of Art and Design University.

Rosemary is passionate about advancing equity, preserving and promoting Black history as an integral part of Canada's history, and strengthening public understanding of the contributions and experiences of people of African descent in Canada.
Craig Smith

Sergeant (Retired) Craig Marshall Smith, O.O.M. is a retired RCMP sergeant and author of six books focused on Black history and achievement. Two of his books explore the history and struggles of Black members of the RCMP.

Craig was the RCMP’s race relations subject matter expert for more than 20 years. Craig has created two courses addressing anti-Black racism and Black community and police relations.

Craig has served in a number of roles and on a number of committees, including: president of the Black Cultural Society for Nova Scotia (2015- 2021), Canadian Chiefs of Police Multicultural Liaison (1992- 1994), the Nova Scotia Barristers Racial Equity Committee (2009-2011), the No. 2 Construction Battalion National Apology Advisory Committee (2020- 2022), and the Canada Post Stamp Advisory Committee (2020- 2024).

In 2025, Craig was promoted to Officer of the Police Order of Merit.

Meetings and activities

July 4, 2026: Announcement of committee members

The July 4, 2026, announcement of the committee members took place at the No. 2 Construction Battalion Remembrance Ceremony and Honour Parade, in Pictou, Nova Scotia, where members of the Defence Team, the Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, and families and community members gathered to pay tribute to Canada’s only all-Black battalion.

The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, announced the nine newly appointed external Committee members and wished them well as they begin their work to help advance meaningful and sustained culture evolution across the Defence Team.

Additional information

Page details

2026-09-24

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