External Advisory Committee on Anti-Black Racism
Current status: Open
Opened on December 1, 2025, and will close to new input on January 5, 2026.
The Department of National Defence (DND) is seeking independent external candidates to be part of an External Advisory Committee on Anti-Black Racism (Committee) being established following Recommendation 8 of the National Apology Advisory Committee report.
On this page
- Who can apply
- How to submit an application
- Selection process for Committee members
- About the External Advisory Committee
- Roles and responsibilities
- Compensation and expenses
- Additional information
Who can apply
This call out for interest for the Committee is open to individuals who:
- are 18 or older;
- reside in Canada;
- are not DND Public Service Employees or members of the Canadian Armed Forces;
- can commit between 6 to 10 hours per month for meetings and preparation;
- agree to upholding confidentiality and respectful conduct.
How to submit an application
If you are interested in being an external member of the Committee, complete the Expression of Interest Questionnaire before January 5, 2026:
Expression of interest questionnaire
The personal information submitted via this questionnaire will be received by the Committee Secretariat, a small team comprised of Defence Team members and individuals from Black Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia (BCCNS) (you are now leaving the Government of Canada website). The information will be governed and protected in accordance with the requirements of the Privacy Act and National Defence Act, Section 4. Information provided will only be used for mandated activities relating to the Committee.
If you have any questions or difficulties accessing the questionnaire and completing a submission, please contact the Committee Secretariat.
Selection process for external Committee members
Once the period to express an interest in becoming an external member of the Committee is over, a list of potential candidates will be provided by the BCCNS Selection Committee to the Minister of National Defence for review and final decision in selecting six to eight individuals.
About the External Advisory Committee
- Purpose and authority
- The Committee responds to Recommendation 8 of the National Apology to the Members and Descendants of No. 2 Construction Battalion (N2CB).
- The Committee will serve a critical role in addressing and combatting anti-Black racism within the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and DND by offering strategic guidance, informed advice, and actionable recommendations to the Minister of National Defence and Defence Team senior leadership.
- The Committee maintains a close partnership with the BCCNS so that the historical legacy of the N2CB and the longstanding Black presence in Canada inform ongoing work.
- The Committee has an advisory-only mandate and does not direct operations or personnel matters.
- Composition:
- Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the BCCNS
- One representative from the Office of the Minister of National Defence
- One representative from the Defence Team’s internal organization (Level 1) responsible for anti-racism efforts (see DAOD 1000-7)
- One representative from 5th Canadian Division
- Six to eight independent external members, including at least two Descendants from the N2CB.
- The Committee Secretariat will provide administrative support, such as agenda preparation, records of decision, and coordination.
- Co-chairs: Defence Team Level 1 Functional Authority for anti-racism (see DAOD 1000-7), and the Chief Executive Officer of the BCCNS, unless appointed otherwise by the Minister of National Defence. They will guide meetings, agendas, and the reporting cycle.
- Frequency: Quarterly virtual meetings, and one annual in-person meeting linked to the N2CB yearly commemoration in July. Additional sessions as required.
- Format: All Committee quarterly meetings will be virtual.
- For more information on the Committee, please consult the Terms of Reference.
Roles and responsibilities
- Attendance: Mandatory attendance of all scheduled meetings, with additional meetings as required.
- Estimated time requirements: This is a two-year commitment, renewable once. It will require approximately six to ten hours per month for meetings, preparation, and additional input.
- Activities and input: Review and provide input on a quarterly basis, and input into the production of an annual public report on achievements, challenges, and next steps.
- Communication: Engage in open and active communication with the other Committee members between meetings, including secretarial discussions. A respectful and inclusive dialogue is mandatory.
- Work environment: Must have reliable access to Internet and an electronic device that has camera and a microphone as meetings will be held via MS Teams.
- Official languages: Meetings will be held in both official languages, with members encouraged to express themselves in the official language of their choice.
- Confidentiality: Members are expected to maintain confidentiality regarding discussions and deliberations within the Committee to preserve the integrity of the process and protect sensitive information.
- For more information on the Committee, please consult the Terms of Reference.
Compensation and expenses
- Appointed external Committee members will receive an honorarium for their participation on the Committee.
- If the Co-Chairs deem it necessary for members to attend meetings in person, DND shall be responsible for travel expenses, based on the National Joint Council Travel Directive. All travel and expenses must be pre-approved by the Committee Co-Chairs before making any reservations or bookings.
Please contact the Committee Secretariat if you have any questions about the Committee, the selection process, or if you need any accommodations to participate in this Call out.
We are committed to providing all members with an equitable experience on the Committee throughout its duration.