HALIFAX,
NS, July 6, 2024 /CNW/ - Members of No. 2
Construction Battalion showed resilience, determination and
strength in the face of adversity. Overcoming racism both at home
and overseas, their commitment to the war effort was unwavering.
They deserve recognition for the sacrifices they made to serve
Canada.
Today, at the annual No. 2 Construction Battalion
Remembrance Ceremony in Nova
Scotia, Minister Fraser, on behalf of Ministers Petitpas
Taylor and Blair, announced an investment for five new projects
based in Nova Scotia, totaling
over $124,000 to support education,
remembrance and honouring of No. 2 Construction Battalion and their
families.
This funding supports projects such as a new memorial, exhibits,
community events and research projects to honour the memory and
legacy of No. 2 Construction Battalion—the first and only all-Black
battalion-sized formation in Canadian military history.
This announcement follows the historic apology to the
descendants of the battalion by the Prime Minister and the Minister
of National Defence in July 2022. In
preparation for the apology, DND/CAF worked with the NAAC, who
issued a report outlining eight recommendations to make the apology
meaningful for No. 2 Construction Battalion descendants.
Another call for applications will open later this fall.
Quotes
"At home and overseas, in times of war, military conflict and
peace, Canadians stepped up to serve their country when it was
needed most. For members of No.2 Construction Battalion, the
service and sacrifices they and their families made have never been
properly honoured. Through this program, our government is
supporting the recognition and understanding of the experiences of
many Black Canadians who endured discrimination even as they served
our country during the First World War."
The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans
Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence
"Members of No. 2 Construction Battalion, their families and
their descendants deserve recognition and acknowledgement for the
sacrifices they made to serve Canada. Despite their commitment to fighting
for Canada, they unfairly faced
discrimination, but they showed immense resilience and continued to
serve their country. The Government of Canada remains committed to providing funding
for educational events and remembrance activities of No. 2
Construction Battalion, so that Canadians can learn and commemorate
the legacy of these brave men."
The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National
Defence
"Those who served in No. 2 Construction Battalion were
determined to serve their country, no matter the obstacles they
faced. Many individuals who served in the battalion were from
Nova Scotia, the province where
the battalion was formed. Today, I am proud to help announce the
funding for these five projects that will help commemorate those
brave Canadians, their service and sacrifices."
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing,
Infrastructure and Communities of Canada
Quick facts
- No. 2 Construction Battalion, Canadian Expeditionary Force
(CEF), also known as the Black Battalion, was created on
5 July 1916, during the First World
War.
- Following the end of the First World War, the unit was
officially disbanded on 15 September
1920, without ceremony or recognition for their service or
sacrifices on behalf of Canada.
- The investment was announced in November 2023, at an event hosted by the Black
Cultural Centre for Nova Scotia, a
long-standing champion of the legacy of No. 2 Construction
Battalion.
- In 2024-25, the Department of National Defence
(DND)/Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) is allocating $250,000 in dedicated funding to address one of
the recommendations outlined by the National Apology Advisory
Committee (NAAC) by creating opportunities for education,
remembrance and honouring of No. 2 Construction Battalion. The
funding is provided through Veterans Affairs Canada's Commemorative
Partnership Program (CPP).
- An additional two million dollars
will be provided to the CPP by DND/CAF, over the next four
years, to invest in commemorative projects honouring No. 2
Construction Battalion.
- The CPP provides funding to organizations that honour the
contributions and sacrifices of Canadian Veterans and those who
died in service.
Associated links:
- Commemorative Partnership Program - Funding Programs -
Remembrance - Veterans Affairs Canada
- No. 2 Construction Battalion - Canada.ca
- Minister Blair and Minister Petitpas Taylor announce
$2.25 million in funding to honour
the legacy of No. 2 Construction Battalion - Canada.ca
SOURCE Veterans Affairs Canada - Ottawa