Federal apology coming to all-Black No. 2 Construction Battalion
Team was based in Pictou, also trained in Truro
The Government of Canada has committed to offering an official apology to the all-Black No. 2 Construction Battalion, and coordinators are eyeing the place where the men trained and prepared for their First World War.
The suitable site is part of the thinking behind having the apology, scheduled for July 9, at Truro’s TAAC (Truro Amateur Athletic Club) Grounds.
“We are probably 98 per cent certain it will happen there,” said Black Cultural Centre executive director Russell Grosse, who is working with the federal government on the event and was part of a recent presentation to Truro's town council.
“We were looking for a location which had a historical reference to the No. 2 Construction Battalion,” he said, adding the "we" is a national advisory committee made up of Canadian citizens and descendants of the battalion.
He said Pictou, the battalion's home base and the location of a dedicated monument and information panel, was considered.
“But we also wanted to look at other aspects,” he said. “We know there is a rich history and heritage with the battalion here and we came across, in our achieves, a unique photo that is the whole battalion troop formed up in Truro for training … on the very field we’re proposing the event happen.”
THE APOLOGY
In March of last year, the government confirmed its intent to apologize for the treatment that members of No. 2 Construction Battalion endured “before, during, and after their service to Canada during the First World War,” a government release at the time stated.
“The members of the battalion, their families, their descendants, and their community deserve recognition and acknowledgement from a grateful nation for the sacrifices they made to serve Canada, sacrifices which were not all on a battlefield.”
The release noted many members of the battalion tried to join the Canadian Expeditionary Force but were turned away because of the colour of their skin.
“Despite this, they persevered in their pursuit to serve their country. When the segregated, non-combatant battalion was formed in 1916, more than 600 joined and deployed overseas and to France.”
There, they constructed and maintained roads, bridges, and railways to ensure desperately needed lumber was transported to the front.
“These men conducted themselves with honour and professionalism in the face of prejudice, hate, and an unwillingness of other Canadians to serve shoulder to shoulder with them against a common enemy,” the release states, while noting the government will make a “meaningful and respectful” apology for racism and discrimination.
NEXT STEP
Grosse talked about what comes next as far as ironing out details for the July 9 event.
“We’re in the midst right now of national consultations,” he said, adding two have already happened. “We’re hoping to do one or two more where Canadians can, at least, join us virtually and have their say on what they think will make an impactful apology.
“So the next steps right now are, we are just continuing to gather that research and we’re hoping that, by early spring, plans will be concrete and very high on detail.”
The event could include an appearance by the prime minister or minister of defence. Grosse said part of the consultation process is hearing who descendants and those concerned feel should deliver the apology.
“We have heard a wide range of responses in our consultations; from the PM to the minister of defence, to the chief of defence staff, to the Governor General,” he said. “I think there is a wide breadth of who that could be, but, definitely, it will be an apology of significance for our history as Canadians.”
Grosse said they’re still seeking input from descendants of the No. 2 Construction Battalion and those interested can go to the website no2-cef.ca.