TRURO, N.S. — The soldiers comprising the only all-Black unit to fight for Canada during the First World War experienced systemic hate and racism before,
during and after their time in uniform, the Prime Minister said on Saturday as he formally apologized for the treatment they endured.
Following two years of protests, the Canadian military received approval in 1916 to establish the segregated, non-combat battalion and more than 300 of those who enlisted were from Nova Scotia. Some members assisted in constructing a narrow gauge logging railroad. They also supervised Russian soldiers sent to their camp as labourers.
“For not letting Black service members fight alongside their white compatriots, for denying members of the No. 2 Construction Battalion the care and support they deserved — we are sorry. For failing to honour and commemorate the contribution of No. 2 Construction Battalion and their descendants, for the blatant anti-Black hate and racism that denied these men dignity in life and death – we are sorry.
Many of the descendants of the battalion members said they were pleased with the apology and the fact more people will learn of the unit’s history.
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