Ottawa has announced an external review into harassment and sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces.
Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan announced the review — the second in as many years — on Thursday.
Sajjan said they have not lived up to their responsibility to protect members from misconduct.
“To every member in the Canadian Armed Forces, to every person in the Department of National Defence who has been affected by sexual harassment and violence and felt that we were not there to support you, I am truly sorry.”
Former Supreme Court justice Louise Arbour has been tasked with leading the independent review.
Arbour will look at current policies, procedures, programs, practices, and culture within the Canadian Armed Forces and the Department of National Defence.
She will also provide recommendations on setting up an independent external reporting system.
Sajjan said they know the current report system does not work as many people often feel they are unable to report misconduct out of fear of reprisal or retribution.
“These changes must be comprehensive, and most importantly, they must be lasting and they must address the systemic challenges at the root of the problem: abuses of power, discrimination, biases, harmful stereotypes,” he said.
But Canada’s NDP leader says we do not need another report into harassment and sexual misconduct in the military.
Jagmeet Singh said he has incredible respect for Arbour and believes she will do great work.
But Singh said Ottawa already has a report looking into this very issue from 2015.
“The point of reports isn’t to say when we’re in damage control let’s just launch another report. The goal should be what is happening to make women safe? What is being done to acknowledge the climate and the culture which is dangerous to women in the Armed Forces?” Singh said.
“We don’t need another inquiry. We need action from this government, from Justin Trudeau, to tell us what he’s going to do to make women safer.”
Ottawa says this new review will build on the previous report prepared by former Supreme Court justice Marie Deschamps.
“The Deschamps report was instrumental in identifying what the problem is; this new review will take a broader look at how and why our existing workplace dynamics enable harmful behaviours, and make recommendations on preventing and eradicating harassment and sexual misconduct,” said a news release.
This latest review is expected to take about 12 to 15 months to complete.
