The National Defence Minister is ordering for an external review into sexual misconduct in the military.

Yesterday, Minister Harjit Sajjan apologized to members of the Canadian Armed Forces and Department of National Defence who had been affected by sexual misconduct.

Sajjan says he has heard the issues with the current reporting system, which is why he is ordering an external review of the policies and culture in the department, led by former Supreme Court Justice Louise Arbour.

He says they know they must transform the culture of the defence team to one of dignity and respect, by establishing a reporting system that is outside the military chain of command. He highlights the systemic problems at the route of the issue as abuses of power, discrimination, biases and harmful stereotypes.

Arbour is expected to provide concrete recommendations on how to set up an independent reporting process to support victims of sexual misconduct in the Canadian Armed Forces.

As the review is being conducted, the military is also creating a new organization, appointing Lieutenant General Jennie Carignana as the chief of professional conduct and culture.