Defence minister apologizes to sexual misconduct victims, says Ottawa has long failed to protect those who signed up to protect the country

Defence Minister Anita Anand says Ottawa has long failed to protect those who signed up to protect the country.

She made a formal apology today to victims of military sexual misconduct on behalf of the federal government, and also apologized the government didn't put the right systems in place to ensure justice and accountability for victims.

Her apology, and those made by chief of the defence staff General Wayne Eyre and Defence Department deputy minister Jody Thomas form a key part of the federal government's 600 million dollar settlement in several overlapping class-action lawsuits.

Defence Minister Anita Anand said she apologized to the thousands of Canadians who were harmed because your government did not protect you, nor did we ensure that the right systems were in place to ensure justice and accountability.

The apologies were streamed online.