The earlier Deschamps report was conducted at the request of the former Conservative government, under Stephen Harper. Its final report was delivered six months before Justin Trudeau was sworn in as prime minister.
Phillips said she welcomes Arbour's expanded mandate, including powers to look at the military justice system. However, she noted that many survivors are frustrated that more wasn't done after 2015.
"I understand when I hear survivors say, 'You know, enough studies, enough external reviews already, the government has had a clear recommendation and it failed to implement it,'" she said.
Phillips said the government did not implement Deschamps' recommendation to establish an independent body outside the armed forces, to deal with issues of sexual misconduct.