By Canadian Press

General who once ran vaccine campaign expects to face sex assault charge

Aug 17, 2021 | 7:57 PM

A lawyer for Maj.-Gen Dany Fortin, who previously oversaw Canada’s vaccine rollout campaign, says the military officer expects to be charged with one count of sexual assault.

The lawyer, who did not want to be named as they were not authorized to speak on behalf of Fortin’s legal team, says the officer was told a warrant has been issued for his arrest and he is expected to present himself to police in Gatineau, Que., on Wednesday morning. 

The charge is in relation to an incident that dates back to early 1988. 

Fortin is expected to address reporters after he appears to police. 

Fortin was removed from the vaccine rollout on May 14, five days before the Canadian Forces National Investigation Service referred a sexual misconduct investigation to the Quebec prosecution service to determine whether criminal charges should be laid.

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Through his lawyers, Fortin has denied any wrongdoing and says his reputation has been badly damaged. 

Fortin’s lawyers filed an application last month with the Federal Court seeking an expedited judicial review of the decision to fire him from his posting at the Public Health Agency of Canada, and asking for the decision be quashed and for his reinstatement at the agency or another position.

In an affidavit sworn on July 13, Fortin says the impact on his “reputation and career” of the decision to remove him and reveal the misconduct investigation “has been devastating.”

Fortin says he received an exemplary performance review three days before he was removed from the vaccine campaign and was “at the peak” of his career, with expectations of a promotion or other opportunity upon finishing his job with the health agency.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 17, 2021. 

The Canadian Press