By Canadian Press

Retired vice-admiral Mark Norman endorses O’Toole as ‘leader of substance’

Sep 18, 2021 | 2:01 AM

ST. JACOB’S, ONTARIO — Retired vice-admiral Mark Norman, who was at the centre of a failed prosecution by the Liberal government in a politically heated case that ended his military career, has endorsed Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole ahead of Monday’s vote.

In a 59-second video clip the Conservatives expect to share on social media Saturday, Norman says Canadians have an important decision to make in the next few days as to who should lead the country through the challenges it faces at home and abroad.

“On Monday, we need to choose a leader of substance, a leader who will face these challenges with courage, integrity, reason and a solid plan for what’s in the best long-term interest of this country,” the retired Royal Canadian Navy leader says in the video.

“I believe Erin O’Toole is the leader that Canada needs now.”

Norman was a well-known figure within the ranks who was pushed into the spotlight over allegations he leaked cabinet secrets about a $700-million federal shipbuilding contract in hopes of pressuring the newly formed Liberal government in 2015 not to cancel it. 

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He was suspended as the military’s second-in-command in January 2017 and later charged with breach of trust in March 2018, following an RCMP investigation. 

Norman pleaded not guilty and Crown prosecutors eventually stayed the charge in May 2019, telling the judge that new evidence they’d received from Norman’s defence team had led them to conclude there was no reasonable chance of a conviction.

His lawyers had spent months trying to access court documents they said needed to be handed over to ensure he received a fair trial in a case they asserted was politically motivated and troubled by government interference.

The Liberal government contested the accusation, but the Conservatives supported it, with their defence critic later saying Norman was the subject of a “witch hunt,” that racked up $1.4 million in legal costs.

After the charge was stayed, Norman said he wanted to return to active duty, but he ended up retiring in 2019 after reaching a financial settlement with the federal government for an undisclosed amount.

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

Stephanie Taylor, The Canadian Press