By Canadian Press

Maj.-Gen. Fortin never got written reasons for removal from vaccine campaign: Lawyer

Sep 29, 2021 | 10:53 AM

OTTAWA — The legal battle over Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin’s sudden removal as head of Canada’s vaccine distribution campaign is continuing today in Federal Court.

Fortin’s legal team wrapped its arguments this morning by saying their client still has not received any written reason for why he was removed from his high-profile post at the Public Health Agency of Canada in May, and that no one has taken responsibility for the decision.

They allege Fortin was removed for purely political reasons as the Liberal government was worried about the optics once news got out that the senior military officer was being investigated for an incident of alleged sexual misconduct dating back to 1988.

Lawyer Natalia Rodriguez, in asking Justice Ann Marie McDonald to reinstate her client to his former position, says his removal represented inappropriate political interference in the military’s inner workings and violated Fortin’s right to due process and presumption of innocence.

Justice Department lawyer Elizabeth Richards in turn is arguing that acting defence chief Gen. Wayne Eyre has taken responsibility for removing Fortin from the vaccine campaign, which was completely appropriate, and that if Fortin had any objections, he could have grieved it with the military.

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Richards is also arguing that Fortin’s request to return to the vaccine campaign is a moot point as the position no longer exists, and that contrary to what his lawyers say, the senior officer was not relieved of his military duties but returned to his previous position in the military.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 29, 2021.

The Canadian Press