Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin charged with sexual assault

OTTAWA – The military officer who once led Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution campaign has been charged with one count of sexual assault.

With his wife and lawyer by his side, Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin arrived at a Gatineau, Que. police station in full dress uniform to turn himself in after being told there was an arrest warrant issued earlier this week.

Man Gen Dany Fortin arrives at a Gatineau police station where he is to be charged with one count of sexual assault. #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/KWZfhW46AG

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) August 18, 2021

Fortin says the charge stems from an allegation from more than 30 years ago, in 1988, though he did not elaborate.

“I learned about the general nature of the allegation from a reporter shortly after I was relieved from my job,” he said.

Fortin was abruptly removed from his post at the Public Health Agency of Canada in May after leading the distribution of vaccines across the country for months.

“My legal team has repeatedly, repeatedly contacted prosecutors to seek information with no success,” he told reporters, adding he’s been “force to read much about me in media, with no ability or no outlet to defend my name.”

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Fortin maintains his innocence and is fighting his removal in Federal Court, alleging political interference by the Liberal government.

“I am, reluctantly and at my own expense, forced to pursue two forms of legal redress,” he explained. “The first, to vigorously defend myself against the charge laid today. And second, to ask the Federal Court to consider the lack of due process afforded to me throughout this ordeal. As the acting chief of the defence staff told me, confirmed in his personal notes, the decision to remove me was the result of a political calculus. I just want to get back to work.”

Maj Gen Dany Fortin has been charged with sexual assault. He says his removal from his position as head of Canada’s vaccine distribution was the result of a “political calculus” #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/POgMXyEcQh

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) August 18, 2021

Fortin’s removal on May 14 came 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.

Ahead of Fortin’s public statement, Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole promised on Wednesday reforms to the military to ensure women in uniform are free from harassment.

“We need a bright light of transparency, we need a freeze on promotions for general officers, and an independent investigation so that we can restore confidence,” he said on day four of the federal election campaign.

Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau said in May that he had learned weeks prior that an investigation was underway, adding his office was made aware of the allegations against Fortin.

Fortin said in June that his career “appears to be over” after he was removed from is role in Canada’s vaccine distribution.