Fortin to face sex assault charge
Maj.-gen. Dany Fortin, who became familiar to Canadians for his key job in the COVID-19 vaccine rollout, has been informed he is facing one count of sexual assault.
An arrest warrant has been issued for Fortin. The senior military officer will present himself at the Gatineau police station on Wednesday morning. His lawyers expect the charge to be laid at that time.
Fortin has denied any wrongdoing.
The Canadian Forces National Investigation Service announced on May 19 that it had conducted an investigation into an allegation about Fortin and had referred the matter to Quebec’s prosecution service.
Fortin left his assignment with the Public Health Agency of Canada on May 14, the same day the Canadian Forces issued a statement that he was under investigation.
He has challenged the federal government’s decision to end his secondment to the vaccine task force. In an affidavit sworn on July 13, Fortin said the government’s decision to remove him from the job and announce that there was investigation, had been devastating to his reputation and career.
His lawyers argue the process was unfair and was done for political purposes. “The decision was arbitrary, not in the public interest and made solely for the personal and political gain of the Ministers of Health and National Defence and the Prime Minister,” Fortin’s legal team noted in previously filed court documents.
Fortin is requesting he return to his previous job or another position befitting his rank.
The court documents noted Fortin was told April 19 by the Canadian Forces National Investigative Service that it was looking into one allegation of sexual misconduct made against him. The alleged incident was reported to have taken place more than 30 years ago.
Fortin had served as the Public Health Agency of Canada’s vice-president of logistics and operations since Nov. 27, leading the federal government’s vaccine rollout.
Fortin had previously earned praise from the Liberal government and fellow officers.
Minister of Health Patty Hajdu said Fortin’s “proven leadership and unique experience are strong assets to the government’s planning efforts” for the vaccine rollout.
Fortin was a commander during the Afghan war and in 2018 was selected to head the NATO mission in Iraq.