Defence chief sought meeting with Norman

OTTAWA • Gen. Jonathan Vance tried to arrange a “discreet” meeting with suspended Vice-Admiral Mark Norman to discuss the future just weeks before Norman was charged by the RCMP, newly released emails show.

Norman was initially open to the idea of sitting down with the chief of the defence staff in February, but the meeting did not happen and subsequent emails suggest it was Norman who called it off.

The correspondence between the military’s top two officers was obtained through access-to-information legislation and comes amid expectations that Norman will be permanently shuffled out of his position as second-in-command.

Appointed vice-chief of the defence staff in August 2016, Norman was suspended five months later and charged this past March with one count of breach of trust for allegedly leaking cabinet secrets to a Quebec shipyard. The veteran naval officer has denied any wrongdoing and has said he plans to fight the charge in court.

Vance, who has been in regular contact with Norman since the latter’s suspension, first broached the subject of a face-to-face meeting on Jan. 28, as the defence chief prepared for a trip to Japan.

“I would like to sit down with you shortly after I get back,” Vance wrote. “Purpose would be to take stock, discuss future and address any matters you think we should (discuss) — essentially an update from our telephone call in June.”

The defence chief said his office would set up the meeting “such that it is discreet and dignified.”

The two military officers continued to exchange emails about a sit-down at National Defence headquarters on Feb. 12 around 7 p.m., after most staff had gone home.

“I will meet you in person at the VIP entrance and take you right to my office,” Vance wrote on Feb. 4.

But while Norman initially agreed, subsequent emails show the meeting did not happen.

The RCMP’s case against Norman revolves around the newly elected Liberal government’s decision in November 2015 to reconsider a $700-million contract the Harper Conservatives had awarded to Quebec-based Davie Shipbuilding.

The contract was to convert a civilian vessel, the MV Asterix, into a temporary resupply ship that would be leased for five years, with another five-year option, until permanent replacements could be built in Vancouver.

While the plan to revisit the contract was to remain secret, court documents released last year show the RCMP suspected Norman of being upset with the decision and worried the government would cancel the project.

Norman was commander of the navy at the time and, according to the documents, allegedly worked with Davie to try to pressure the government to stick with the project. The Liberals decided to proceed with the project.

None of the allegations against Norman has been tested in court.