Defence Minister Sajjan was aware of investigation into Fortin in March, PM says he learned ‘weeks ago’

OTTAWA -- Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan was aware in March that a military investigation was underway involving Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, several weeks before Fortin stepped aside from leading Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine rollout, CTV News has learned.

In a statement to CTV News, Sajjan’s office said the Acting Chief of Defence Staff Lt.-Gen. Wayne Eyre and the Deputy Minister of National Defence Jody Thomas informed minister Sajjan of the ongoing Canadian Forces National Investigation Service (CFNIS) investigation the same month that sources have told CTV News that the allegation that prompted the investigation was brought forward. “The minister asked that the complainant receive any necessary support and stated that the investigation must take its due course,” said Sajjan’s press secretary Daniel Minden. This comes after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters on Tuesday that he was informed “a number of weeks ago” that an allegation had been made against Maj.Gen. Dany Fortin and that an investigation had been initiated, but he did not receive details about what was alleged.

The public was first made aware of the investigation on Friday evening, when the Department of National Defence announced in a brief statement that Fortin would be stepping away from his role overseeing the delivery and distribution of COVID-19 vaccine doses across the country, “pending the results of a military investigation.”..........