A GENERAL'S `NIGHTMARE'
Fortin answers arrest warrant
Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin surrendered himself to Gatineau police on Wednesday to answer an arrest warrant in connection with a sexual assault charge.
Outside the police station, surrounded by reporters and wearing his military uniform, the former head of Canada's vaccine rollout said the arrest took him by surprise.
“For the past three months, my family and I have been living this nightmare of having no official information on the allegation, or the investigation, or any potential charges,” Fortin said.
In May, Fortin was removed from his post as the head of Canada's vaccine rollout — a move he is challenging in Federal Court as having lacked the necessary due process and which he said was based on a “political calculus.” He said he and his legal team had been kept in the dark about the specifics of the allegations against him.
“I was told then (in May) that I was under investigation for some form of sexual misconduct alleged to have occurred more than 30 years ago,” he said.
“I learned about the general nature of the allegation from a reporter who knocked on my door shortly after I was relieved of my job.”
Fortin's wife, Madeleine Collin, and a member of his legal team, lawyer Philippe Morneau, accompanied him to the police station.
Morneau echoed his client's concerns about a lack of transparency on the part of the prosecution.
“I understand that all of you here might have many questions for us today,” Morneau said.
“We ourselves have many questions that have yet to be answered.”
Fortin said the legal battle has been the toughest of his 36-year military career, describing it as a fight against an “invisible foe.” He expressed confidence that he would return to his post.
“I look forward to continue serving my country as soon as this legal matter is resolved,” Fortin said.
The charge is for an offence under section 271a of the Criminal Code, Fortin's lawyer said.
A conviction for an offence against an adult could result in as many as 10 years in prison.
He is scheduled to appear at the Gatineau courthouse on Sept. 20 for an arraignment.