Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin has achieved a confidential agreement in his legal battle concerning the manner in which the Canadian military and the federal government approached an accusation of sexual misconduct levelled against him.
Fortin had been serving as the leader of Canada’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution endeavour in May 2021 when he suddenly found himself demoted amidst a probe into a sexual misconduct claim traced back to his days in the military college circa 1988.
Later in August 2021, Fortin was formally indicted on one count of sexual assault, only to be exonerated in December of the same year following a trial in the civilian Quebec Superior Court. Shortly thereafter, the Canadian Armed Forces also absolved him of all charges.
Not one to let the matter rest, Fortin lodged a lawsuit in March 2022 against 16 prominent officials, counting among them Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, chief of the defence staff Gen. Wayne Eyre, and the various Liberal cabinet ministers who were entrusted with the defence and health portfolios at the time of his removal from the high-visibility role he commanded.
Submitting a statement of claim with the Ontario Superior Court of Justice, Fortin sought damages worth $6 million. His grouse against the powerful officials included negligent investigation, improper public disclosure of confidential facts, breach of trust, as well as conspiracy to inflict damages.
The Defence Department and the Canadian Armed Forces have jointly declared today that legal actions have been settled, however, have indicated that none of the parties involved will be making any further comments on the matter.
