Investigation into Fortin referred to Quebec prosecutor

OTTAWA — Canada’s military police say they have referred their investigation into the general who oversaw Canada’s vaccination campaign to Quebec’s prosecution service.

Military police are also confirming in a statement released this afternoon that the investigation relates to an allegation of sexual misconduct against Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin.

The statement does not say when the case was sent to Quebec’s director of criminal and penal prosecutions, which has responsibility for laying charges in the province.

BREAKING: Statement from Canadian Forces Provost Marshal confirms investigation into Maj-Gen Dany Fortin is about sexual misconduct and the case is being referred to the Director of criminal and penal prosecutions in Quebec #cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/6Gr6fJE84Y

— Cormac Mac Sweeney (@cmaconthehill) May 19, 2021

But the referral for potential charges would explain why acting chief of the defence staff Lt.-Gen. Wayne Eyre abruptly sidelined Fortin from his position overseeing the vaccination campaign late Friday.

CTV has reported that the investigation relates to an allegation that Fortin exposed himself to a woman while he was a student at the Royal Military College in Saint-Jean, Que., in 1989.

Fortin’s lawyer has said his client was unaware of the details of the allegation until a reporter contacted him on Sunday, and that Fortin categorically denies any wrongdoing.

Related Articles: 

• Trudeau says he knew about investigation into Fortin weeks ago

• Canada’s vaccine rollout operation won’t miss a beat with new military leader: expert