The most senior defence officials in the country are appearing before the federal cabinet in the wake of the collapse of the Crown’s breach of trust case against Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, who had been accused of leaking secrets.

Both Chief of Defence Staff General Jonathan Vance and Jody Thomas, the deputy minister of national defence, could be seen walking into the meeting.

And while the topics discussed in cabinet meetings are confidential, it seems apparent the Norman issue will be among them.

The question comes after Global News confirmed last week that Norman had been granted full latitude by the former Conservative government to deal directly with the shipyard handling the interim supply ship deal at the heart of his case and was told to “find a way to get it through.”

Norman had been the second-in-command of the Canadian military until January 2017 when he was removed from his post without explanation amidst an investigation into the November 2015 leak to media of a Liberal plan to freeze a shipbuilding contract inked by the former Conservative government.

News of that plan, which would have cost taxpayers millions of dollars in penalty fees payable to the shipyard, effectively forced the newly-elected Liberals to stay the course.

Norman was not charged until April 2018, but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau twice weighed in on the case against him before a criminal charge was laid.

That had led to accusations by Norman’s defence team of political interference in the case, and prompted questions about whether Norman could sue.

Justice Minister David Lametti wouldn’t say whether the government is setting aside money in case of a lawsuit.

But he said the government is always prepared for lawsuits.

“I have no comment on that,” he said when asked by reporters if the government is setting funds aside for a potential lawsuit.

“We have funds to defend Canada whenever we have to.”

— More to come … 

Source: Read Full Article