Charged with sexual assault, former head of vaccine rollout says he lost his job to 'political calculation'

Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, the military commander who once led Canada's vaccine rollout, was charged today with one count of sexual assault relating to an incidentallegedto have happened over three decades ago.

He was toldthe charge was being laidand that an arrest warrant had been issued for him on Monday, one day after the Liberal government called the federal election timing that one member of his legal team said deserves closer scrutiny.

In a further political twist, the case will arrive in court for its first hearingon Sept. 20 theday Canadians line up to vote.

Speaking to reporters outside the Gatineau, Que. police station where he was charged, an emotional Fortin said today he's been living through a "nightmare." He saidhis lawyers know little about the case against him and the nature of anyevidence the police may haveto supportthecharge.

"I've been forced to read much about me in the media with no ability or outlet to defend my name," Fortin said.

"For the past three months, my family and I have been living this nightmare of not knowing, not knowing the nature of the allegation, the status of the investigation and not knowing if I would be charged."

None of the court documents filed on Wednesday spell out precisely what Fortin is alleged to have done.

WATCH:Ex-head of Canada's vaccine rollout speaks publicly for first time on sexual assault charge

Ex-head of Canadas vaccine rollout speaks publicly for first time on sexual assault charge

3 years ago

Duration 3:50

Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin speaks to media outside a police station in Gatineau regarding a sexual assault charge he faces. He has denied any wrongdoing.

Fortin said he believes he's the victim of"political" calculusand suggested he was pushed out of his job by Health Minister Patty Hajdu to deflect criticism of the government's handling of past sexual misconduct incidents in the Canadian Armed Forces.

"The decision to remove me from my position was part of a political calculation," he added in French, saying he was told by a military officialthe decision to fire him from his prominent position leading vaccine logistics was driven by the political needs of the governing Liberals.

"I've had the honour and privilege of serving Canadians for over 36 years in some challenging circumstances and places, including combat settings. This fight against aninvisible foe hasbeen the hardest of my career.I look forward to continuing to serve my country as soon as this is resolved."

The charge isbelieved tostemfrom an incident alleged to have takenplace sometime between Jan. 1 andApril 30 of 1988, according to his legal team.

Earlier this year, Fortinlaunched a legal challenge ofhis dismissal from the vaccine rollout. He has argued that his removal did not respect due process.

A two-day federal court hearing on Fortin's challenge is scheduled for Sept. 28 and 29.

"As the matter is moving through the legal process, it would be inappropriate for us to provide any further comment," a spokesperson for National Defence wrote Wednesdayevening.

Fortin's lawyer questions timing

A lawyer with the legal team handling the criminal case declined to comment outside of the police station, but one of Fortin's lawyers involved in the Federal Court challenge questioned the timing of the charge.

NataliaRodriguezsaid theinvestigation has spanned many months and Quebec prosecutors havehad the file in their handsfor awhile.

"So it does raise the issue and raises the question as to why they're laying the charge now," she said.

"Why not three or four weeks?Why not four weeks from today?Why is it that the day after the election is called?" Rodriguez added, referring to the day Fortin was notified of the charge.

She was careful to note that there is noevidence of political interference in the case, but believes questions should be asked about the timing.

Thechargeagainst Fortin is the latest development in an ongoing sexual misconduct crisis that has engulfed the Canadian military.

Jonathan Vance, Canada's former chief of the defence staff, is facing a charge ofobstruction of justicerelated to an ongoing investigation into allegations of sexual misconduct.

Vance's replacement, Admiral Art McDonald, has been placed onadministrative leavefollowing an investigation into separate sexual misconduct allegations, which ended without any charges. The federal government has said it is still reviewing McDonald's situation.