Dany Fortin sues Ottawa for over $6 million

Major-General Dany Fortin was acquitted of the charge of sexual assault against him.

Major-General Dany Fortin, who led Canada's vaccination campaign, is suing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the federal government, and prominent military and political figures for more than $6 million in damages within months after being acquitted of a sexual assault charge.

In their lawsuit, Mr. Fortin's legal team alleges defamation , abuse of power in the exercise of a public function, conspiracy and negligence in the investigation.

Defendants' conduct was reprehensible, extreme, flagrant and authoritarian, the suit notes, adding that it is a marked departure from ordinary standards decent behavior.

The complaint filed against Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and 16 others alleges that political actors acting in concert and in consultation with each other made the decision to terminate Ms. Fortin with the Public Health Agency of Canada in 2021, during the investigation into an allegation of sexual assault.

The investigation of 2021 concerned an allegation that the Major-General sexually assaulted a woman more than 30 years ago when he was a student at Royal Military College Saint-Jean.

In December, a Quebec judge acquitted Mr. Fortin in civil court.

The judge said he believed the victim had been sexually assaulted but that he was not convinced beyond a reasonable doubt that his assailant was Mr. Fortin.

Further details to follow.