Mark Norman case

[jungleboy]

Much like the SNC scandal this should make for some interesting times in this country Only this will likely drag on through the mud much longer

https://nationalpost.com/news/canada...upcoming-trial

Liberal MP Andrew Leslie offers to testify for Vice Admiral Mark Norman at upcoming trial
Leslie represents the riding in the Ottawa suburb of Orleans where Norman resides and the two have worked together while in the Canadian Forces


Liberal MP and former army commander Andrew Leslie has offered to be a witness for Vice Admiral Mark Norman at his upcoming trial on one charge of breach of trust this summer.

Norman’s trial is expected to start in August but the officer’s legal team members are back in court later this week as they continue to try to get government records they believe could help in the vice admiral’s defence.

Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jon Vance suspended Norman from his job in January 2017 after the RCMP alleged he tipped off Davie Shipbuilding that the Liberal government was considering delaying a key project. That project involved the Quebec firm converting a commercial ship into a much-needed naval supply vessel. Details about the government’s decision was also leaked to journalists, and the resulting embarrassment, along with financial penalties that would have been imposed, forced the Liberal government to back down on its plans.

But the government brought in the RCMP to hunt down the source of the alleged leak. Norman, once the second highest ranking officer in the Canadian military, was charged last year with one count of breach of trust.

Norman had denied any wrongdoing.

Leslie, a retired lieutenant general who served in the Liberal government as parliamentary secretary for foreign affairs, did not respond to a request for comment. Norman’s lawyers did not respond to a request for comment.

Leslie has announced he will not be running for re-election.

He represents the riding in the Ottawa suburb of Orleans where Norman resides and the two men have worked together while in the Canadian Forces.

Sources told CTV News, which broke the original story on Friday, that Leslie informed the Prime Minister’s Office more than a year ago that he would testify on behalf of Norman.

Postmedia has confirmed through its own sources that Leslie has made the offer to testify.

But it is unclear in what capacity Leslie would testify or whether he will even be required to testify.

Norman’s lawyers are expected to bring forward an abuse-of-process motion, likely to be argued sometime in May. That motion is expected to level allegations of political interference and obstruction of subpoena requests for documents as reasons for the case to be dismissed before it gets to trial.

Bureaucrat accused of leaking information linked to Mark Norman case set for October preliminary inquiry
Federal government official at centre of Mark Norman case charged for allegedly leaking information
Mark Norman’s lawyers fight to lift redactions on emails and memos involving PMO staff
Norman’s lawyers are fighting against redactions on a series of government documents they believe could be key for his defence — including memos drafted for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on the case and a flurry of emails sent by Trudeau’s senior advisers last fall.

In their application to have the censorship removed, Norman’s lawyers say they particularly need access to any documents that show the government’s analysis on issues of cabinet confidences, as such confidences form the basis of the criminal leak case against Norman.

“Uniquely, this legal analysis is therefore the lynchpin of the Crown’s case and undermining it is central to the Applicant’s ability to demonstrate his innocence,” Norman’s lawyers noted in an application to the court in mid-April. They also argue they need access to documents that could show “improper political or strategic considerations” in how the government made decisions on protecting cabinet information relevant to the case.

Such documents may be crucial for the defence’s abuse-of-process motion.

[jungleboy]

https://edmontonsun.com/opinion/colu...e-d83729571942


FUREY: Brace yourselves — the Mark Norman trial is about to overtake Lavscam
When Liberal MP Andrew Leslie announced on Wednesday that he wasn’t running for re-election, there was considerable speculation about his motivations.

Was the retired lieutenant-general leaving politics after only one term because he no longer cared for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s agenda?

Or was the man, previously touted as a star candidate, frustrated to have been left out of cabinet while those with fewer accomplishments under their belts leapfrogged over him?

BONOKOSKI: Vice-Admiral Mark Norman and the sinking of HMCS Trudeau
FUREY: Public interest in Mark Norman case is growing
Vice-Admiral Mark Norman’s lawyer threatens to call Butts, Wernick to stand
Or, maybe, the 61-year-old who represents a riding in the east of Ottawa is in fact leaving because of news that just broke concerning a far more scandalous matter.

On Friday, CTV News reported that Leslie is on the witness list to testify in the Vice-Admiral Mark Norman case and that he will be testifying in Norman’s defence and therefore against the government.

STORY CONTINUES BELOW

Norman is defending himself against one criminal charge of breach of trust, alleging that he illegally leaked cabinet confidence news of a shipbuilding contract to the media.

Not only is Norman vigorously denying this, but the case is believed to be the first time someone in Canada has ever been criminally charged for a leak.

Since there are leaks all the time in Ottawa, the notion that a decorated and respected former head of the Navy and vice-chief of the defence staff would be the first to be charged with something that (even if true) is so minor in the grand scheme of things has infuriated military and veterans circles.

To add insult to injury, the government is refusing to shoulder the costs of Norman’s defence, as is sometimes done in cases like this. Because of this, Norman has had to remortgage his family’s home to pay his mounting legal bills.

An online GoFundMe account though has already raised over $360,000 for Norman. It’s believed to be the largest such defence fund of its kind and saw a spike in activity on Friday following the news about Leslie’s plan to testify.

That a Liberal caucus member is planning to take the stand against his own government in support of Norman will serve a lot to rally public opinion to Norman’s side.

He’s not the only retired senior military figure speaking out. “Mark Norman is a personal hero of mine,” Gen. Rick Hillier said in March at the Manning Conference. “I would stand by him anytime.”


A source familiar with the case told the Sun that Leslie notified the Prime Minister’s Office about his decision to testify many months ago. Leslie perhaps figured that this would make it almost impossible to advance in cabinet even if he was re-elected in October and even if the Liberals continue to hold government.

The Norman trial has the potential to be even worse than Lavscam. First, there’s the timing of it. While no dates are yet set — the case is currently in pre-trial — it’s believed it will unfold in August, during the lead-up to the election.

But more importantly, there is what’s at stake. The allegation behind Lavscam was that the Prime Minister and those around him attempted to interfere with the justice system to prevent a corporation from having to face criminal prosecution.

That is certainly not good. But this is different. It’s worse.

Norman’s defence team, headed up by Marie Henein, is now arguing that the charge against Norman was politically motivated because of how the leak caused trouble for the PM.

Think about what that claim actually says: The PMO worked behind the scenes to put the head of the Navy behind bars because he inconvenienced Trudeau.

Brace yourselves for a case that’s just getting started.

[HunterDave]

Yup, this one will be very similar to the judicial interference scandal like SNC. I just donated another $20 to his Go Fund Me defence fund.

[ReconWilly]

HONK HONK!!

Clown World.

[Jack Hardin]

Leslie and Norman are the same military rank.

[2 Tollers]

Originally Posted by Jack Hardin

Leslie and Norman are the same military rank.

Jack can you explain if there is a downside to this? My take is that Leslie being an MP may / will have insight in what happened and maybe able to put information forward that can be used in the questioning of Scott Brison.

[Jim Blake]

The August timing of the trial will certainly carry it through the entire Election period. Perfect!!!

[Jack Hardin]

Originally Posted by 2 Tollers

Jack can you explain if there is a downside to this? My take is that Leslie being an MP may / will have insight in what happened and maybe able to put information forward that can be used in the questioning of Scott Brison.

Being a three star general, Leslie may have insight/knowledge from both sides of the fence, so to speak.

[Grizzly Adams]

Originally Posted by Jack Hardin

Being a three star general, Leslie may have insight/knowledge from both sides of the fence, so to speak.

The governments dirty laundry, Politics precedes needs.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/mar...avie-1.4944461


Grizz

[2 Tollers]

If this is correct someone in the PMO is very worried on more backlash and do not want this in the news before the fall election.

https://nationalpost.com/news/politi...#comments-area

If this happens is there any way that Mark Norman can sue the government?

Unbelievable what they put him through and the messes on the attempted cover ups. Brison with a memo after being elected from Irving Shipyards, fully redacting a 60 page briefing memo.

This still smells.

[elkhunter11]

Originally Posted by 2 Tollers

If this is correct someone in the PMO is very worried on more backlash and do not want this in the news before the fall election.

https://nationalpost.com/news/politi...#comments-area

If this happens is there any way that Mark Norman can sue the government?

Unbelievable what they put him through and the messes on the attempted cover ups. Brison with a memo after being elected from Irving Shipyards, fully redacting a 60 page briefing memo.

This still smells.

Obviously the government wants this to go away quietly. I wonder if he has been offered a settlement to keep quiet?

[123dave]

After dragging this guy through the mud now they're dropping the charges. Very dirty.

[Twisted Canuck]

Nice. Malicious prosecution resulting in a half million in legal fees for the Forces #2 ranking officer.....because he embarrassed the Libs who were going to again politicize procurement and pass on the plum contract to their pals at Irving....and then just drop it, because the truth was going to come out.

Credit where it's due though, at least we are spending a billion on Australia's old clapped out F-18s which are just as obsolete as the ones we currently have and can't maintain and don't have enough pilots to fly. May as well ask our pilots to go to war flying Sopwith Camels.

If the government isn't overthrown in October, there is no hope.

[HalfBreed]

I now want to see the CDS burn, that rat bastard.

[6.5 shooter]

Every time the Liberals come to power they end up buying some one else's junk.
Leaky subs from the brits. Death trap planes....hell they probably bought all the used .303's after the war..Bet there is a kick back scheme ....

[jungleboy]

Sockboy would have been clobbered in the polls if this went to trial while the election was underway . The Libs blinked because they knew that this along with SNC would be their end for a long time

[Twisted Canuck]

Originally Posted by 6.5 shooter

Every time the Liberals come to power they end up buying some one else's junk.
Leaky subs from the brits. Death trap planes....hell they probably bought all the used .303's after the war..Bet there is a kick back scheme ....

Matt Gurney tells it best, with a new tidbit of info. The Americans are not amused with our procurement policies either....

https://nationalpost.com/opinion/mat...ter-jet-fiasco

[HunterDave]

I’m very happy for the Admiral. This whole case was punishment for not agreeing with Justin and publicly embarrassing him.

IMO what got this case quashed was Liberal MP, retired General Leslie’s announcement that he would testify for the defence. He was privy to a lot that went on with the PMO and he was ready to spill the beans on Justin. I have a newfound respect for the man now that he’s sacrificed his political career in order to do the right thing. I guess that Justin underestimated people’s moral and ethical fortitude when it came right down to it.

To me, this stinks worse than the SNC Lavalin scandal. There’s no doubt in my mind that Justin was involved in not only political interference in initially getting the charges laid, but he had to have been involved in political interference to make the charges dropped. There’s no way that he wanted this to be happening going into an election so he made it disappear.

Scandal after scandal after scandal!

[2 Tollers]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

I’m very happy for the Admiral. This whole case was punishment for not agreeing with Justin and publicly embarrassing him.

When you have the press openly stating:

"But the case has been dogged by allegations of political interference by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau after he publicly predicted the case would end up in court before charges were officially laid"

You know the bully got his feelings hurt and tried to do a dirty one on the admiral. Thing is when people push back against Sparkle Socks he changes the story line and moves on. Never sticks around to take it. Now he has government lawyers trying to block the 2nd court ordered review of his Aga Khan vacation. So there is more there as well.

To me this also shows a problem with the RCMP and ties back to the PMO -- full court press on Mark Norman, nothing happens on SNC.

[Albertacoyotecaller]

The Admiral needs to sue the pants off the government. This or drag JT down before elections.

[2 Tollers]

It does not look like Sock Boy can even remember that he announced that this was going to court before Mark Norman was charged or the pressure his office exerted including losing the briefing file from the Public Prosecutor on the SNC affair. Just another lie.

"Prime Minister Justin Trudeau also told reporters on Wednesday morning he had confidence in the office of the public prosecution.
“The process involved in a public prosecution like this is entirely independent of my office,” he said.""

[elkhunter11]

And now this is resurfacing.

https://capforcanada.com/900000-gift...ian-history-2/

[Bigwoodsman]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

And now this is resurfacing.

https://capforcanada.com/900000-gift...ian-history-2/

Good article. Now excuse me while I go puke! That bastard makes me sick!

BW

[ReconWilly]

Originally Posted by elkhunter11

And now this is resurfacing.

https://capforcanada.com/900000-gift...ian-history-2/

Trublow's foreign interference fund is the crown jewel of treason.

[HunterDave]

The charges haven't been dropped, they have been stayed. That means that they can proceed with the charges at a future date. More Liberal BS!

[2 Tollers]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

The charges haven't been dropped, they have been stayed. That means that they can proceed with the charges at a future date. More Liberal BS!

Just another slimy move by Sparkle Socks and his team. By staying the prosecution for a year this puts pressure on Norman not to openly speak on the issue and his defence findings before the October election. Nice chess move by Junior and his team.

[Positrac]

https://torontosun.com/opinion/colum...ver-its-tracks

Trudeau government trying to cover its tracks

Don’t get caught.

If your political party has been caught obstructing justice — as the political party led by Justin Trudeau assuredly was, in the SNC-Lavalin scandal — what’s the one thing you need to avoid, at all costs?

Getting caught obstructing justice again, of course.

And that’s what the Trudeau regime’s prosecution of Vice-Admiral Mark Norman would have exposed: Senior Trudeau government officials, implicated in a scheme to use the criminal justice system to punish an alleged whistleblower. In this case, the second-highest-ranking officer in the Canadian Forces.

The “crime” Norman was accused of wasn’t a crime at all. In the early days of the Trudeau government, some senior cabinet ministers and political staffers tried to interfere in a multimillion-dollar contract that had been awarded for a much-needed supply ship for the Royal Canadian Navy. As in the LavScam scandal, senior Grits wanted the contract to go to a firm that had supported them politically.

A whistleblower blew the whistle — just like in LavScam — and leaked the story to the media. The Trudeau government was livid. They went after the alleged whistleblower — just like they went after Jody Wilson-Raybould and Jane Philpott for blowing the whistle on corruption.

Norman — like Wilson-Raybould and Philpott — deserved the Order of Canada, not persecution, for refusing to break the rules to help out a Trudeau government political crony. They didn’t deserve to have their lives and reputations destroyed.

Justin Trudeau — who, angelic visage notwithstanding, is a vengeful and petty little man — went after Norman, viciously. The vice-admiral was criminally charged with breach of trust. Norman vehemently denied he was the source of the leak, and hired one of the best lawyers in Canada, Marie Heinen (who, full disclosure, this writer’s firm has worked with in the past).

That’s when things got interesting.

Back in February, during the pre-trial legal skirmishing over documents Trudeau’s staff were covering up, a shocking revelation came to light. Norman’s lawyers alleged that prosecutors had been talking trial strategy with Trudeau’s personal bureaucrats in the Privy Council Office (PCO).

That’s a big no-no. As in the LavScam case, criminal prosecutions must always be independent of politics. If the likes of Trudeau can use the criminal justice system to reward friends (like SNC-Lavalin) and punish enemies (like Norman), we will have fully become a totalitarian regime. We are no longer a true democracy.
related links Crown drops breach-of-trust case against Mark Norman

“By all appearances,” one of Norman’s lawyers told the trial judge in February, “this is a more direct influencing of the prosecution … the Prime Minister’s Office, via its right arm the PCO, is dealing directly with the PPSC (Public Prosecution Service of Canada). And the prosecution service is allowing this to happen.”

The presiding judge was not impressed. “So much for the independence of the PPSC,” declared Judge Heather Perkins-McVey.

And, it was at that moment that many of us knew that Norman’s trial — scheduled for August, just weeks before the election writs were going to drop — was never going to happen. In open court, a senior judge had taken note of political interference by Trudeau’s PMO and PCO. And, at that point, for Trudeau and his winged monkeys, it became crucial that the trial never be allowed to happen.

And, now it won’t. As Christie Blatchford revealed in a Postmedia scoop, the Trudeau government abruptly decided to suddenly drop the prosecution of Norman. On Wednesday, they stayed the charges.

After LavScam — and after the attempted show trial of Norman — we can now be left with only one conclusion:

This is the most corrupt federal government in Canada’s history.

And they must — must — be defeated.

[32-40win]

That article pretty much nails it. Along with C71, C48, C69, C75, M103 and various other things they snuck in to various legislation, this gov't has to go.
Voting for fringe parties and the NDP will not help, even if a person does not agree with some stuff in the Cons platform, they will at least correct a good portion of this, but, they need a majority to do it. If the Cons wind up in a minority gov't with the NDP or a Quebec party in the swing vote seat, this country will split, and things will get worse, for a long time to come.

[Bigwoodsman]

Originally Posted by 32-40win

That article pretty much nails it. Along with C71, C48, C69, C75, M103 and various other things they snuck in to various legislation, this gov't has to go.
Voting for fringe parties and the NDP will not help, even if a person does not agree with some stuff in the Cons platform, they will at least correct a good portion of this, but, they need a majority to do it. If the Cons wind up in a minority gov't with the NDP or a Quebec party in the swing vote seat, this country will split, and things will get worse, for a long time to come.

This country is headed for a split with which ever party is elected to lead. I would much prefer the Conservatives, however once elected they lose their candidacy platform identity and take on their preserve the power identity.

Western Canada is ****ed. I see a referendum within the next 4 years!

BW

[does it ALL outdoors]

He sounds eager to tell his side of the story, and I sure hope he does.