Five months ago, Vice-Admiral Mark Norman told the audience at his swearing-in ceremony in Ottawa to “fasten their seatbelts” as he took command of the second most powerful job in the Canadian military.
“We’ve got a very busy few years ahead of us,” said Norman, whose job was to make the Canadian military more efficient for the future.
But on Monday, the Canadian Forces confirmed that, in an unprecedented move, the naval officer had been relieved of his job as vice-chief of the defence staff.
Questions remain unanswered about why Chief of the Defence Staff Gen. Jon Vance temporarily relieved Norman of his duties.
Military police spokesman Lieutenant (Navy) Blake Patterson said no investigation has been carried out or is being carried out involving Norman or any of his activities.
The RCMP would not say whether Norman is the subject of an investigation, pointing out it does not confirm who is or isn’t the subject of its inquiries.
Vance signed a Jan. 13 letter temporarily removing Norman from his duties.
Vice-Admiral Ron Lloyd, the current head of the Royal Canadian Navy, has been placed in Norman’s position on an acting basis, according to Vance’s letter.
Vance has ordered that no further details be provided regarding the removal of the key officer, however a report in the Globe and Mail said it involved allegations that Norman leaked highly classified information.
“The CDS has temporarily relieved the VCDS, VAdm Mark Norman, from the performance of military duty,” Vance’s spokesman Lt.-Col. Jason Proulx said in an statement. “For the time being, he will not be carrying out the functions of VCDS.”
Vance’s office will not say what job, if any, Norman is currently doing.
Norman has not commented.
Norman has a reputation of being a straight arrow. In November he was asked to shepherd an investigation into problems at the Royal Military College in Kingston, Ont., which has been dealing with suicides and sexual assaults.
When he was navy commander, Norman led a crack-down in 2014 on excessive drinking by sailors on board ships during off hours.
The removal of Norman from his position came as a surprise to many at National Defence headquarters in Ottawa.
Vance has not explained why such a level of secrecy is needed and defence sources have questioned the handling of the situation.
At one point the 53-year-old Norman, a well liked and a highly respected officer, was seen as a contender for the job of chief of the defence staff.
Norman, who had previously been head of the Royal Canadian Navy, was appointed vice-chief of the defence staff in early August and took on the job of revitalizing the Canadian military for the future.
He was selected for the job by Vance, who said Norman would “continue the legacy of strong leadership required to ensure our military continues to thrive and meet the challenges with which we are faced.”
At Norman’s swearing-in ceremony, Vance talked about the importance of the VCDS position. “In other words, he does much, if not most of the heavy lifting that keeps defence running,” he said.
Norman’s job was to examine how to make the military more efficient. He was also spearheading the Canadian Forces and Defence department’s move to the former Nortel Campus in Ottawa.
At his Aug. 5 change of command ceremony, Norman promised an aggressive approach to preparing the Canadian Forces for the future. “Fasten your seatbelts, hang on, secure for sea. Folks, we’re in for some high-speed manoeuvring over the next several months,” he told the audience. “We’ve got lots to do. We’ve got a very busy few years ahead of us.”
The VCDS is accountable to both Vance and Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan.
In August, Sajjan praised Norman as he took over the VCDS job. “I am sure his sense of drive, professionalism and ethics will maintain strength and direction in the VCDS office,” Sajjan said.
But on Monday, Sajjan issued a new statement about Norman. “I fully support the decision taken by the CDS to relieve the VCDS from the performance of military duty,” he said.
Sajjan did not provide any other details.
Retired colonel Michel Drapeau, an Ottawa lawyer who is a specialist in military law, said he believes Norman’s removal is unprecedented. “I don’t remember a VCDS being temporarily removed under these circumstances,” he said.
Norman is the son of an army officer and grandson of a First World War veteran. He has served on a number of warships during his career.
David Pugliese: • Email: dpugliese@postmedia.com | Twitter: davidpugliese
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