![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.bygeorgejournal.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/08\/NI_admiral-norman-1024x640-300x188.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
The Niagara Independent, May 17, 2019 \u2014 <\/em>Now what? For years Vice-Admiral Mark Norman was stuck in a legal quagmire that sullied his reputation, dishonouring his career and character. It appears that the same cast of political operatives who brought us the SNC-Lavalin scandal undermined our Canadian legal process. They consulted with Crown prosecutors and stonewalled Norman\u2019s defence lawyers. Then, at the eleventh hour, as the courtroom showdown was about to commence, the Crown prosecutors walked and the charges were stayed against the Vice-Admiral. So, what does this ordeal mean for Canada\u2019s (supposedly independent?) justice system?<\/p>\n \u201cAfter Norman, we need to ask what’s happening to our country\u201d muses Jocelyn Bamford, Toronto-area business executive and founder of the Coalition of Concerned Manufacturers and Businesses of Canada. In an erudite commentary, Bamford says that the Norman case is a \u201cmost disturbing scandal\u201d as Canadians are left with too many unanswered questions about the investigation, the prosecutors\u2019 tactics, and the PMO involvement. There are also intriguing questions about Liberal MP Andrew Leslie, a former military officer who recently announced he would not run again \u2013 and then that he would testify in defence of Norman. Bamford\u2019s core questions surround the Prime Minister, recently retired Minister Scott Brison and a number of PM Trudeau\u2019s senior most PMO advisors (including former Chief Gerald Butts who resigned over the SNC Lavlin scandal). Bamford exclaims, \u201cIs it just me, or does the whole thing suggest to others that we are becoming something of a banana republic?\u201d<\/p>\n Marie Henein, the lead defence lawyer for Vice-Admiral Mark Norman was highly critical of the legal proceedings, suggesting she had one hand tied behind her back by the Prime Minister\u2019s Office and the Privy Council Office while attempting to prepare her client\u2019s defence case. Henein observed: \u201cYou should be very concerned when anyone tries to erode the resilience of the justice system or demonstrates a failure to understand why it is so fundamental to the democratic values we hold so dear. There are times you agree with what happens in a court room there are times you don\u2019t. And that\u2019s fine. But what you don\u2019t do is you don\u2019t put your finger and try to weigh in on the scales of justice. That is not what should be happening.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cPolitics are supposed to stay out of the prosecutorial process,\u201d Henein empathetically stated to media after the announcement the charges were stayed. She adds, \u201cThe justice system officials [must] resist any sort of political interference \u2026 It\u2019s a value very much worth fighting for.\u201d<\/p>\n MP Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative lead critic on this Government scandal, frames the issue this way: \u201cAs the truth comes out about the government\u2019s persecution of Vice-Admiral Mark Norman, a chilling suspicion emerges with it: Justin Trudeau used the legal system to punish somebody he considered a political \u2018enemy\u2019\u2026 To deliberately suppress evidence that would clear Norman was vicious. It is also prima facie evidence of political interference: The light it shines upon the character of the prime minister, his staff and key officials should concern us all.\u201d<\/p>\n Perhaps the most toxic assessment of the Norman scandal came from Liberal backroom strategist Warren Kinsella, who stated: \u201cAs 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\u2026. After LavScam \u2014 and after the attempted show trial of Norman \u2014 we can now be left with only one conclusion:\u00a0 This is the most corrupt federal government in Canada\u2019s history.\u201d<\/p>\n Two sidebars regarding the Vice-Admiral Mark Norman\u2019s ordeal. First, PM Trudeau has refused to apologize. In House of Commons drama this week, the PM was asked repeatedly to apologise \u2013 and did not, instead farcically blaming Stephen Harper for the scandal. When a motion was moved in the House to \u201cexpress regret for the personal and professional hardships\u201d and to \u201capologize to him [Norman] and his family for what they experienced\u201d, the PM slipped out the back door and was not counted with MPs in an unanimously show of respect for the Vice Admiral.<\/p>\n The second point is more serious. There is a significant difference between a charge being \u201cstayed,\u201d as in Norman\u2019s case, and a charge being \u201cwithdrawn.\u201d Had the Crown withdrawn its charges, it would have meant total exoneration. However, \u201cstaying the charges\u201d indicates the Crown did not proceed at this time because it believed it did not have sufficient evidence and\/or ability to win the court case. By staying the charge, the Crown retains the right for a year to decide whether to resurrect its prosecution. The Vice-Admiral\u2019s legal headaches with the Government may not be over.<\/p>\n The SNC-Lavalin and Norman scandals raise serious concerns about this Government\u2019s respect for the rule of law and a person\u2019s expectation for fair treatment in our Canadian legal system. Most disturbing is the fact that the Government (from the PM and PMO staff through to ministers, MPs, Crown prosecutors and senior government mandarins) is refusing to explain, justify or otherwise account for what has happened.<\/p>\n In this past week Mark Norman mentioned he will eventually tell the whole story. Yet, Canadians will not hear the details from Norman for years given the cloud that remains over his head with his stayed charges and the PM\u2019s refusal to apologise. It is a story, however, Canadians need to hear — so that we might better understand and appreciate how precious a politically independent judicial system is to our country and its citizens.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Chris George<\/em><\/strong>\u00a0is an Ottawa-based government affairs advisor and wordsmith, president of\u00a0CG&A COMMUNICATIONS<\/a>. Contact:\u00a0ChrisG.George@gmail.com<\/a><\/em><\/p>\n