Brig.-Gen. Krista Brodie named new head of Canada's vaccine rollout

An army logistics officer who's spentmore than 30 years in uniform has been namedthe military officer in charge of the Public Health Agency of Canada's vaccine rollout.

PHAC announced today the appointment ofBrig.-Gen. Krista Brodiefollowing the sudden departure of Maj.-Gen. Dany Fortin, who left the poston Friday after an allegation of sexual misconduct was raised.

At one point in her career, Brodie commanded 1 Service Battalion, one of the military's largest units. She has also served inoverseas deployments in Croatia, Bosnia and Afghanistan.

Since the military was brought in last year to help with the planning and logistics of vaccine distribution and to keep the supply chain safe from cyber attacks, Brodie has been a key member of the teamled by Fortin.

She returned briefly to the Department of National Defencebut will now move back to oversee the vaccine distribution drive.

Iain Stewart, president of the public health agency, said putting Brodie in charge "allows for a seamless transition."

Fortin had been the public face of the vaccine distribution drive a calm, reassuring presence throughout many televised events. His27-member team includedexperts in global logistics, health careand planning.

Sources told CBC News on Friday that the sexual misconduct allegation against Fortin predated 2015 and the start of Operation Honour, the military's now-defunct campaign to stamp out inappropriate behaviour in the ranks.

The confidential sources, who could not speak publicly because of the sensitivity of the file, would not specify the nature of the allegation. On Sunday, however,CTV News reported that the allegation involved a claimof indecent exposure more than30yearsold,dating from whenFortinattendedthe Royal Military College in St-Jean, Quebec.

His lawyer, Cmdr. MarcLtourneau, said his client will fight the claim.

"It is a news reporter who informed Major-General Fortin of the allegation against him Sunday, May 16," Letourneau said in a written statement. "This took him completely by surprise. He vigorously and categorically denies this allegation."

WATCH | Army logistics officerto leadCanada's vaccine rollout:

Military officer in charge of Canadas vaccine rollout replaced

3 years ago

Duration 1:23

Fortin joins a list of half-a-dozen military leaders who have come under fire for alleged sexual misconduct.

His departure came about suddenly.As late as Friday morning, Fortin was listed as being seconded to PHACin a Department of National Defence statement involving the assignments ofgeneral officers.

CBC News reached out to Fortin for comment, but he declined and has referred questions to the Department of National Defence.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau tasked Fortin with leading Canada's COVID-19 vaccine distribution effort in the fall.

The prime minister ducked questions todayabout how thegeneral's sudden departure would affect vaccine distribution. On Friday, Defence Minister Harjit Sajjantook a stab at reassurance, saying the military would remain focused on the task of gettingmillions morelife-saving vaccinedoses into the country.

There were signsMonday that opposition parties were gearing up to reopen parliamentary hearings on the sexual misconduct crisis in the military. A meeting of the House of Commons defence committee has been called for Tuesday to discuss a proposal to hear more witnesses.

Public hearings looking intowho in the Liberal government knew about a sexual misconduct allegation against theformer chief of the defence staff, retired general Jonathan Vance, had largely concluded. The committee was on course to begin writing its report but the latest allegations involving Fortin could raise more questions.