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Photo by Fred Chartrand/Canadian Press / THE CANADIAN PRESS

The RCMP allege Norman “illegally disclosed government information to unauthorized parties,” charging him under Section 122 of the Criminal Code.

The case against Norman, 54, centres on a Nov. 19, 2015 meeting of cabinet ministers, who decided to delay Project Resolve after receiving a letter from Davie’s east coast rival, Irving Shipbuilding. Though it is considered to have close ties to Justin Trudeau’s Liberals, Irving has consistently denied allegations it has been involved in any political interference intended to undercut a rival shipyard.

Though Norman did not attend the cabinet meeting, the RCMP’s searches of electronic devices and computers at Davie showed he had exchanged emails on the subject with one of the company’s officials.

Norman has denied any wrongdoing. In a statement Friday, Norman’s lawyer Marie Henein said the officer “remains unwavering in his commitment confident in the knowledge that he has always acted in the best interests of this country.”

She also pointed to the ongoing secrecy of the investigation. “We were advised this morning, only hours before the information was sworn, that Vice-Admiral Norman was to be charged. That lack of transparency has unfortunately been a feature of this investigation for the last year.

“We will address this allegation with the very same commitment and strength that Vice-Admiral Norman has displayed throughout his distinguished career,” she added. “We will respond to this allegation in a courtroom where evidence, objectivity and fairness matter and where politics have absolutely no place.”