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This is another tawdry aspect to the proceedings that has obliged this proud and distinguished officer to seek assistance to defend his honour and reputation. More than $100,000 has already, without any solicitation, been contributed by well-wishers, but a good deal more will be needed to dispose of the government’s dilatory motions and procedures and to get the issue fairly tried. The main purpose of this column is to urge readers to join in assisting this dedicated career sailor and much-admired naval officer who has devoted his entire career to this country, so that he may benefit from the presumption of innocence. The practical utility of that presumption has been negated by the malicious and despotic instincts of those who are prosecuting him and denying Vice-Admiral Norman the benefit of a program to assist government employees with legal problems. His is precisely the sort of case that admirable program is designed to assist. Whatever the verdict of this case, the government’s conduct of it has been unjust. What we are facing is not only a dubious prosecution but a shameful and self-serving effort to deprive the former commander of our navy from defending himself, an elemental right in all civilized countries.

Whatever the verdict of this case, the government’s conduct of it has been unjust

The Norman case is made even more odious by the fact that in one measure or another, the admiral’s alleged offence was to do his best to prevent our navy from deteriorating completely into the unserviceable relic that the Chrétien and Harper governments allowed to become an imminent possibility. This is not the place and I trust there is no need to expatiate at length on the admirable naval tradition of Canada. We were absolutely vital in winning the Battle of the Atlantic, and were at least equal victors in that prolonged struggle with German submarines for the survival of the United Kingdom, with the Royal Navy itself, and latterly with the United States Navy also. The Royal Canadian Navy was the third largest navy in the world at the end of the Second World War, after the terrible damage done to the Japanese, French, Italian, German, and Soviet navies in the war. Our record was one of unblemished bravery and distinction.