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In less than nine hours, Vance made his decision and completed the entire process to remove Norman, which included briefing Defence Minister Harjit Sajjan — who, sources said, did not question the actions of Vance, his former boss in Afghanistan while Sajjan was still serving in the military — and working with Canadian Forces legal authorities on the details of removing Norman from his position.

At 6:30 p.m. that same day, Norman was called into Vance’s office in Ottawa and presented with the general’s decision. He presented Norman with no other options, sources said, other than his removal from the job. Norman has since been suspended from work with full pay.

A Jan. 13 letter, signed by Vance, named Vice Admiral Ron Lloyd, head of the Royal Canadian Navy, as acting vice chief of the defence staff. Lloyd continues to serve as head of the navy as well.

Both Sajjan and Vance declined to comment for this article. Vance has previously refused to say what prompted him to remove Norman from office, but told journalists last week it was difficult for him. “I had to do it,” he explained. “But to have him leave was a bad day for me; a bad day for all of us, but sometimes, the right thing to do hurts. In this case, it was the right thing to do.” Vance has not explained why he did not move Norman to another job.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has said he supports Vance’s decision to remove Norman.

Asked by the Senate defence committee on Feb. 6 about the Norman case, RCMP Commissioner Bob Paulson said he couldn’t provide an update on the matter.