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The average Canadian would be forgiven for taking a pass on the court case of Vice Admiral Mark Norman, who now faces one criminal charge of breach of trust.

It has to do with the complex world of government procurement contracts and cabinet confidence disclosures. Not exactly sensational stuff. At least, not at first glance.

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But this trial – likely to occur in the lead-up to or during the next federal election – has the potential to be truly explosive. It could dwarf the Duffy case in terms of national political implications.

Norman is a senior figure, having served as Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy before becoming Vice Chief of the Defence Staff in 2016.

But in January 2017 he was placed on temporary leave pending an investigation into whether he leaked sensitive documents about a naval supply ship bidding process to a private shipbuilder.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau oddly commented on the case in February, saying that it would “inevitably” go to court. Given that the single charge of breach of trust was laid the following month, it is reasonable to ask if there was any political interference in the case.