Canadian vice admiral in court over leak charge

The former second in command of Canada's military briefly appeared in court 10 April to face a charge that he leaked cabinet secrets related to navy shipbuilding plans.

Vice Admiral Mark Norman, 54, wearing his navy uniform and medals pinned to his blazer, did not enter a plea. 

Instead, defense lawyer Marie Heinen pushed for an expedited process.

'I'm anxious to get to court, get this dealt with as quickly as possible and get back to serving the people of Canada,' Norman said following the court appearance.

Norman, who was second in command of the military prior to being relieved of duty in January 2017, faces up to five years in prison, if convicted.

He was charged last month with breach of trust - a criminal offense - for what federal police said was having 'illegally disclosed government information to unauthorized parties'.

According to court documents, Norman provided sensitive government information to a local shipyard that had been selected by the previous Tory administration to provide the navy with an interim supply ship.

In emails obtained by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police, Norman seemed worried that the project would be delayed over concerns raised by the shipyard's rivals about a lack of competition in awarding the contract.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberals put the project on hold when they came to power in 2015, but eventually decided to proceed with it.

The MV Asterix (pictured) was recently delivered to the navy to begin operations.

The trial is expected to start in 2019 just prior the next federal election.