Halifax-area dentist facing charges after being accused of assaulting patients
Dr. Errol Gaum is seen in this photo.
A Halifax-area dentist who was suspended in November 2020 after allegations that he had assaulted his patients over several decades is now facing criminal charges.
Halifax Regional Police did not name the dentist in a news release early Wednesday because the charges had not been sworn in court at that time.
However, the charges have since been sworn in court, and the accused has been identified as 78-year-old Dr. Errol Gaum.
Halifax Regional Police say they started investigating the dentist in November 2020 . The allegations involve patients at different locations from the 1970s to 2020.
Police arrested Gaum on Tuesday. He is facing eight counts of assault in connection with eight separate alleged incidents involving eight patients.
“We thank all of the complainants for coming forward so these incidents could be fully investigated,” said HRP Const. John MacLeod in a statement. “We appreciate their patience and cooperation over the past 15 months.”
Gaum is due to appear in Halifax provincial court on April 26.
GAUM SUSPENDED, INVESTIGATION ONGOING
The Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia first suspended Gaum’s licence on Nov. 19, 2020 after it received what it says was a “significant number of complaints” about the dentist, including allegations that dated back several decades.
The board said in a statement Wednesday that it has “fully cooperated” with Halifax Regional Police and that its own investigation into the allegations against Gaum is ongoing.
The board said formal investigations can take up to a year, but that “unusually complex cases” like Gaum’s can take much longer.
“The Provincial Dental Board of Nova Scotia takes its role to protect the public inmatters related to the delivery of dental care seriously, including its role in managing complaints and disciplinary actions,” said the board.
“Nova Scotians with concerns about dental care in the province are encouraged to file awritten complaint, regardless of when an event may have taken place, so an investigation into their complaint can be launched.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pfizer booster approved for children aged 5-11 by Health Canada
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Health Canada is authorizing a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between five and 11 years old.
Woman travelling to Canada with 5 kilos of heroin arrested in Poland
A 81-year-old Danish woman traveling from Africa to Canada was arrested at Warsaw airport on suspicion of illegal possession of heroin worth over US$515,000, officials in Poland said Friday.
Trudeau nominates Ontario judge Michelle O'Bonsawin to Supreme Court
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau nominated Ontario judge Michelle O’Bonsawin to the Supreme Court of Canada on Friday. She is the first Indigenous person to be tapped to sit on Canada's top court and the appointment is being celebrated as filling an important role at the highest level of the country's justice system.
WATCH LIVE
WATCH LIVE | Transport minister testifying at committee on airport delays, flight cancellations
Transport Minister Omar Alghabra is testifying before the House of Commons transport committee this afternoon about ongoing airport delays and flight cancellations.
Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet denies sex assault allegations, says he is being defamed
A prominent Quebec cardinal is denying sexual assault allegations against him contained in a class-action lawsuit that was formally filed this week in Quebec Superior Court.
Nunavut declares state of emergency over Iqaluit water shortage
Nunavut's acting minister of community and government services says the territory has declared a state of emergency in Iqaluit to ensure the city can begin replenishing its water reservoir without delay.
Back to school: A look at the COVID-19 rules in place across provinces, territories
As students across Canada gear up to enter what will be their fourth academic year in the pandemic, CTVNews.ca takes a look at what measures will be in place in schools, by province and territory.
Canada's interim import ban on handguns takes effect today
As of today, individuals and businesses are no longer able to import restricted handguns into Canada, with limited exceptions. The move announced earlier this month is aimed at expediting a key pillar of the federal effort to cap the number of handguns in the country.
Honey shortage could extend into next year after devastating winter for beekeepers
This past winter saw record losses for beekeepers, and one expert says the prospects for next year are even worse if they face another frigid winter.
Toronto
-
Man dead, woman injured in targeted shooting in Oakville, police say
Police are investigating a fatal overnight shooting in Oakville.
-
Seniors, advocates, slam new Ontario law that could force patients to long-term care homes
Seniors and advocates say they are terrified and livid over Ontario's move to allow hospitals to send patients into long-term care homes not of their choosing.
-
Bell Media to launch CTV newsroom review amid criticism of Lisa LaFlamme ouster
The parent company of CTV News says it will launch an internal workplace review amid criticism of its dismissal of Lisa LaFlamme from her role as chief anchor.
Calgary
-
Stabbing victim in critical condition following attack near Memorial Drive
The Calgary Police Service has cordoned off a section of the Bow River pathway and closed a lane of eastbound Memorial Drive in the northeast following a Thursday night stabbing.
-
Alberta announces $5M in funding for 27 mental health, addictions agencies
'All of these organizations have a proven track record supporting people in the community to improve their mental health and their pursuit of recovery.'
-
Pfizer booster approved for children aged 5-11 by Health Canada
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Health Canada is authorizing a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between five and 11 years old.
Montreal
-
Quebec Cardinal Marc Ouellet denies sex assault allegations, says he is being defamed
A prominent Quebec cardinal is denying sexual assault allegations against him contained in a class-action lawsuit that was formally filed this week in Quebec Superior Court.
-
Inuk woman in wheelchair struck and killed by car on Montreal highway
The Nunavik Regional Board of Health and Social Services (NRBHSS) confirmed that the Inuk woman struck on Highway 520 in Montreal has died of her injuries.
-
Dieppe: Remembering one of the worst disasters in Canadian military history
One of the worst disasters in Canadian military history, Friday marks the 80th anniversary of the attack on the port of Dieppe in France.
Edmonton
-
Alberta announces $5M in funding for 27 mental health, addictions agencies
'All of these organizations have a proven track record supporting people in the community to improve their mental health and their pursuit of recovery.'
-
Pfizer booster approved for children aged 5-11 by Health Canada
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Health Canada is authorizing a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between five and 11 years old.
-
Dozens of charges laid against Edmonton pair accused of drug trafficking
Two people face more than 50 charges in an Edmonton drug-trafficking case.
Northern Ontario
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | North Bay woman killed in Highway 17 crash
There has been another tragic, fatal crash on Highway 17 in northeastern Ontario.
-
Two robbery suspects pulled over in Sudbury, drugs and stolen goods seized
A man and a woman in their 40s have been charged after a New Sudbury traffic stop leads to the seizure of narcotics and stolen goods, police say.
-
Pfizer booster approved for children aged 5-11 by Health Canada
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Health Canada is authorizing a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between five and 11 years old.
London
-
An 'incredible site': City resumes plans to redevelop Byron gravel pits
Nature trails, park land, how about an event venue? They’re all among the ideas being considered for the future of the Byron gravel pits in west London.
-
New boundaries proposed for Ontario ridings
The Independent Electoral Boundaries Commission for Ontario has unveiled new proposed ridings that would change boundaries in and around London.
-
Clinton man charged with counselling to commit murder
A 75-year-old from Clinton has been charged after reports the individual was soliciting assistance in committing murder.
Winnipeg
-
BREAKING
BREAKING | Manitoba confirms first case of monkeypox
Manitoba has confirmed its first case of monkeypox.
-
Two Winnipeggers charged after 30 kg of cocaine seized at Ambassador Bridge
Two Winnipeggers are facing drug related charges after the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) seized 30 kilograms of what is suspected to be cocaine at the port of entry in Windsor, Ont. earlier in the month.
-
Pfizer booster approved for children aged 5-11 by Health Canada
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Health Canada is authorizing a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between five and 11 years old.
Ottawa
-
Embattled city councillor Rick Chiarelli not seeking re-election
Coun. Rick Chiarelli did not register to run for a new term in College Ward ahead of the 2 p.m. deadline on Friday for candidates to register to run for mayor, councillor and school board trustee.
-
COVID-19 levels remain high as school year approaches, Ottawa Public Health says
Ottawa Public Health says there are "encouraging" signs about the COVID-19 situation in the capital, but warns COVID-19 levels remain high in the community just weeks before the start of the school year.
-
Trudeau nominates Ontario judge Michelle O'Bonsawin to Supreme Court
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau nominated Ontario judge Michelle O’Bonsawin to the Supreme Court of Canada on Friday. She is the first Indigenous person to be tapped to sit on Canada's top court and the appointment is being celebrated as filling an important role at the highest level of the country's justice system.
Saskatoon
-
Province removes teachers named in abuse allegations
The Saskatchewan NDP called on the province to remove teachers named in a multi-million dollar class action lawsuit alleging incidents of physical and verbal abuse against students by staff at the Legacy Christian Academy.
-
Saskatoon police, fire respond after two-vehicle collision involving nuclear material
Saskatoon Police Service (SPS) and the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) were called out to a two-vehicle collision involving a hazardous, nuclear material Friday morning in Confederation.
-
Langham fire chief tells town to end agreement with City of Saskatoon for emergency assistance
Langham’s fire chief is advising his town council to sever ties with the City of Saskatoon when it comes to emergency services.
Vancouver
-
NEWS
NEWS | 2 shootings in 2 months, 1 block apart in Port Coquitlam; RCMP won't say if they're connected
Police are investigating the second shooting in as many months on the same Port Coquitlam street, but won't say whether the incidents are connected.
-
Lost wolf found, returned to zoo after apparent break-in at Vancouver attraction
The wolf that was missing for several days after an apparent break-in at the Greater Vancouver Zoo has been found and returned, officials say.
-
Purchases at government-run liquor stores limited during BCGEU strike action
Shoppers at government-run British Columbia liquor stores will see purchase limits starting Friday amid a major union's ongoing job action.
Regina
-
Pfizer booster approved for children aged 5-11 by Health Canada
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam says Health Canada is authorizing a booster dose of the Pfizer-BioNTech vaccine for children between five and 11 years old.
-
New TV production taking advantage of $8M in Sask. grant program funding
A new television production will be filmed in Saskatchewan with funding from a provincial grant program.
-
Regina emergency crews rescue injured person from rail car
An injured person had to be rescued from inside a rail car in the Regina area on Thursday, according to Regina Fire and Protective Services.
Vancouver Island
-
NEW
NEW | Mounties appeal for information in Port Alberni murder case
Homicide investigators in Port Alberni, B.C., say they believe there are people in the community who have information about the killing of a 35-year-old man and have yet to come forward to police.
-
Malahat highway reopens after truck carrying live chickens crashes
The Malahat highway has reopened after it was closed in both directions for several hours Friday morning after a truck carrying live chickens crashed near the Split Rock lookout. Travellers were detoured off the Trans-Canada Highway at Shawnigan Lake Road and Shawnigan-Mill Bay Road, while oversized vehicles were being sent through West Shawnigan Lake Road.
-
West Shore RCMP searching for wanted man
Mounties in Langford, B.C., are asking the public for help finding a 42-year-old man who is wanted on an outstanding warrant for multiple drug offences, according to police.