N.S. mass shooter preyed on vulnerable denture clients, traded services for sex

Warning: Details in this story are disturbing 

The man responsible for the April 2020 mass killings in Nova Scotia preyed on vulnerable and Black women through his work as a denturist and exchanged dental work for sex, according to a new report submitted to the Mass Casualty Commission on Thursday.

The commission is investigating the circumstances and systemic failures that contributed to the events of April 18 and 19, 2020, when the gunman, Gabriel Wortman, killed 22 neighbours and strangers — including a pregnant woman — and destroyed homes while driving a mock police cruiser.

The new report, written by staff at the Avalon Sexual Assault Centre and the Women's Legal Education and Action Fund (LEAF), includes the perspectives of women who either had direct experiences with Wortman, witnessed his behaviour, or knew others in the community who were impacted by him. The women shared their experiences in meetings with the organizations in August and September.

The denturist bragged about providing dental services at a reduced cost and, when patients couldn't pay the full amount, he would try to exchange his services for sex, according to the report.

He used his Halifax clinic on Novalea Drive in the city's north end to sexually exploit marginalized people, sex workers and African Nova Scotian women, the report says, and was known to make sexually suggestive comments to marginalized clients.

Wortman's name was a "well-known household name" among many African Nova Scotian communities, according to the report.

Wortman received subsidies through the provincial Department of Community Services (DCS) to provide dental work to people who were receiving employment support, income assistance and disability support. Between 2015 and 2020, he received $434,406 from the province for these services.

The fact that he was supported by the department meant some patients "felt this would be a safe person with whom to engage," the report says. "They assumed that thorough vetting and screening of the perpetrator would have been completed by DCS."

Wortman used his DCS subsidies to engage with marginalized people and African Nova Scotians, and gained trust by "presenting an image of doing good for the community by reducing his rates to better meet their needs."

He encouraged some marginalized people "to consider getting their teeth pulled so he could give them a 'mouth full of beautiful teeth.'"

He also offered cash to people on income assistance and African Nova Scotian women who would refer friends and family members to his clinic. 

A spokesperson for the Department of Community Services said in an emailed statement Thursday that while the department helps clients pay for some dental services, in most cases, clients select their own providers.

Some people did file complaints about Wortman's conduct as a denturist.