D. Bourget

The Ontario Review Board conducted a hearing to review a Restriction of Liberty (ROL) imposed on the accused, who was detained at a psychiatric hospital.

The accused had experienced a decompensation in his mental status, leading to unprovoked assaults on co-patients and placement in seclusion.

The hospital subsequently transferred him to a Secure Observation and Treatment Unit (SOTU) and administered electroconvulsive therapy.

The Board found that the ROL commenced on April 20, 2025, and ended on August 26, 2025, and unanimously concluded that the increased liberty restrictions were warranted and represented the least restrictive options available to the hospital.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the hospital's decision to readmit the accused, who was previously residing in the community, thereby significantly restricting his liberty.

The accused had been exhibiting a deterioration in mental status, testing positive for cocaine, and failing to maintain his supported housing.

The Board found that the readmission and continued detention were necessary, warranted, and the least onerous and restrictive measures available to manage his risk to public safety.

The hospital requested an early review of the accused's Disposition to permit him to travel to Montreal to attend his aunt's funeral.

The accused had previously been found not criminally responsible for assault offences.

The attending psychiatrist testified that a previous travel pass had occurred without issue and supported the proposed travel plan.

The Ontario Review Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties and amended the Disposition to permit the travel, accompanied by his parents, without altering the scheduled annual review date.