Marie-Lise Dufort

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for indecent acts.

The accused, who has schizophrenia, a mild intellectual disability, and a severe substance use disorder, was recently discharged to a supervised group home.

The hospital recommended a harm-reduction approach allowing the accused to use cannabis in a controlled manner to help him abstain from stimulants, which severely impact his illness and could jeopardize his housing.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety but agreed to maintain the detention order with amended conditions permitting controlled cannabis use, noting no evidence linked his cannabis use to an increased risk of violence.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for assault offences.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, OCD, and PTSD, has been detained at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre.

The parties jointly submitted that the accused continues to present a significant threat to public safety and requires a continued detention order.

The Board accepted the joint submission, maintaining the detention order while expanding the radius for approved community accommodation to 150 kilometres and extending family travel passes to two weeks.

The Board also directed the hospital to expedite a long-delayed sleep study to facilitate the accused's community reintegration.

The accused was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder for charges including forcible confinement and sexual assault.

At the initial disposition hearing before the Ontario Review Board, the parties presented a joint position recommending a detention order with privileges to reside in the community in approved accommodation.

The Board found that the accused, who suffers from schizophrenia, continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered a detention disposition with conditions, including a non-publication ban, no-contact provisions, and a firearms prohibition, balancing public safety with the accused's reintegration needs.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault and weapons offences.

The accused suffers from schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and obsessive-compulsive disorder.

Relying on the uncontroverted evidence of the hospital, the Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public.

The Board ordered a continued detention disposition with the addition of overnight privileges at his father's residence, noting significant improvements in his behavioral regulation and an upcoming transition to community accommodation.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for attempted murder and aggravated assault.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial hearing to determine the appropriate disposition.

The Board found that the accused poses a significant threat to the safety of the public, citing the gravity of the index offences, a concurrent second-degree murder conviction, and a history of severe substance abuse triggering psychotic episodes.

The Board ordered a detention order with limited privileges for medical, dental, legal, and compassionate purposes, along with conditions including a weapons prohibition and abstention from substances.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused previously found unfit to stand trial on charges including assaulting a peace officer.

The accused suffers from a neurocognitive disorder and schizophrenia spectrum disorder, presenting with grandiose delusions and a lack of insight into his legal situation.

Applying the Supreme Court's recent decision in Bharwani, the Board found the accused remained unable to approach the criminal process in a reality-based manner and was therefore unfit to stand trial.

The Board further concluded that the accused continued to pose a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of his detention disposition at the hospital.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for dangerous operation of a motor vehicle committed during a psychotic episode.

At her initial Ontario Review Board hearing, the Board found that she continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public due to her schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder.

The Board ordered a detention order with conditions, including permission to reside in the community in approved accommodation, abstention from substances, and a weapons prohibition.

The hospital requested an early review of the accused's disposition to amend his housing and reporting conditions.

The accused, who was previously found unfit to stand trial on a sexual assault charge, required a change from a 'locked residence' to '24/7 supervised accommodation' due to funding and placement delays.

The Ontario Review Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties, finding that the amendments would facilitate the accused's community reintegration while appropriately managing his risk to public safety.

The accused was found not criminally responsible (NCR) on charges of sexual assault and committing an indecent act.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial hearing to determine the appropriate disposition.

The Board found that the accused, who suffers from schizo-affective disorder and a substance use disorder, continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public.

Due to a bed shortage at the hospital, the accused had been held at a detention centre.

The Board ordered a detention disposition at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre, providing the hospital with flexibility to find appropriate housing that meets the accused's mental health needs while ensuring public safety.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review and a restriction of liberty review for an accused found not criminally responsible for multiple offences including assault with a weapon.

The accused, who suffers from schizoaffective disorder and severe substance use disorders, had recently relapsed, leading to a restriction of his liberty and transfer to a secure unit.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties, finding that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety.

The Board concluded that a detention disposition remains necessary and appropriate, and that the restriction of liberty was justified and represented the least restrictive option available.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found unfit to stand trial on charges including criminal harassment and failure to comply with a release order.

The accused, who suffers from Major Vascular Neurocognitive Disorder following several strokes, continued to experience severe cognitive deficits, perseveration regarding his ex-wife, and aggressive behaviours.

The Board applied the Bharwani standard and found the accused remained unfit to stand trial, as he could not exercise a reality-based approach to his charges or communicate meaningfully with counsel, though he was not found "permanently unfit." Applying the Winko standard, the Board concluded the accused continued to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his lack of insight, exit-seeking behaviours, and need for intensive supervision.

The Board ordered the continuation of his detention disposition at the hospital, with privileges for supervised community accommodation.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for criminal harassment and uttering threats.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial hearing to determine disposition.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to his schizophrenia and history of threatening behaviour when untreated.

The Board ordered a detention order at the hospital with discretionary privileges to transition to the community.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for assault, assault with a weapon, and mischief.

At his initial Ontario Review Board hearing, the hospital and the Attorney General sought a detention order, while the accused sought an absolute discharge.

The Board accepted psychiatric evidence that the accused suffers from untreated Schizophrenia, remains actively psychotic, and is non-compliant with treatment.

The Board concluded that the accused poses a significant threat to the safety of the public and ordered his detention at the hospital with conditions, including a weapons prohibition and a no-contact order.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible, alongside a hospital-initiated motion to transfer the accused from Brockville Mental Health Centre to Waypoint Centre.

The accused, diagnosed with antisocial personality disorder, exhibited persistent aggression, violence, and rule-breaking at Brockville, leading to a treatment impasse.

The Board found that Brockville could not adequately manage the accused's risk to staff and vulnerable co-patients.

The Board ordered the transfer to Waypoint, concluding it was the least onerous and least restrictive option to manage the accused's high risk of violence while addressing rehabilitation.

Certain community access privileges were also removed from the disposition pending the transfer.

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault, sought a transfer from the Brockville Mental Health Centre to the Royal Ottawa Hospital and a conditional discharge.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing to determine the appropriate disposition.

The Board found that the accused remained a significant threat to public safety due to his treatment-resistant schizophrenia, substance use, and history of rule violations and aggression.

The Board denied the transfer request and ordered that the accused remain subject to a detention order with the hospital.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and failing to comply with conditions.

The accused, diagnosed with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, had a history of medication non-compliance and aggressive behaviour when his clozapine levels dropped.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, as he would likely become non-compliant with medication and decompensate without a Board disposition.

The Board ordered a continued detention disposition with privileges up to and including community living in approved accommodation, supporting a gradual transition to a group home.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for arson and other offences.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial review hearing under s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public due to his schizoaffective disorder, history of treatment non-compliance, and risk of aggressive behaviour.

The Board ordered a Detention Disposition to allow the hospital to manage his risk and treatment, including the ability to readmit him expeditiously if his mental state deteriorates in the community.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for assault, was subject to a mandatory annual review hearing before the Ontario Review Board.

The accused suffers from Huntington's Disease with neurocognitive decline, leading to severe agitation and aggression requiring mechanical and chemical restraints.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order Disposition with no changes to its terms and conditions.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and interference with property.

The accused suffers from schizoaffective disorder and a stimulant use disorder.

While his psychotic symptoms are well-managed on medication, he recently relapsed into substance use and was involved in an altercation with a co-patient.

Applying the Winko framework, the Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public.

The Board ordered the continuation of his existing Detention Order Disposition with no changes to its terms and conditions, while supporting a gradual transition plan into the community.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for an indecent act.

The accused suffers from schizophrenia and substance use disorders, which have historically led to rapid decompensation and increased risk to the public when he uses substances.

Despite recent positive progress and engagement with his treatment team, the Board accepted the joint submission that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public.

The Board concluded that a continued detention disposition at the hospital, with existing privileges and conditions, remains necessary and appropriate to manage his risk and support his ongoing rehabilitation.