Natalie C. MacDonald

The Ontario Review Board held an initial disposition hearing for the accused, who was found not criminally responsible for second-degree murder and arson.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his treatment-resistant schizoaffective disorder and history of severe violence when acutely unwell.

The Board ordered a detention disposition with graduated privileges at the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences, adopting the joint recommendation of the parties.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial disposition hearing for the accused, who was found not criminally responsible for two counts of assault against his mother.

The accused suffers from treatment-resistant schizophrenia and an intellectual disability.

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

The Board ordered that the accused be detained in the hospital's Forensic Program, with privileges and conditions including a prohibition on attending his mother's residence and a requirement that any community living privilege be in supervised accommodation.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for arson and other offences.

The hospital, Crown, and accused jointly submitted that the accused no longer posed a significant threat to the safety of the public.

The Board found that the accused had maintained abstinence from substances, adhered to medication, and established a strong framework of community support.

Concluding that any remaining behavioural issues did not constitute a real risk of serious harm, the Board granted an absolute discharge.

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

The hospital, Crown, and accused jointly submitted that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety and should remain detained.

The Board agreed, noting recent incidents of aggression and substance use, but modified the detention order to specify placement in a General Forensic Unit to reflect his current housing.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing to determine whether the accused, previously found unfit to stand trial on various charges, remained unfit.

Based on the hospital report and psychiatric testimony, the Board found that the accused's mental state had stabilized in a supervised community setting and that she now met the criteria for fitness to stand trial.

The Board ordered the accused returned to court for a fitness determination pursuant to section 672.48(2) of the Criminal Code.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for weapons and breach offences.

The hospital and Crown recommended continued detention in a Secure Forensic Unit and the removal of community living privileges, citing the accused's impulsivity, aggression, and need for medication stability.

The Board ordered the accused's continued detention in the Secure Forensic Unit, granting the hospital discretion to transfer him to a General Forensic Unit when clinically appropriate, and removed the community living privilege as unrealistic for the coming year.

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assaulting a peace officer, was detained at a forensic hospital with community living privileges.

Following a relapse involving alcohol and cannabis use, the hospital readmitted her, significantly restricting her liberties for over seven days.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing under s. 672.81(2.1) of the Criminal Code.

The Board agreed with the joint submission of the parties that the readmission was necessary, reasonable, and appropriate to treat the escalation in substance use, and that her five-week hospital stay was the least onerous and least restrictive disposition in the circumstances.

The accused was found not criminally responsible on charges of sexual assault, forcible confinement, and identity fraud.

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

The hospital and Crown argued the accused remained a significant threat to public safety due to treatment-resistant bipolar disorder and rapid decompensation, seeking a conditional discharge.

The accused sought an absolute discharge.

The Board accepted the hospital's evidence, finding the accused posed a significant threat to public safety, and ordered a conditional discharge with terms proposed by the hospital, excluding a no-contact order.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for various offences including robbery with a weapon.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had been living successfully in the community under a conditional discharge.

Based on psychiatric evidence that the accused was in full remission, highly compliant with medication, and posed a low risk of violent re-offending, all parties jointly submitted that he should be absolutely discharged.

The Board concluded the accused no longer posed a significant threat to public safety and ordered an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for second-degree murder.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had made positive progress over the past year but remained a significant threat to public safety.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties and issued a hybrid order, directing the accused's continued detention in a Secure Forensic Unit with the discretion for the hospital to transfer him to a General Forensic Unit (in a private room) when his condition justifies it.

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, cannabis use disorder, and antisocial personality disorder, had made progress but remained a significant threat to public safety.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties and ordered the accused's continued detention at the General Forensic Program at Ontario Shores.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault.

The accused, who suffers from treatment-resistant schizophrenia and a severe substance use disorder, sought the removal of a cannabis prohibition from his disposition.

The Hospital and Attorney General opposed the removal, with the Attorney General also seeking a transfer to a secure forensic unit.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered a Detention Order with no changes, maintaining the accused on a general forensic unit where his risk could be safely managed while facilitating vocational opportunities.

The Board also maintained the absolute prohibition on cannabis use, accepting psychiatric evidence that cannabis consumption elevated the accused's risk of breakthrough psychosis and aggression.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused previously found unfit to stand trial on charges including sexual assault and assault with a weapon.

The accused, who resides in a long-term care facility and lacks mobility, was absent from the hearing.

Based on uncontested psychiatric evidence, the Board found the accused remains permanently unfit to stand trial and continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board directed his continued detention at the General Forensic Service of Ontario Shores.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition.

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for second-degree murder, is currently detained at a mental health centre.

The hospital, the Attorney General, and the accused's counsel jointly recommended continuing the current detention order, agreeing that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board accepted the evidence, noting the accused's ongoing need for electroconvulsive therapy and the difficulties in placing him in a long-term care facility.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order with the same terms as the previous year.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for assault causing bodily harm and other offences.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his schizophrenia and substance use disorders.

However, noting his positive progress, medication adherence, and strong family support, the Board ordered a continued Detention Order with expanded community privileges, including up to 72-hour passes and the possibility of community living in approved accommodation.

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

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, was detained at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences.

Based on the hospital report and the testimony of the inpatient psychiatrist, the Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety.

Accepting the joint recommendation of the parties, the Board ordered the continuation of the Detention Order on the General Forensic Service, noting the accused's positive trajectory and readiness for community placement when available.

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

The hospital and Crown recommended continued detention in a forensic unit, while the accused requested a four-day community pass to visit his grandmother.

The Board ordered continued detention, specifically directing placement in the General Forensic Unit rather than leaving the security level to the hospital's discretion.

The Board also granted a modified pass of up to 48 hours for the accused to visit his grandmother in the Niagara Region.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review and a restriction of liberty review for an accused found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault and other offences.

The accused, who suffers from schizoaffective disorder, had been readmitted to the hospital due to medication nonadherence and decompensation.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of the current detention order.

The Board also confirmed that the restriction of the accused's liberty was necessary, appropriate, and the least onerous option available to manage his risk.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for various violent offences.

The accused sought an absolute discharge, while the hospital and the Attorney General sought a continuation of the current detention order.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to his treatment-resistant major mental illness, history of serious violence, and impulsivity.

Although the accused was ready for discharge to appropriate housing, no such housing was currently available.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order with privileges up to and including residence in the community in accommodation approved by the person in charge.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for fraud and operating a motor vehicle while prohibited.

The accused, who suffers from untreated schizoaffective disorder and severe alcohol use disorder, did not attend the hearing.

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

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order without change, dismissing the accused's request to remove the driving prohibition, as the accused has a history of dangerous and impaired driving and remains at high risk of relapse.