Ontario Review Board
Re: Jeremy Robins
ORB File No: 5324
Hearing held on: Wednesday, August 20, 2025
Place of Hearing: Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Ms. M. Labrosse
Members: Dr. W. Sutton
Dr. S. Lessard
Mr. P. Capelle
Mr. A. Bouvier
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Jeremy Robins
Counsel: Mr. M. Davies
Person in charge of hospital: Representative: Dr. J. Gojer
Attorney-General of Ontario: Counsel: Mr. J. Wright
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated September 19, 2025)
Introduction
On April 5, 2022, the accused, Jeremy Robins, was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder on charges of Convey False information with intent to alarm, Assault with a weapon, Unlawful confinement, Utter threats, and Possession of a weapon, all contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (“Criminal Code”).
Mr. Robins is currently subject to an Ontario Review Board Disposition dated September 9^th^, 2024, detaining him at the Secure Forensic Unit of the hospital with privileges up to and including to live in the community in accommodation approved by the person in charge.
On August 20^th^, 2025, a panel of the Ontario Review Board (“the ORB” or “the Board”) convened a hearing at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre pursuant to s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code. The annual review hearing for Mr. Robins was held in person. The hospital was represented by Dr. Gojer, the Attorney-General by Mr. Wright and Jeremy Robins by Mr. Davies. Also in attendance was Mr. Robins mother, Cathy Robins, his partner, Tabitha Renaud and his Case Manager, Sara Ferrante.
Without Prejudice Position of the Parties
- Dr. Gojer on behalf of the hospital, stated he queried if Mr. Robins continues to meet the threshold for significant threat. Mr. Wright, counsel for the Attorney-General, indicated he was withholding his position until having heard the evidence. Mr. Davies indicated that his client was seeking an absolute discharge.
Current Diagnoses
Bipolar I Disorder, most recent episode manic with psychotic features, in full remission.
Cannabis Use Disorder, in sustained remission
Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder, inattentive type
by history: borderline personality traits and dependent personality traits
Index Offences
- The circumstances surrounding the index offences are set out in last year’s Reasons for Disposition as follows:
“On July 7, 2021, ROBINS was apprehended under the Mental Health Act.
The accused is the campaign manager in the NDP office which is directly beside the Loyal Oarsmen Pub. On August 19, 2021, the accused was working at the campaign office prior to the bomb threat.
On the 19th day of August 2021 at approximately 1808 hours the accused Jeremy ROBINS called into 911 requesting police attend 1730 Bath Road (Loyal Oarsmen) as there is a bomb on top of the roof with a three minute timer on it which was counting down. The accused was asked numerous times by dispatch if he had observed the bomb on the roof or if he had placed it there. The accused would not answer the questions and was very evasive and vulgar to the dispatcher. The accused
could be heard screaming over 911 “Get the fuck out here or you are all going to die, there is a bomb on the roof, and I am going to set it off”.
Alex BATSON who is a bartender at the Loyal Oarsmen also called 911 advising that the same male causing problems prior now has a knife on the patio and had entered the Oarsmen with it threatening customers. On the 19th day of August 2021 approximately 1808 hours, the accused Jeremy ROBINS called into 911 advising that there is a bomb on the roof of 1730 Bath Road that had a three minute timer on it that was counting down. The accused would not answer if he placed the bomb on the roof or if he observed it but was requesting police attend quickly.
One of the Oarsmen patio servers Nick SIMPKINS advised that he observed a larger male acting very strange and annoyed in the plaza of 1730 Bath Road as he was carrying a bucket of cigarette butts with him and talking to himself.
SIMPKINS advised that the accused walked past him and into the Oarsmen Pub yelling and screaming that “everyone is going to die”. Employees didn’t recognize the male as a customer and quickly escorted him out the back door of the pub and locked it to prevent him from coming back inside and were going to call police. Minutes later, the same male made his way around to the front of the Oarsmen Patio where he approached Nick SIMPKINS from behind and aggressively with one arm holding him tightly confining him and physically preventing him from escaping while with his other hand held a knife to his neck. SIMPKINS looked down and observed the knife blade to be approximately 4- 5 inches long pressed up against his neck. The accused was screaming at everyone on the patio “that he was going to kill Nick if people didn’t sit down”. While still holding SIMPKINS the accused attempted to walk SIMPKINS inside the Pub while holding the knife to his neck saying, “so you aren’t going to let me in the restaurant?”
SIMPKINS, fearing for his life but was some how able to pry the accused’s arms and knife off his chest and neck and break free without any injuries and separate himself from the accused.
The knife had a black plastic handle with about a 4-5 inch blade.
The accused entered the Pub for a second time where numerous customers were dining including children. The accused entered the front doors of the Pub waving the knife around in his hand yelling that he was going to kill everyone inside. The accused began to walk past the bar and towards the back of the pub swinging the knife at various customers who were in his pathway threating to kill them.
A patron, James O’REILLY observed the accused being kicked out of the Pub initially and threatening violence towards people inside back in the Pub for a second time. O’REILLY observed the knife in the accused’s hands and could hear him threatening to kill people inside and walking with a purpose. O’REILLY feared for his safety and the safety of the patrons, children and staff inside the pub. O’REILLY grabbed a fire extinguisher off the wall, walked up behind the accused who still was waving the knife around and threatening to kill people inside and hit him over the head with it causing the accused to fall on the ground. O’REILLY and other patrons inside assisted in getting the knife away from the accused and detain him until police arrived.
At 1814 hours PC MORTON arrived on scene and detained the male at 1816 hours as it was initially unknown if the male on the ground was the victim or the accused.
At 1817 hours PC FLEMING and PC LAUZON arrived on scene and observed a large male in grey shirt, jeans, work boots with a large gash on the top of his head bleeding. First Aid was provided to the male on ground until regional arrived.
A wallet and a cellphone was located on the male which identified him as Jeremy ROBINS 86/01/21.
PC LAUZON had dispatch call the original complainant number of the initial bomb threat to determine if it was ROBINS or not. Dispatch call ed the number and it did in fact ring back to ROBINS cell that was in his rear right pocket.
As the investigation continued PC FLEMING formulated the grounds at 1825 hours that ROBINS was charged with uttering threats, assault with a weapon, weapons dangerous, forcible confinement, and convey false information with intent to alarm.
The accused was then read his constitutional rights to counsel and caution to which he understood and did not wish to speak to a lawyer.
The accused was transported to KGH to have his head stitched and to medically clear him. While at the hospital he was formed by DR BLOUIN, the emergency doctor.
KGH staff are to notify Kingston Police when the accused is going to be released, and he can be re-arrested on the above offences.
Axon photos were taken of the pub and blood inside as well as the injuries to the accused’s head, knife, and fire extinguisher.
Due to the traumatic events that transpired The Oarsmen decided to close its doors for the evening which subsequently an extensive loss of business from a busy Thursday.
On the 30th of September 2021 at 1310 hours police was dispatched to attend BURR 4 at 76 Stuart Street as Jeremy ROBINS was being released from a Form 1 and Kingston Police had charges for him from the Oarsmen incident on August 19, 2021, and needed to be re-assessed on the charges brought to Kingston Police station for processing.
1319 hours police arrived at KGH to be escorted to the BURR 4 section.
Jeremy ROBINS was brought out by security staff to police.
At 1345 hours police advised ROBINS that he was under arrest for uttering threats, forcible confinement, assault with a weapon, weapons dangerous and convey false information with intent to alarm.
At 1347 hours police reads ROBINS his constitutional rights to counsel and caution to which he understood and requested to speak with duty counsel. ROBINS advised that he understood the charges and said he read about it in the paper.
ROBINS was cooperative and had all his personal belongings and food with him.”
Evidence at the Hearing
The Board admitted into evidence the Hospital Report dated July 18^th^, 2025, as Exhibit 1. That document provides a great deal of information concerning Mr. Robins’ personal history, mental health history as well as his course in hospital and in the community both prior to and after the index offences. As the Hospital Report was made an Exhibit, it is unnecessary to reproduce the information contained therein in these Reasons.
Dr. Gojer testified that Mr. Robins maintains stable mood, that his spouse also attends all his appointments and that he has no intention of returning to the use of cannabis.
Dr. Gojer stated that what stands out to him in terms of risk is the nature of the index offences. He added that from the time of Mr. Robins’ initial hospitalization, he has not experienced another manic episode. Preceding the index offences, Mr. Robins was started on Vyvanse and in Dr. Gojer’s opinion, the dosage of that medication was escalated too quickly, reaching a maximum dosage of 70 mgs. On that dose Mr. Robins became agitated, his speech more rapid, he appeared increasingly irritable with a disjointed thought process and was seemingly talking to himself. Mr. Robins’ wife attempted to contact her husband’s family physician who would not discuss her concerns due to the doctor/patient relationship that existed with her husband. Mr. Robins was subsequently arrested, charged, found NCR, treated and has remained stable.
Dr. Gojer noted that Dr. Selaman, Mr. Robins’ previous treating psychiatrist, had initially prescribed a 40mgs dosage of Lurasidone and when side effects were noted that dosage was reduced to 20mgs.
At present, a therapeutic dose of Lurasidone and of Vyvanse remain appropriate. Mr. Robins shows no indicia of a personality disorder. He is a prosocial individual with no previous criminal record. As a result, Dr. Gojer opined that Mr. Robins does not meet the threshold of significant threat to public safety at this time.
Dr. Gojer testified that Mr. Robins will continue to comply with prescribed medications if he receives an absolute discharge. Dr. Gojer will continue to follow Mr. Robins in the event this is granted.
Despite the seriousness of the index offence, Mr. Robins has remained stable for the past four years. It was noted that Mr. Robins’ wife moved to Ottawa to accept a significant promotion while he was still at the Providence Care Hospital in Kingston. Dr. Gojer emphasized that there have never been any incidents of domestic violence. The couple are hopeful to have a child, and their plan is for Mr. Robins to remain at home as a househusband.
Responding to questions from Mr. Wright, Dr. Gojer advised that if Mr. Robins was using cannabis after receiving an Absolute Discharge this would constitute a low risk. Nevertheless, Dr. Gojer’s recommendation is that Mr. Robins not use cannabis. Dr. Gojer added that Mr. Robins tells him that abstention from cannabis now fits with his lifestyle.
Reference was made to page 43 of the hospital report pertaining to a discussion of the restriction of firearms which was an issue at last year’s hearing. Dr. Gojer advised that he has canvassed this issue with Mr. Robins who no longer has an interest in target practice or firearms of any kind and is focussed on moving forward as a house husband.
Asked if other medications could have a similar impact to the 70 mgs dosage of Vyvanse that Mr. Robins was prescribed prior to the commission of the index offences, Dr. Gojer responded that any amphetamine or related product could have a similar effect. The Doctor added that Mr. Robins is currently stable on a low dose of Vyvanse and has no intention of changing the medication or its dosage. The ongoing benefit of Vyvanse as prescribed enables Mr. Robins to remain focussed and he has tolerated this medication at its current dosage well for over eighteen months. Dr. Gojer added that Vyvanse assists Mr. Robins with maintaining focus day-to-day. This improves his capacity to be an effective person and improves the quality of his marriage.
Responding to questions from Mr. Davies in relation to Providence Care psychiatrist, Dr. Douglas’ concerns reflected at page 34 of the hospital report, Dr. Gojer responded that he broadly sees the situation on the same terms as her. He agreed that Mr. Robins’ mental decompensation was preceded by a slow burn of an illness over an 18-month period. During that time, sleep and appetite disturbances were evident. At this juncture his wife is familiar with those signs, and he now enjoys a good degree of support from her, as well as from other members of his extended family.
Dr. Gojer described Mr. Robins as a somewhat non-assertive, empathetic and kind person. Only at the time of index offences did he display acute positive symptoms of psychosis.
Dr. Gojer agreed with Mr. Davies’ suggestion that there was no indication of increased cannabis use prior to the commission of the index offence, adding that at that time, Mr. Robins was in fact trying to switch over to CBD. Dr. Gojer reiterated that he would prefer to see Mr. Robins completely off cannabis.
Responding to questions from the Panel, Dr. Gojer agreed that Mr. Robins had felt handicapped in the past by not being able to use cannabis. At present, he no longer believes cannabis use is necessary for him to cope day-to-day or to address anxiety in social situations. Mr. Robins now relates that he no longer needs cannabis, and his history of mood disorder has cleared. Mr. Robins does not wish to experience another episode of mental decompensation.
Closing Observations
Dr. Gojer submitted that some risk to public safety remains. However, Mr. Robins is compliant with a lower dose of the stimulant Vyvanse that at a higher dosage precipitated the psychotic incident associated with the index offences
Mr. Wright advised that he remains concerned whether Mr. Robins has a genuine or full desire to abstain from cannabis as well as an openness surrounding symptoms of his illness. Nevertheless, he accepts that Mr. Robins, because of his strong therapeutic relationship with Dr. Gojer, will continue his course of treatment in tandem with strong community supports. Therefore, Mr. Wright is satisfied that the threshold for significant threat is not met at this juncture. He added that credit is due to the rehabilitative efforts made by Mr. Robins and the ongoing family support he has received.
Mr. Davies submitted that his client has remained stable since the time of the index offences and now has excellent insight into his illness and no longer wishes to use cannabis. Mr. Robins’ spouse provides excellent support and has lived through the signs of her husband’s previous decompensation.
Analysis and Decision
(a) Significant Threat
Ongoing significant threat to the safety of the public cannot be speculative. It must entail a real risk of serious physical or psychological harm arising from conduct that is both serious and criminal in nature.
In determining whether Jeremy Robins continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public the Board has carefully analyzed the evidence as it relates to the Supreme Court of Canada decision in Winko, 1999 CanLII 694 (SCC), [1999] 2 S.C.R. 625.
In arriving at its independent determination, the Board considered the joint position of the parties, arrived at following the evidentiary portion of the hearing and accepted the uncontroverted expert evidence of Dr. Gojer which speaks to Mr. Robins’:
ongoing treatment compliance following hospitalization subsequent to the commission of the July 2021 index offences,
medications currently optimized, Lurasidone (20) daily, Vyvanse (40 mg) daily,
mental stability for the past four years,
stable domestic relationship and strong community supports,
Intention not to return to cannabis use and in the unlikely event he was to do so, this would constitute a low risk,
changed, now absent, interest in the use of firearms,
consistent attendance for psychiatric follow up appointments,
strong therapeutic relationship with his treating psychiatrist that will continue post receipt of an Absolute Discharge,
intention to remain medication compliant post receipt of an Absolute Discharge.
- Given the foregoing, this Panel of the Board unanimously finds that Jeremy Robins no longer poses a significant threat to the safety of the public and is therefore granted an absolute discharge.
DATED this 19th day of September 2025, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Mr. P. Capelle Legal Member
__________________
Office of the Registrar
Ontario Review Board