Ontario Review Board
Re: Christopher Wright
ORB File No: 4684
Hearing held on: Thursday, October 16, 2025
Place of Hearing: Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences
Pursuant to: Sections 672.81(1) and 672.81(2.1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. C. Flanagan
Members: Dr. K. Hand Dr. J. Cheston Ms. C. Fromstein Ms. B. Naegele
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Christopher Wright Counsel: Ms. J. Boissonneault
Person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Mr. K. Dow
Attorney-General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. N. MacDonald
REASONS FOR DECISION AND DISPOSITION
(Dated November 26, 2025)
Introduction
On January 26, 2007, Christopher Wright was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (“NCR”) on a charge of first-degree murder contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (Criminal Code).
At the time of the hearing, Mr. Wright was subject to an order detaining him at Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (“Ontario Shores” or “the Hospital”) with privileges up to and including to live to in the community in supervised accommodation approved by the person in charge.
Pursuant to section 672.56(2)(b) of the Criminal Code, the Board was notified by a letter dated September 3, 2025, from Ontario Shores regarding Mr. Wright’s restriction of liberty.
On October 16, 2025, a panel of the Board convened to review Mr. Wright’s restriction of liberty and the Disposition in accordance with the requirements of s. 672.81(2.1) and s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code.
Mr. Wright and his counsel, Ms. Boissonneault attended the hearing. A Hospital Report, dated September 30, 2025, was filed as Exhibit 1 at the hearing.
There are two issues to be determined at the hearing. First, whether the restriction of liberty imposed on Mr. Wright was necessary and appropriate, and the least onerous and least restrictive intervention in the circumstances, both initially and throughout its duration. Secondly, whether Mr. Wright continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public, as defined in section 672.5401 of the Criminal Code, and if so, the necessary and appropriate Disposition to manage that risk, having regard to the criteria set out in s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code.
Initial Position of the Parties
At the outset of the hearing, the parties were canvassed as to their recommendations to the Board.
Mr. Dow, on behalf of the Hospital, submitted that the restriction of liberty imposed on Mr. Wright on August 23, 2025, was necessary and appropriate at the time it was imposed and continued to the date of the hearing. Mr. Dow further recommended no change to the current Disposition.
Ms. MacDonald, on behalf of the Attorney General of Ontario, supported the Hospital’s position.
Ms. J. Boissonneault, on behalf of Mr. Wright, agreed the restriction of liberty was necessary and appropriate initially and continues to be so at the time of the hearing. She also agreed with the Hospital’s recommendation of no change to the current Disposition and that significant threat was not in issue.
Index Offence
- The circumstances of the index offences are set out in the Hospital Report and summarized in last year’s Reasons as follows:
Mr. Wright had been living with his parents in Kawartha Lakes when he moved to Bracebridge in early 2005. Very soon after, he drove back to Kawartha Lakes from Bracebridge and went to the home of his parents’ neighbour, the victim, a 50-year-old father of three. Mr. Wright asked for the victim and the two men spoke briefly before Mr. Wright suddenly attacked him with a 14-inch machete-type knife. The victim’s daughter saw Mr. Wright standing over her father stabbing him repeatedly. When she tried to intervene, Mr. Wright reached around her to continue stabbing him. Mr. Wright told her he was sorry “but I have to do this, your dad’s killing my family”. The victim’s son and a friend also witnessed the attack before running to the bathroom and locking the door. Before he left the home, Mr. Wright collected the victim’s 410-shotgun and told the victim’s daughter “No one’s gonna know I was here tonight”.
Personal Background/Psychiatric History
Mr. Wright’s personal background and psychiatric history are detailed in the Hospital Report, filed as an exhibit at the hearing, and need not be repeated here.
Briefly, Mr. Wright is a sixty-year-old man born in Bedford, Quebec. Mrs. Wright (mother) described the family as “very dysfunctional”. She reported that Mr. Wright had significant relationship problems with his father, whom she described as an “alcoholic”.
Mr. Wright completed Grade 12 education and immediately sought employment. He has a long history of consistent employment working for the family “slate” business, the forestry industry in British Columbia and as an “18-wheel truck driver”. In his twenties, he drank alcohol heavily and used cannabis on a regular basis. He has a history of drinking and driving, resulting in criminal convictions.
In 2004, at the age of 39, he developed paranoid delusions about having been raped and assaulted by police. He had no psychiatric admissions prior to the index offence but became progressively more paranoid. His family doctor made recommendations and referrals, but he did not follow through with them. He relocated to the Bracebridge area and planned to be the “New Duke of Muskoka”, three days” prior to the index offence.
Following his NCR finding on the index offence of first-degree murder, Mr. Wright was transferred to the Whitby Mental Health Centre (now Ontario Shores) under the jurisdiction of the ORB. His course in hospital is well documented and extensively set out in the Hospital Report.
Mr. Wright remains incapable of making decisions related to the treatment of his mental illness. The Office of the Public Guardian and Trustee (OPGT) act as his substitute decision- maker (SDM). On June 11, 2024, Mr. Wright was transitioned to Smith House, an 8-hour (low-support) supervised home within the Durham Mental Health Service (DMHS).
Current Diagnosis
- Mr. Wright’s diagnoses include Schizophrenia, Cannabis Use Disorder, in sustained remission, Alcohol Use Disorder, in sustained remission, Narcissistic Personality Disorder Traits, and Neuroleptic-Induced Tardive Dyskinesia.
Evidence at the Hearing
The Hospital’s evidence was presented through the oral testimony of Dr. D. Bhullar to supplement the Hospital Report, filed as an exhibit at the hearing.
Dr. Bhullar advised that she was Mr. Wright’s outpatient psychiatrist and he is now under her care on the medium secure forensic unit in hospital.
Mr. Wright was followed by the Forensic Outpatient Service (FOS) while living in the community in a group home. On August 14, 2025, group home staff contacted the FOS team indicating they had observed slight changes in Mr. Wright’s behaviours. He was assessed the following day and presented at his established psychiatric baseline. A urine drug screen was collected, which indicated negative results for any illicit substances.
On August 16, 2025, after speaking with his FOS clinician on the telephone, Mr. Wright was involved in a single vehicle accident near Port Perry, driving into a telephone pole. Although he did not suffer any serious injuries, he was observed by bystanders to have had a generalized seizure. He underwent an MRI and EEG at Lakeridge Health Oshawa medical unit and was medically cleared. According to Mr. Wright, he stopped his antipsychotic medication, Clozapine, on July 29, 2025, and declined to restart it. It was noted by the neurologist that, “the etiology of his suspected seizure is unclear, but may be provoked by clozapine withdrawal, which has been reported to increase the risk of seizure.”
Mr. Wright was transferred to the Forensic Psychiatric Rehabilitation Unit (FPRU) at Ontario Shores on August 23, 2025. He presented as agitated and floridly psychotic, experiencing auditory hallucinations, delusions pertaining to the index offence, and generally disorganized. Dr. Bhullar advised that it was necessary to readmit him in order to manage his risk in the community.
Dr. Bhullar advised that the hospital has notified MTO regarding Mr. Wright’s driver’s license. When asked, she elaborated that Mr. Wright’s car is in no position to be driven, he does not have a license, and he remains in hospital on a secure unit.
As an update to the Hospital Report, Dr. Bhullar described two incidents of assaultive behaviour involving Mr. Wright. On October 3, 2025, he challenged a co-patient to fight and struck him on the arm. The co-patient sought support from staff. Mr. Wright subsequently approached the co-patient and attempted to swing at him. Staff intervened. Mr. Wright was restless and pacing and again attempted to enter the same co-patient’s room and asked him to fight, however staff had locked the room. On October 4, 2025, Mr. Wright entered another co-patient’s room and attempted to assault him but missed and the co-patient struck Mr. Wright in the left eye. Mr. Wright was not responding to staff direction and placed in seclusion. Dr. Bhullar confirmed that neither patient suffered any physical injury. She advised that both co-patients were Indigenous and Mr. Wright explained that “it was the mission to go for the natives first”.
Dr. Bhullar advised that it was clear Mr. Wright was experiencing delusions during the incidents. He had no insight into the psychotic behaviour nor did he appreciate that his illness was increasing his violence towards others. In order to further manage risk, Mr. Wright was transferred to the medium secure forensic rehabilitation unit on October 8, 2025. He continued to exhibit grandiose delusions, and religious preoccupation. His substitute decision-maker (SDM) consented to a short acting psychotic medication which was administered on October 9, 2025. He spent the weekend prior to the hearing in the Quiet Room without physical aggression but remained delusional.
Dr. Bhullar advised that Mr. Wright is adamantly against restarting Clozapine. The doctor stated that the treatment team is trying to manage him with a long-acting antipsychotic injectable medication (Clopixol), which was introduced the day before the hearing. She emphasized that it is still early and unclear if this medication will adequately manage his risk.
Dr. Bhullar advised that given Mr. Wright’s history of treatment resistant schizophrenia, Clozapine was the only antipsychotic medication that managed his symptoms to a degree to safely transition him into the community. She confirmed that he had been compliant with his Clozapine medication for the past nine years and he has been living in the community on such medication without incident since 2019. On such antipsychotic medication, his long-standing fixed delusions did not impact on his day-to-day functioning. When asked, the doctor advised that the plan is to assist Mr. Wright in modifying his attitude towards Clozapine medication with a goal of getting him back on the medication in the upcoming year.
Dr. Bhullar noted that, based on a recent conversation, Mr. Wright does not seem to be motivated to take Clozapine medication. In this regard, the doctor elaborated that Mr. Wright believes he is Christ and his soul will leave the earth on Christmas Eve. She stated that he is no longer motivated to move to a general forensic unit or return to the community at this time. The doctor acknowledged, however, that keeping the community living clause in the Disposition could serve a therapeutic purpose should he again be stabilized.
Dr. Bhullar confirmed that Mr. Wright has limited insight into his index offence and illness. She advised that he remains a significant threat to the safety of the public. She stated that the hospital is recommending no change to the Disposition because the Hospital required a Detention Disposition to manage the risk.
When asked about a transition to a general unit, Dr. Bhullar advised that Mr. Wright would need to remain quite stable with no physical or verbal violence and utilizing his privileges appropriately. She advised that until that time, ongoing detention on the medium secure unit is necessary and appropriate.
No further evidence was presented at the hearing.
Final Submissions of the Parties
In final submissions, the parties were asked about the addition of a driving prohibition clause in the Disposition.
Mr. Dow, on behalf of the Hospital, maintained his initial position and relied on the joint submission of the parties. He left any driving prohibition up to the Board’s discretion.
Ms. MacDonald, on behalf of the Attorney General of Ontario, maintained her initial position. She submitted that Mr. Wright has very limited insight into his major mental illness and the index offence. She submitted that there is no longer the stabilizing factor of clozapine that allows Mr. Wright to live in the community. Ms. MacDonald submitted that the Hospital was justified in readmitting Mr. Wright at the time and that his placement on a secure unit continues to be appropriate and necessary at the time of the hearing. She commented that Mr. Wright has recently been involved in assaultive behaviour while on that unit. Ms. MacDonald submitted that the cause of the motor vehicle accident is unknown. Mr. Wright remains in hospital in a secure unit, does not have a license, has no access to a vehicle, and the Ministry of Transportation has been notified. She did not request a prohibition of driving clause and left it up to the Board.
Ms. Boissonneault, on behalf of Mr. Wright, submitted that Mr. Wright has been compliant for eight years on Clozapine with six years living peacefully in the community. His medication is not yet at a therapeutic level, and it is early days. The circumstances around the accident are unknown, Mr. Wright does not have a license, follows rules, and is on a secure unit. In this regard, she submitted there was no risk of him driving and did not support a driving prohibition clause in the Disposition.
Conclusion and Disposition
- Having considered all the evidence presented at the hearing, this Board finds that the restriction of liberty imposed on Mr. Wright was both necessary and appropriate from its initial date on August 23, 2025, through its continuation at the time of the hearing. Further, Mr. Wright continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public as set out in s. 672.5401 of the Criminal Code. We make these findings based on the evidence of Dr. Bhullar and the evidence contained in the Hospital Report filed as an exhibit at the hearing, notwithstanding the joint position on significant threat and restriction of liberty by the parties.
(a) Restriction of Liberty
Mr. Wright went off his Clozapine antipsychotic medication in late July 2025. On August 14, 2025, staff at the group home where he was living reported changes in his behaviour. Two days later, he was involved in a single motor vehicle collision striking a telephone pole. On his readmission to Ontario Shores, Mr. Wright was psychotic, experiencing auditory hallucinations, delusions and generally disorganized. Given his exacerbation of psychotic symptoms, and his ongoing refusal to restart his necessary Clozapine medication, it was both necessary and appropriate to readmit him to Ontario Shores to properly manage his risk to the community.
On refusing to restart his Clozapine medication, Mr. Wright remained off his baseline and continued to experience delusional symptoms. In this state, in early October, he initiated aggressive physical acts towards two other co-patients requiring the treatment team to have him placed in seclusion and subsequently moved to the Quiet Room on the unit, away from co-patients. Only very recently (the day before the hearing) was Mr. Wright started on a long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication to try to bring him back to his baseline. Whether this medication will be successful in stabilizing Mr. Wright is yet to be determined, and a longer period of hospitalization is expected. Consequently, this Board finds on the evidence that Mr. Wright’s readmission to hospital on August 23, 2025, and continuing at the time of the hearing is both necessary and appropriate.
(b) Necessary and Appropriate Disposition
This Board also finds on the evidence that Mr. Wright continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public. His mental state remains not at baseline, and he continues to experience ongoing delusions (more pronounced than when on his Clozapine medication), which have resulted in recent unprovoked assaultive behaviour towards other patients. His ongoing refusal to accept Clozapine medication, for his treatment-resistant schizophrenia, which has served him well over the last nine years, will be challenging for the treatment team. Although very recently, a long-acting antipsychotic medication has been introduced to his medication regimen, it is too early to determine if this pharmacological treatment can return Mr. Wright to baseline and allow him to return to community living. Should this not be the case, this Board is hopeful that with improved insight, Mr. Wright will again see the benefits of his Clozapine medication which has allowed him to live in the community for many years.
This Board considered the addition of a driving prohibition clause to his Disposition. Given that the cause of the motor vehicle accident is unknown, and that Mr. Wright remains in hospital with no access to a vehicle or any driver’s license, and further that the matter has been reported to the Ministry of Transportation, we decline to add such a clause to his Disposition.
Consequently, this Board finds that the most appropriate and necessary Disposition is the continuation of Mr. Wright’s existing Disposition on the same terms and conditions.
In reaching our decision, the Board has considered the safety of the public, Mr. Wright’s mental condition, his reintegration into society, and his other needs.
DATED this 26^th^ day of November 2025 at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Mr. C. Flanagan Alternate Chairperson
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Office of the Registrar Ontario Review Board