Attorney General of Ontario v. Stevenson, 2025 CanLII 135646

Ontario Review Board

Re: Jennifer L. Stevenson

ORB File No: 8107

Hearing held on: Wednesday, November 26, 2025

Place of hearing: Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences 700 Gordon Street, Whitby

Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code

Before: Alternate Chairperson: Mr. G. Beasley Members: Dr. S. Chatterjee Dr. M. Kalia Mr. R. Bigelow Ms. B. Little

Parties Appearing:

Accused: Jennifer L. Stevenson Counsel: Ms. M. Addie

The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Ms. A. Marshall

Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. N. MacDonald

REASONS FOR DISPOSITION

(Dated December 30, 2025)

Introduction

1. On July 11, 2022, the accused Jennifer Stevenson, was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder on a charge of uttering a threat to cause death or bodily harm, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. By reason of a Disposition of the Ontario Review Board (“ORB”) dated November 18, 2024, Ms. Stevenson was ordered to be detained within the General Forensic Unit of the Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (“Ontario Shores”), with privileges up to and including residing in the community in accommodation approved by the person in charge.

2. On November 26, 2025, the ORB convened a hearing at Ontario Shores for the purpose of the annual review of Ms. Stevenson’s Disposition pursuant to s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code. Ms. Stevenson was in attendance and represented by counsel, Ms. Addie. Ms. Marshall appeared as counsel for the hospital and Ms. MacDonald as counsel for the Attorney General of Ontario.

Index Offence

3. The circumstances of the index offence as taken from the Hospital Report are as follows:

“According to the police synopsis, on February 7, 2022, PC Fluke was advised by a civilian employee that voicemail messages were left on the OPP detachment voice machine on February 5, 2022. The message was left by Ms. Stevenson for PC Milne, stating: “This message is for K Milne, fucking ditch bitch, hope someone slashes your fucking throat, or hope the Hells Angels get a hold of your fucking ass you little bitch in fucking heat.” PC Fluke listened to the message and recognized the voice as Ms. Stevenson’s from previous occurrences.”

Current Diagnoses

4. The current diagnoses are taken from the Hospital Report as follows:

Dependent Traits

Delusional Disorder

Criminal Record

5. On February 4, 2022, Ms. Stevenson was found guilty of one count of uttering threat and two counts of failing to comply with a release order. Disposition was time served and two years’ probation.

Personal History

6. Ms. Stevenson’s personal history is reviewed in the Hospital Report which was filed as an exhibit at the hearing. By way of summary, at the time of the hearing Ms. Stevenson was a 57-year-old single woman. She was born prematurely in Campbellford, Ontario and remained in hospital for three months after birth. As a baby, she developed a near fatal pneumonia which required a readmission to hospital. Ms. Stevenson was raised in Havelock, Ontario and had one brother and three sisters. One of her sisters had unspecified mental health problems. Ms. Stevenson has had long term vision problems since birth. These affected her education and she is two credits short of a grade 12 diploma. Ms. Stevenson had a brief relationship when she was 19 years old which resulted in the birth of her son. She has worked in the past with intellectually impaired individuals, work which she reportedly enjoyed.

7. Starting in 2014, Ms. Stevenson had ten psychiatric admissions or visits to hospitals. Her first admission to Peterborough Regional Health Centre was from February 2 to March 13, 2014. She was admitted for a Ritalin overdose. Her diagnoses were major depressive disorder, panic disorder with agoraphobia, a history of benzodiazepine and opioid dependence, a possible cognitive disorder, and borderline personality disorder with passive-aggressive traits. The final admission noted in the Hospital Report (pre-index offences) was on November 12, 2020, when she was admitted on a Form 1 of the Mental Health Act (MHA) due to making comments about getting a gun and shooting people. Her primary diagnosis was borderline personality disorder. Ms. Stevenson is incapable to consent to treatment. The Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) is acting as her substitute decision maker. Ms. Stevenson is financially supported by ODSP.

Position of the Parties

8. At the outset of the hearing, Ms. Marshall submitted that Ms. Stevenson continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public but that she could be safely managed in the community under the terms of a Conditional Discharge with a residence condition and a consent to treatment clause. Both Ms. MacDonald and Ms. Addie supported the recommendation of the hospital.

Evidence

9. The evidence on behalf of the hospital was presented by Dr. Pallandi. He is Ms. Stevenson’s attending psychiatrist and the co-author of the Hospital Report which was filed as an exhibit. Dr. Pallandi stated that he became Ms. Stevenson’s attending psychiatrist on April 6, 2025, when she was discharged to reside in the community. He testified that Ms. Stevenson is currently residing at supportive housing at Hilltop Manor in Keswick, Ontario. Dr. Pallandi stated that this residence provides Ms. Stevenson with meals and assistance in her medication. Ms. Stevenson has an individual room at the Manor. There are approximately 40 people residing at Hilltop Manor. Dr. Pallandi stated that this particular residence is extremely well suited to Ms. Stevenson’s needs. She has handled the transition very well. When asked about Ms. Stevenson’s level of insight, Dr. Pallandi stated that Ms. Stevenson does suffer from a delusional disorder which renders her insight tenuous, not an uncommon result for individuals with this diagnosis. However, in Dr. Pallandi’s words, Ms. Stevenson is “unfailingly cooperative.” She is fully compliant with her medication, does not have any side effects and has not expressed any interest in stopping. Her day-to-day function and her relationships with others are not affected by her illness. Dr. Pallandi stated that Ms. Stevenson is “very content.”

10. Ms. MacDonald did not have any questions for Dr. Pallandi.

11. In response to questions from Ms. Addie, Dr. Pallandi confirmed that Ms. Stevenson enjoys a good relationship with her mother She speaks to her frequently on the phone and there have been some visits but not as many as Ms. Stevenson would like. This is a result of the location of the home. Dr. Pallandi also agreed that Ms. Stevenson has made some positive steps with respect to her health and as an example, is less dependent on her walker than before. Dr. Pallandi agreed with Ms. Addie that Ms. Stevenson seems happy and despite not having insight into her disorder, is content to continue with her treatment and take the prescribed medication.

12. In response to questions from the Board, Dr. Pallandi stated that in the opinion of the treatment team Ms. Stevenson’s risk to the public can be safely managed under the terms of a Conditional Discharge. Dr. Pallandi stated that while Ms. Stevenson is not capable to consent, she is agreeable to consenting to her medications. Dr. Pallandi agreed that it would be appropriate to add to Ms. Stevenson’s list of medical conditions that she is legally blind. Dr. Pallandi stated that that the team will not be pursuing cognitive testing for Ms. Stevenson due to logistical difficulties and a decision that it would not materially affect the treatment plan at the present time. Dr. Pallandi stated that he disagreed with one of the conclusions set out in the Summary and Risk Management Plan in that in his opinion, Ms. Stevenson’s risk remains in the low range under the terms of a Conditional Discharge. Dr. Pallandi did agree that there is really no risk of serious physical harm and the risk that does exist is for psychological harm in the same form as the index offence. Finally, Dr. Pallandi stated that if the status quo is maintained for the upcoming reporting year, that the hospital would likely be in position to recommend an Absolute Discharge next year.

13. Neither Ms. MacDonald nor Ms. Addie called evidence at the hearing.

Submissions

14. All counsel reiterated the submission made to the outset of the hearing that the necessary and appropriate disposition is a Conditional Discharge.

Analysis and Disposition

15. Both at the outset and conclusion of the hearing, the Board was presented with a joint submission by the parties with respect to significant threat. The Critical Risk Assessment found on page 20 of the Hospital Report is succinct and reads as follows:

“Ms. Stevenson's risk emanates from her relatively recent transition into the community coupled with her limited insight into her need for treatment, in perpetuity.

It is acknowledged that the risk that she poses is largely if not entirely one of a psychological nature. The risk that she would theoretically pose to anybody of a physical nature is extremely low and certainly insignificant.”

16. As set out in Dr. Pallandi’s evidence at the hearing, notwithstanding Ms. Stevenson’s full and total cooperation with the treatment team, she continues to have limited insight into her delusional disorder. Her risk to the safety of the public is with respect to possible psychological harm as opposed to any real risk of physical harm. In Dr. Pallandi’s opinion, while the level of risk meets the threshold as set out in s. 672.5401 of the Criminal Code, it remains low under the terms of the proposed Conditional Discharge. The Board is unanimous in accepting the unchallenged evidence of Dr. Pallandi and the joint submission of the parties.

DATED this 30^th^ day of December 2025, at the City of Toronto, in the Region of Toronto.

Mr. G. Beasley Alternate Chairperson

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Office of the Registrar Ontario Review Board