Ontario Review Board
Re: Mohamed Y. Farah
ORB File No: 6299/6735
Hearing held on: Thursday, October 23, 2025
Place of Hearing: Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. P. Capelle
Members: Dr. G. Boulais
Dr. S. Lessard
Mr. P. Hageraats
Mr. R. Rainboth
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Mohamed Y. Farah
Counsel: Ms. N. Bedar
Person in charge of hospital: Representative: Dr. J. Gojer
Attorney-General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. M. Dufort
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated December 9, 2025)
Introduction
Mr. Mohamed Yassin Farah appeared in Court on two sets of charges under the Criminal Code of Canada: assault (x3) and mischief and assault causing bodily harm. Expert psychiatric evidence was provided at both proceedings, establishing that Mr. Farah was suffering from a serious mental disorder when he committed the offences.
Based on that evidence, in separate court rulings dated February 27, 2013, and October 29, 2014, Mr. Farah was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (“NCR”).
Mr. Farah is currently subject to a disposition of the Ontario Review Board (“ORB” or “the Board”) dated September 17, 2024, ordering that he be detained at the Royal Ottawa Mental Health Centre (“ROMHC” or “the hospital”)
The disposition provided Mr. Farah with privileges to access the community, including to travel within Canada for the purpose of visiting family when accompanied by staff or an approved person.
A privilege to live in the community in 24-hour supervised accommodation, if first approved by the hospital, was also granted.
On October 23, 2025, the Board convened at the ROMHC to conduct an annual review. Mr. Farah attended in person. He was represented by counsel, Ms. Nemee Bedar. Also present were two hospital staff members, the primary nurse, Walet Buru and a hospital orderly, Dare Abdullahi.
Mr. Farah is not capable to consent to treatment. His sister, Intisar Farah, remains his substitute decision-maker (“SDM”). Ms. Farah attended the hearing.
A hospital report, dated October 1, 2025, was filed in evidence. The Board also received direct testimony from the attending forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Julian Gojer.
The issues for this hearing are whether Mr. Farah represents a significant threat to the safety of the public, and, if so, to determine the disposition that is necessary and appropriate in the circumstances.
Positions of the Parties
The Board received a joint submission from all three parties who confirmed that the issue of significant threat was not in dispute. The parties further agreed it would be appropriate for the Board to have Mr. Farah continue under the same terms as appear in the current detention order.
For the reasons set out below, the Board adopted the joint submission.
Current Psychiatric Diagnoses, Hospital Report, pages 94-95
Schizophrenia (treatment resistant)
Neurocognitive Disorder – Secondary to a vascular disorder, with behavioural disturbance (Moderate)
Focal Seizure Disorder (per neurology)
- Mr. Farah is being treated with psychiatric medications, including:
Mood Stabilizer Anti-Seizure medicine – Lamotrigine
Lorazepam, when needed
Antipsychotic – Methotrimeprazine (Nozinan)
Olanzapine
Index Offences
- The circumstances are set out in the hospital report and in last year’s Reasons for Disposition, dated November 1, 2024:
On July 5, 2012, at approximately 1:50 hours, Mr. Farah was a patient at the Royal Ottawa Place at 1141 Carling Avenue, Ottawa, Ontario. When offered his medication by one of the nurses, K. K., he attacked by grabbing her and striking her in the head.
Another nurse, C.F., who assisted the victim, was also struck in the face and body. Mr. Farah proceeded to bang C.F.’s head against the wall several times causing her to fall to the ground. When on the ground, C.F. was kicked to the head and torso.
Mr. Farah injured another nurse, G.F., who came to help the two nurses.
Mr. Farah went on to damage a hospital door by striking it with his fist, smashing the glass.
On November 13, 2013, a female staff member victim at the Royal Ottawa Hospital was supervising patients in the dining room. At 17:15, she became apprehensive of Mr. Farah who seemed to be focusing on her. She asked a male orderly, G.B. to stay close by.
Mr. Farah ran toward the victim, screaming ‘Aaaahh’ at the top of his lungs. He struck her on the back of the head, with what she believed was a closed fist. He also struck her left arm. G.B. and another male orderly intervened to restrain Mr. Farah.
Later that same evening, the victim attended the Carleton Place Memorial Hospital. She was diagnosed with a traumatic minor brain injury. Mr. Farah was charged with assault causing bodily harm.
Background & Psychiatric History
Mr. Farah is 37. He has struggled with a major mental illness since 2007. He became suicidal and experienced homicidal ideation directed toward his mother. There have been repeated hospitalizations over the years following mental health deteriorations and violent acts against others - including psychiatric hospital staff members.
Mr. Farah has suffered serious neurological incidents. In 2014, while a patient at the Brockville Mental Health Centre, he required transfer to the Kingston General Hospital intensive care unit following a cerebral-vascular hemorrhage (stroke). On September 1, 2014, when he was on the neurology ward in Kingston, he had an unprovoked episode of aggressive behavior toward a staff member.
During his earlier years, Mr. Farah was able to function well. His pre-morbid condition saw him do well in high school and university as shown by tests measuring general knowledge and verbal fluency. However, over several more recent years, his intellectual functioning became extremely impaired.
Impairments were found in all cognitive domains, including attention, working memory, executive functions, short and long term visual and verbal memory, receptive language, fine motor abilities, and motor coordination. His insight is described as extremely poor. He will tend to perseverate and confabulate.
Neurological assessments have been done over the years, trying to establish whether Mr. Farah suffers from an underlying epileptic condition. Following a neurological consultation with Dr. Rabinovich, an opinion was provided that Mr. Farah’s symptoms were within the realm of Schizophrenia.
In 2013, while in hospital, Mr. Farah continued to experience periodic bizarre behavior and report auditory and visual hallucinations.
The hospital report documents numerous previous incidents where Mr. Farah has run and screamed toward the nursing station and banged on the glass. On various other occasions, and apart from the index offences, he has struck out at hospital staff. He has also attacked a co-patient. While Mr. Farah has made more recent progress, historically, he has been unpredictably aggressive.
Mr. Farah’s deficits are too severe and extensive to be solely explained by a diagnosis of Schizophrenia. The hospital report notes that individuals with Schizophrenia typically present deficits in verbal memory, executive functioning, attention and working memory. However, the symptoms seen in Mr. Farah’s case - severe motor deficits, anomic aphasia, anosognosia, confabulation, disorientation to time, visuoperceptual and visuoconstructive impairments - are not typically observed in individuals with Schizophrenia. Moreover, Mr. Farah’s current profile shows significantly more severe memory deficits than are commonly observed in patients suffering from Schizophrenia.
At last year’s Review Board hearing held on August 22, 2024, it was noted that Mr. Farah’s medications had been substantially reduced. This allowed him to remain more alert during the day and to engage in activities. No psychotic symptoms were seen. His aggression did not continue. Mr. Farah was participating in activities and relating well to staff and patients. The relationship with his sister, the SDM, was reportedly excellent. Visits on passes to the outside community went well.
A year ago, Mr. Farah was said to be developing insight into his illness, in that he recognized how medication was helping him deal with his Schizophrenia and aggression. He remained compliant with treatment. The overall improvement was dramatic. That said, the treatment team was aware that Mr. Farah had come, only a year-and-a-half earlier, from a more secure forensic setting at the Waypoint Mental Health Centre.
At last year’s ORB hearing, the treating psychiatrist noted that Mr. Farah had a long way to go in terms of medication adjustments. Improvements in his self-care and hygiene were also needed. Mr. Farah was described as still fragile and sensitive to change. His movement forward within the ORB system needed to be gradual and measured. The treatment plan saw the hospital recommend a gradual transition into the community to a 24-hour supervised residence, but only after a first period of testing Mr. Farah’s use of privileges on hospital grounds and elsewhere in the community.
Recent Course in Treatment, August 2024 to October 2025
Mr. Farah has continued to experience moderately intense auditory hallucinations throughout the year. He appears to be aware and to understand the basic aspects of his diagnoses. On several occasions, he has needed reassurance.
In January 2025, Mr. Farah was physically assaulted by another patient on the unit. That patient has been transferred away. Mr. Farah later decided to press charges. He did so with the assistance of the hospital’s social worker. Despite the potential trauma of having been assaulted, Mr. Farah did not report any heightened anxiety or post-trauma symptoms.
In early 2025, Mr. Farah was hospitalized following concerns of seizure-like activity. He reported he had suffered a fall. While in the emergency room, he was diagnosed with post-concussive syndrome. On April 25, 2025, following a second fall, neurology was consulted. When assessed on May 16, his symptoms were felt to be in keeping with post-concussive syndrome, although the symptoms were more pronounced, due to his vulnerable brain and focal seizure disorder.
By June 30, 2025, following a recommended reduction in Clobazam medication, there were some improvements. Mr. Farah became less dizzy and forgetful. He appeared to demonstrate less of an intense gaze. His thought process seemed more organized. With continued improvement of symptoms, it was felt that Mr. Farah had returned close to his previous baseline. He continued to work with occupational therapy to try to improve his mobility and functional ability.
Since July 2025, Mr. Farah has made progress, accessing higher privilege levels to go out into the community. He is granted escorted passes off hospital premises with two staff members, along with periodic passes to his sister’s home. No behavioral problems were reported.
However, concerns are reported in terms of his ability to safely navigate roadways. Mr. Farah often becomes overstimulated, to the point that he will suddenly ask for help to return to the hospital. When entering a fast-food restaurant, he can become physically and mentally exhausted. When using passes to the hospital grounds, he tends to go out for only very short periods.
Mr. Farah is pleasant to talk to. He shows a good emotional connection to hospital staff. He has a few friends on the unit and otherwise spends his time taking naps, watching tv, and engaging in unit-based activities.
The current treatment plan will see the team help Mr. Farah work toward developing his mobility skills and in caring for himself. Attempts are being made to find a placement in a specialized group home, preferably one catering to patients with brain injuries.
Evidence at the Hearing
The Board also received testimony from Dr. Julian Gojer, forensic psychiatrist at the ROMHC. Dr. Gojer is the Acting Clinical Director of the hospital’s Integrated Forensic Program. He authored the hospital report.
Dr. Gojer confirmed that Mr. Farah’s sister, Intisar, is his only approved person for accessing the community, apart from hospital staff. She is very knowledgeable of her brother’s condition and has been collaborating well with the treatment team.
Mr. Farah can go out into the community for up to five hours with his sister. When she comes to the hospital, she will take him shopping or to her home. There has never been any issue on these outings. When Mr. Farah returns, he remains in a healthy state. Apart from one incident in the previous reporting year, when, in an affectionate moment, Mr. Farah bear hugged an elderly female patient with too much force, there have been no concerning incidents.
Dr. Gojer testified that Mr. Farah’s condition requires a detention order. The diagnosis is complex. It includes paranoid behaviour, seen over many years. Mr. Farah still has ongoing suspiciousness about hospital staff and patients and is still hearing voices. Any slight change in his environment will cause him distress. His potential for future violence remains high if he does not remain within a special structured environment. The hospital needs to proceed very slowly and to see him make further progress with activities of daily living and managing his reactions to situations. If Mr. Farah were to lose his present placement, his support system would crumble very quickly.
Dr. Gojer testified there is only a limited number of appropriate group homes in the community. Wait times are quite long. Dr. Gojer noted how the hospital staff have done a very good job helping to stabilize Mr. Farah, both physically and psychiatrically.
Responding to questions from Board members, Dr. Gojer explained that the patient’s hallucinations are both visual and auditory. These could be the result of a head injury or can be attributed to his Schizophrenia.
Mr. Farah is now on long-acting injectable medication. When he arrived at the ROMHC from Waypoint, he was on Morphine and Olanzapine and had no quality of life. Dr. Gojer was able to get Mr. Farah off both medications after six months. Dr. Gojer described Mr. Farah’s psychosis as static while his health is progressing in every other area.
Dr. Gojer advised that the patient’s hallucinations have paranoid aspects. It takes a lot of effort on Mr. Farah’s part to not react - which speaks well of him even while he will attribute the voices he is hearing to his belief that they are being expressed by co-patients.
The parties presented no further evidence.
Current Violence Risk Assessment
- Dr. Gojer made recent use of the HCR-20 v3, structured clinical judgement instrument. Based on the various factors, including historical, clinical (present or recent) and risk management items, he is of the opinion that Mr. Farah continues to present a moderate to high risk of future violence, specifically assault.
Submissions of the Parties
- As noted, the Board received a joint submission from all three parties, namely that the current detention order should remain in effect, without change.
Conclusions and Disposition
Based on the evidence, and supported by the appropriate joint submission, the Board unanimously finds that Mr. Mohamed Farah continues to present a significant threat to the safety of the public.
With a long-documented history of severe mental illness, involving a complex diagnosis, Mr. Farah has engaged in acts of serious violence to members of the public, causing others, including hospital staff members, significant physical and psychological harm. His condition is such that he needs to remain in a controlled structured environment for the purpose of managing his behaviors and his mental condition.
It is encouraging to see that Mr. Farah has made considerable progress over the last two reporting periods. For this, we commend him.
At the same time, as Dr. Gojer has explained, Mr. Farah’s condition remains fragile. He will continue to need long-term treatment with psychiatric medication. Mr. Farah will also benefit from - and hopefully make further progress with - ongoing occupational services which are being provided to enhance his mobility and physical self-care.
We listened carefully to the evidence regarding Mr. Farah’s need to proceed slowly within the current hospital setting. We accept Dr. Gojer’s opinion that Mr. Farah’s stability and progress is best served in his present familiar structured environment. No doubt, the hospital will continue their efforts to have Mr. Farah transition to a suitable supervised group home, but only if the new placement is properly equipped to deal with the patient’s complex diagnosis and set of risk factors.
For these reasons, having regard to the primary consideration of keeping the public and Mr. Farah safe, and balancing this with the patient’s mental condition, his reintegration and other needs, a renewed detention order will issue, on the same terms and conditions.
We thank Dr. Gojer, the team members and both counsel, for their valued assistance.
DATED this 9th day of December 2025, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Mr. P. Hageraats Legal Member
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Office of the Registrar
Ontario Review Board