Re: Randall Just
ORB Files No: 5485
Hearing held on: Friday February 21, 2025
Place of Hearing: St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. R. Bigelow
Members: Dr. S. Simpson
Dr. M. Kalia
Mr. S. Doherty
Ms. L. Maunder
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Randall Just
Counsel: Ms. C. Whillier
The Person in Charge Counsel: Mr. S. O’Brien
Attorney-General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. C. Gzik
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated April 2, 2025)
Introduction
On November 5, 2009, Randall Just was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (NCR) on charges of possession of a firearm, possession of a firearm or weapon contrary to an order, assault with a weapon and failed to comply with probation order (x2) all contrary to the Criminal Code. He is currently subject to a disposition of the Ontario Review Board (the Board) dated February 20, 2024, ordering his discharge subject to conditions.
On February 21, 2025, the Board convened a hearing at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton to review Mr. Just’s disposition pursuant to section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code. Mr. Just was present and represented by counsel, Ms. Whillier. The issues to be determined at the hearing were whether Mr. Just continued to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public as defined in section 672.5401 of the Criminal Code and, if so, what was the necessary and appropriate disposition which was also the least onerous and least restrictive, taking into account the factors set out in section 672.54 of the Criminal Code.
Positions of the Parties
At the commencement of the hearing the parties were requested to provide their initial without prejudice positions with respect to the issues before the Board. Both counsel for the Hospital and counsel for the Attorney General submitted that Mr. Just continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and that the necessary and appropriate disposition was a continuation of the current disposition without change.
Counsel for Mr. Just did not contest the issue of significant threat and the only change in the terms of the disposition that her client would request is that the term prohibiting the possession or use of intoxicating substances be amended to allow the use of cannabis within the Canada’s Lower-Risk Cannabis Use Guidelines1(the