Re: Catherine J. Jackson
ORB File No: 5460
Hearing held on: Monday, April 28, 2025
Place of hearing: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health 1001 Queen Street West, Toronto
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before: Alternate Chairperson: Ms. C. Finley Members: Dr. P.E. Cook Dr. H. Moulden Mr. B. Garrow Mr. S. Duffy
Parties Appearing: Accused: Catherine J. Jackson Counsel: Mr. M. Schloss
The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Ms. S. Rosales-Zelaya
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. R. Weinberg
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated June 6, 2025)
Introduction
On October 1, 2009, Catherine Jackson was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (NCR) on charges of assault (x3), robbery, failing to comply with probation and failing to comply with a recognizance, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. She is currently subject to a disposition of the Ontario Review Board (the ORB/the Board), dated June 4, 2024, detaining her at the Forensic Service of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto (CAMH/ the hospital) with discretionary privileges including the ability to reside in the community in accommodation approved by the person in charge.
On April 28, 2025, the Board convened to conduct the annual hearing of Ms. Jackson’s disposition pursuant to s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code. Ms. Jackson did not attend the proceedings. Her counsel, Mr. Schloss, indicated that he had instructions to proceed in her absence. His request for Ms. Jackson to be excused from the proceedings pursuant to s. 672.5(10) was granted.
At the outset of the proceedings, all parties were canvassed as to their positions on the two issues to be determined by the Board: whether Ms. Jackson continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public, and if so, the necessary and appropriate disposition having regard to the criteria set out in s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code.
Ms. Rosales-Zelaya, on behalf of the hospital, submitted that Ms. Jackson continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and the necessary and appropriate disposition is a continuation of the current detention order with a reduction in reporting to not less than once every two weeks.
Ms. Weinberg, on behalf of the Ministry of the Attorney General, and Mr. Schloss both concurred in the hospital’s positions. Thus, a joint recommendation was before the Board.
Findings
- For the reasons that follow, the Board finds that Ms. Jackson continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and the necessary and appropriate disposition is a continuation of the current detention order with the proposed reduction in reporting.
The Evidence
- The evidence at the hearing consisted of the Hospital Report, dated April 2, 2025 (ex. 1), and the viva voce evidence of Dr. O’Sullivan, Ms. Jackson’s treating psychiatrist.
The Index Offences
- The circumstances of the index offences are taken from the Hospital Report (excerpted from the ORB Reasons for Disposition, dated January 15, 2010), as follows:
“With respect to allegations of robbery, the victim in the matter was age 19 years. At that time, the accused was 32. They were not known to one another. On Sunday,