Ontario Review Board
Re: Steven Slater
ORB File No: 7737
Hearing held on: Monday June 9, 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: Ms. L. Maunder Dr. P. Darby Dr. G. Stones Mr. A. Mete
Parties Appearing: Accused: Stephen Slater Counsel: Mr. G. Read
The Person in Charge of Hospital: Counsel: Mr. S. O’Brien
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. J. McKenzie
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated July 23, 2025)
Introduction
[1]. On June 5, 2020, Stephen Slater was found not criminally responsible (NCR) on charges of mischief under $5000 and arson (reckless disregard for human life) contrary to the Criminal Code. He is currently subject to a disposition of the Ontario Review Board (the Board) dated June 17, 2024, ordering his discharge subject to conditions.
[2]. On Monday, June 9, 2025, the Board convened a hearing at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (the Hospital) to review Mr. Slater`s disposition pursuant to section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code. Mr. Slater was present and represented by counsel, Mr. Read. The issues to be determined at the hearing were whether Mr. Slater continued to constitute 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 that was also the least onerous and least restrictive taking into account the factors set out in 672.54 of the Criminal Code.
Initial Positions of the Parties
[3]. 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. Counsel for the Hospital indicated that it was the Hospital’s position that Mr. Slater continued to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and that the necessary and appropriate disposition was a continuation of the current discharge on conditions with the only change being the removal of condition 1(c) requiring abstention from the nonmedical use of alcohol, drugs or any other intoxicant.
[4]. Counsel for the Attorney General advised that she would be supporting the position of the hospital but that she some questions she wished to ask with respect to the rationale for the removal of the abstention provision. Counsel for Mr. Slater also supported the Hospital recommendation.
Evidence at the Hearing
[5]. The evidence at the hearing consisted of the Hospital Report dated May 22, 2025 (including as an appendix a report from Mr. Slater’s Primary Community Mental Health Worker), and the oral evidence of Dr. O. Lee, a sixth-year psychiatric resident working under the supervision of Dr. Kolawole, Mr. Slater’s treating psychiatrist, who was also present at the hearing.
Findings:
[6]. For the Reasons that follow, the Board finds that Mr. Slater continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and that the necessary and appropriate disposition is a continuation of the current conditional discharge with the same terms as the current order save and except for the removal of condition 1(c).
Index Offences:
[7]. The circumstances surrounding the index offence of mischief, as summarized in the Hospital Report, are as follows:
On July 16th, 2018 at 8:44 am Police were dispatched to 47 Princess Street in the City of Hamilton for a Break and Enter report.
The above property is owned by RH, however, she was not home during this incident. Her brother R(S)H was home and made the Police report.
RH advised police that at approximately 7:40 am he was asleep upstairs when he was awoken by loud banging and heard a male voice within the residence.
RH went downstairs to find one of his neighbours, the accused, Steven Slater inside his house.
Slater was mumbling, appeared to be under the influence of drugs and advised RH that he heard screaming coming from inside the residence. Slater decided to kick in the door and enter the residence to ensure everyone was safe.
Police observed the front door to have one of the large wood pieces missing from the bottom right, making the door insecure.
[8]. The circumstances surrounding the index offence of arson, as summarized in the Hospital Report, are as follows:
On Thursday, January 10th/19 at 5:30pm a 911 call was placed to the Hamilton Police Service and Hamilton Fire Service about a fire at #241 Gibson Ave. Hamilton. #241 Gibson Ave. is a 3 level apartment building with 2 units located on each floor and is located at the corner of Gibson Ave. & Princess St.
Upon police and fire arrival, the 3rd floor apartment facing the Northeast corner of the building was fully engulfed with flames exiting the windows and spreading the roof of the building. It was determined that the fire was contained to unit #5 which is currently rented to Steven SLATER / 84-06-12. Hamilton Police began evacuating the tenants of the building while the Hamilton Fire Service entered the apartment and knocked the fire down and found the apartment vacant. Hamilton Fire Service quickly determined the fire was suspicious in nature and advised the Hamilton Police who secured the scene and contacted the Ontario Fire Marshalls Office.
Witnesses came forward and advised they observed SLATER just moments before the fire out on his balcony with a rope tied around his neck trying to hang himself. SLATER was then seen going back into his apt. #5 after the rope broke and his suicide attempt failed. Witnesses then heard SLATER screaming, yelling and braking [sic] things inside his apartment between 5:15-5:20 just before the fire occurred.
Steven SLATER returned the scene of the fire shortly after and was apprehended under the MHA by police and transported to St. Joseph’s Hospital where he was subsequently seen by a doctor and not deemed a danger to himself or others and was release. SLATER was then arrested for ‘Arson Endangering Life’ and transported to Hamilton Police Central station where he was interviewed and released as no grounds to charge him at the time were established.
The Ontario Fire Marshal’s office assigned and investigator who attended the scene and determined the fire to be an incendiary fire to the mattress inside the apartment. The fire was determined to be an Arson and SLATER was subsequently arrested and charged with ‘Arson Disregard for Human Life’ and his bail was opposed.”
Background Information Regarding the Accused:
[9]. Mr. Slater is currently 41 years of age and single with no dependents. He was raised primarily by his mother until her death when he was 12 years old. He reports that his parents’ relationship was “on and off” and that his father was physically and emotionally abusive towards both him and his mother. After his mother’s death he was taken into the care of the Children’s Aid Society and became a Crown Ward. After a few short-term placements he was placed in a foster home where he resided from the age of 13 to 18. Three other children resided in the home, and he continues to have a close relationship with one of them.
[10]. As a child Mr. Slater frequently acted out in an impulsive manner and was diagnosed with ADHD when he was seven years old. He was started on Ritalin and continued to take it until he was 15 years old.
[11]. Mr. Slater attended a number of different elementary schools and reports that he got into fights with his peers and was placed in a “behavioural class.” He was suspended and expelled on numerous occasions and finally dropped out of school in grade 10.
[12]. After leaving school Mr. Slater worked in general labour positions including roofing, landscaping and factory work. His employment was frequently terminated due to conflicts with coworkers.
Substance Use History
[13]. Mr. Slater reports that after his mother died, he began using substances on a regular basis including ecstasy, cocaine, and crack as well as psychedelics. He continued to use cocaine, crystal methamphetamine, marijuana and alcohol until a few months prior to the index offences.
Legal History:
[14]. Mr. Slater has no criminal record.
Psychiatric History
[15]. Mr. Slater reports that in June 2018 he began hearing voices after a local drug dealer implanted a device in his head that transmits the voices to him. In late 2018 he began presenting to emergency departments with complaints of auditory hallucinations and paranoid ideation. In October 2019 he was assessed by a psychiatrist whose impression was that Mr. Slater’s symptoms met the criteria for schizophrenia, however substance-induced psychosis needed to be ruled out.
Current Diagnosis
[16]. Mr. Slater’s current diagnoses are Schizophrenia, Cocaine Use disorder, in remission in a controlled setting and Stimulant Use disorder, in remission in a controlled setting.
Evidence of Dr. Lee
[17]. Dr. Lee had been involved in Mr. Slater’s care since mid March of this year. She had read and adopted the contents of the Hospital Report.
[18]. Dr. Lee stated that Mr. Slater had a stable year despite experiencing a number of stressors including moving to an independent apartment, maintenance issues including a pest infestation at the apartment and physical health issues all of which he was able to manage with the assistance of the treatment team. Also, he was the subject of a case of mistaken identity where he was approached and handcuffed by police who believed him to be another individual they were seeking to arrest. He was cooperative with the police and did not resist and advised the team that he felt proud of being able to remain calm throughout the situation.
[19]. Dr. Lee noted that Mr. Slater had been taking medication independently since August 2024 without issue and that his last positive drug screen had been five years ago. Dr. Lee also noted that Mr. Slater had only moved into his independent apartment in April, a few months prior to the hearing, and that he had little support outside of the forensic system. The treatment team believed that he still required oversight and wished to see ongoing progress prior to considering recommending an absolute discharge.
[20]. In response to questions from counsel for the Attorney General, Dr. Lee indicated that the removal of the prohibition from consumption of intoxicants could be considered to be a test of Mr. Slater’s ability to abstain independently.
[21]. In response to questions from panel members, Dr. Lee noted that Mr. Slater was a very busy individual involved in volunteering and an active participant in social groups and cooking groups. He continued to be supported by the forensic outpatient team, Good Shepherd staff and the “Team 5” Good Shepherd Mobile Housing Support Team and a small circle of friends.
Analysis and Conclusion, Significant Threat
[22]. Although the issue of significant threat was not contested at the hearing, the Board nevertheless makes an independent finding that Mr. Slater does represent a significant threat to the safety public. He suffers from a major mental illness, schizophrenia, as well as cocaine and stimulant use disorders, although in remission. When unwell, his mental disorder is marked by severe auditory hallucinations, persecutory delusions, limited insight, agitation, nonadherence with medication and aggression. He has a long history of substance abuse exacerbating his illness and placing the public at risk and limited insight into the impact of substance use on his mental health. Although his substance use disorder is currently in remission, as recently as 2023 he voiced a desire to return to the use of substances once granted an absolute discharge.
[23]. Although Mr. Slater is doing extremely well currently, the Board agrees with the treatment team that the severity his mental illness and potential for substance use based on a long substance use history, support a finding he continues to represent a threat to the safety of the public. However, should he continue to do well over the upcoming reporting year, such a conclusion may no longer justified.
Analysis and Conclusion, Necessary and Appropriate Disposition:
[24]. The Board finds that the evidence also amply supports the joint submission that the necessary and appropriate disposition is a continuation of the current discharge on conditions with the only change to the terms being the removal of the condition prohibiting consumption of intoxicating substances. Mr. Slater has been in the community for several years without significant incidents, has been cooperative with his treatment team, adherent to medication and abstained from substance use. The Board is satisfied that the supervision provided by the current disposition manages his risk to the public sufficiently. The Board also accepts that given his lengthy period of abstention from substance use, adherence to medication and cooperation with the treatment team the prohibition from consumption of intoxicating substances is no longer necessary.
DATED this 23^rd^ day of July 2025, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Robert Bigelow Alternate Chairperson
____________________________ Office of the Registrar Ontario Review Board