Ontario Review Board
Re: Kanwardeep Johar
ORB File No: 8275
Hearing held on: June 20, 2025
Place of hearing: Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care 401 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Ms. S. Kert
Members: Dr. T. Verny Dr. J.C. Rose Ms. K. Tomaszewski Ms. C. Plyley
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Kanwardeep Johar Counsel: Mr. W. Glover
The Person in charge of Hospital: Counsel: Ms. J. Zamprogna
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. K Dalrymple
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated July 21, 2025)
Introduction:
On April 3, 2023, Kanwardeep Johar, then 40 years old, was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (NCR) of robbery and using an imitation firearm in the commission of an indictable offence, both contrary to the Criminal Code.
Mr. Johar is currently subject to a disposition of the Ontario Review Board (the "Board") dated July 23, 2024, detaining him at the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care ("Southwest" or the "Hospital") with privileges up to and including the ability to live in the community of Elgin County, in accommodation approved by the person in charge. Mr. Johar is also subject to a non-attendance clause for a specified address.
On June 20, 2025, a panel of the Board convened to hold a hearing to review Mr. Johar's disposition pursuant to s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code. Mr. Johar was present for his hearing and was represented by counsel throughout the proceeding. Mr. Johar's brother was also present for his hearing.
The issues to be determined are whether Mr. Johar represents a significant threat to the safety of the public, and if so, the necessary and appropriate disposition to manage that risk having regard to the criteria set out in s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code.
At the commencement of the hearing, counsel for the Hospital submitted that Mr. Johar remains a significant threat to the safety of the public and recommended a continuation of the current detention order, with no changes other than the addition of an approved itinerary to the community pass provisions.
Ms. Dalrymple, counsel for the Attorney General, agreed with the Hospital’s position. Ms. Dalrymple asked the Board to consider the addition of a clause specifying that Mr. Johar refrain from having direct and indirect communication with Mr. M. Segal, who is a member of the Ontario Review Board. The Board was also asked to consider whether the non-communication clause should extend to all members of the Board.
Mr. Glover, counsel for Mr. Johar, took no position on the issue of significant threat and no position on the necessary and appropriate disposition. If the Board made a positive finding on the issue of significant threat, Mr. Glover noted that Mr. Johar views the continuation of the detention order with the terms and conditions proposed by the Hospital to be reasonable and appropriate.
For the reasons set out below, the Board finds that Mr. Johar 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 detention order with the changes proposed by the Hospital. As suggested by the counsel for the Attorney General, we have