Re: Calvin W. Larondeau
ORB File No: 8225
Hearing held on: Thursday, May 8, 2025
Place of hearing: Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care 500 Church Street, Penetanguishene
Pursuant to: Sections 672.48(1) and 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Ms. C. Finley Members: Dr. K. Hand Dr. L.O. Lightfoot Ms. M. Chamberlain Mr. J. Cyr
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Calvin W. Larondeau Counsel: Ms. C. Francis (via Zoom)
The person in charge of hospital: Representative: Ms. T. Murdock
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. J. Armenise
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated August 6, 2025)
Introduction
On January 24, 2023, Calvin Larondeau was found unfit to stand trial on account of mental disorder on charges of break and enter, aggravated assault, assault with a weapon (x2), fail to comply with probation, attempt murder, possession of a weapon for a purpose dangerous to the public peace, possession of a prohibited weapon while prohibited (x4), and possession of a Schedule I substance (x2), all contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada or the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. He is currently subject to a disposition of the Ontario Review Board (the Board), dated May 27, 2024, detaining him at the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care – High Secure Provincial Forensic Programs (Waypoint/hospital), with hospital and grounds privileges, escorted by staff.
On May 8, 2024, the Board convened a hearing to determine whether Mr. Larondeau continues to be unfit to stand trial; if so, whether he represents 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. Mr. Larondeau was present and represented by Ms. Francis.
At the outset of the proceedings, all parties were canvassed as to their respective positions. Ms. Murdoch, on behalf of the hospital, submitted that Mr. Larondeau remains unfit to stand trial. He also 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. Ms. Armenise, on behalf of the Ministry of the Attorney General, concurred in the hospital’s positions. Ms. Francis indicated that although she would not take a position with respect to the issue of Mr. Larondeau’s fitness to stand trial, she agrees that Mr. Larondeau remains a significant threat to the safety of the public and agreed with the proposed disposition.
Findings
- For the reasons that follow, the Board finds that Mr. Larondeau remains unfit to stand trial. He continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public. The Board further finds that the necessary and appropriate disposition is a continuation of the current detention order.
Evidence
- The evidence at the hearing consisted of the Hospital Report, dated April 16, 2025 (ex. 1), and the viva voce evidence of Dr. Bouskill, Mr. Larondeau’s treating psychiatrist.
Alleged Index Offences
- The circumstances of the alleged index offences are taken from the previous Reasons for Disposition:
“Count 1: Break and Enter With Intent To Commit an Indictable Offense:
On July 4, 2021 at approximately 10:40am, the accused attended (address) in the City of North Bay Inside the residence were the apartment tenants, the victim and his wife (redacted), who were making breakfast. The victim heard someone at the patio screen, shaking the door, trying to get into the residence. The victim attended the door and observed the accused attempting to make entry into the apartment. The victim told the accused to leave but the accused said that his grandmother, Shirley, lived there, and to let him inside. The victim closed the interior door and locked it.
The accused continued to try and force open the door and was pounding at the door. The accused broke the screen door handle, and at that time the victim’s wife… called 911 to report the break in. As (victim’s wife) was on the phone with 911, the accused removed some of his clothing and he was observed with a knife. The accused removed a screen to the living room window, and kicked the window and broke the glass, forcing the entire window pane and frame inside the apartment. The accused was observed to be carrying a knife, and at that time (victim’s wife) and the victim fled the apartment.
Count 2-6: Attempt Murder, Aggravated Assault, Assault with a Weapon (x2), Possession of a Weapon for a Dangerous Purpose
(Victim’s wife) and the victim ran down the hall and at some point separated. (Victim’s wife) exited outside by the nearest exit, while the victim went to another corridor leading to other apartment units in the complex. The accused followed the victim into the hallway and attacked the victim. The accused struck the victim in the back of the head with a brick, causing the victim to fall to the floor. The accused then proceeded to attack the victim using a large hunting/skinning knife, and repeatedly stabbed the victim nine times in the head and upper body, causing extensive blood loss. Constable Hofmann of the North Bay Police Service arrived while the accused was still over top of the victim. Constable Hofmann challenged the accused with a conductive energy weapon, at which point the accused immediately put his hands up and dropped the knife. The accused was arrested by police without incident. The victim was rushed to North Bay Regional health Center where he nearly succumbed to his injuries. The victim required eight units of blood due to his blood loss and was eventually stabilized by medical staff. As a result of the attck, the victim was stabbed nine time, had a large contusion over his ear, the base of his skull had a hematoma, which medical staff presumed was cause by being struck in the back of the head by the brick, and he had multiple abrasions.
Background Information
- The Hospital Report contains detailed information about Mr. Larondeau’s background and psychiatric history and need not be reviewed here but for the following material points.
Mr. Larondeau is a 36-year-old man who was born and raised in North Bay, Ontario. At the age of 17, he received a diagnosis of Oppositional Defiant Disorder (ODD) and Attention Deficit Disorder (ADD). He spent much of his youth in detentions centres. Mr. Larondeau did not obtain any high school credits during his time in high school. However, he was able to obtain some credits during his time in youth detention. He also participated in Project Dare, a youth open-custody therapy program, for six months after the court ordered him to attend treatment.
Mr. Larondeau has a lengthy criminal record that begins when he was fifteen and extends to the time of the alleged index offences. It includes multiple convictions for break and enter, violence, trafficking in drugs and failing to comply with court orders. A detailed account of his record can be found in the Hospital Report, at pp. 4-8.
Mr. Larondeau was previously married to a woman and fathered two children who were adopted by other families. Collateral information suggested that his marriage was unstable and conflictual as both partners had addiction issues1. Accusations of intimate partner abuse and violence were reported. Prior to his incarceration, Mr. Larondeau was homeless.
Mr. Larondeau has a long history of problematic substance use, including cannabis, opioids, heroin, and fentanyl, at times administered by injection. He has stated that he used cannabis to manage his anxiety. Records indicated that Mr. Larondeau may have presented as overtly psychotic in the context of opiate withdrawal, or abrupt substance or medication withdrawal.
According to Mr. Larondeau’s mother, Mr. Larondeau has been in and out of jail for 20 years but has never received treatment for his mental health issues. In April 2021, he began to exhibit bizarre, disorganized, and paranoid behaviour. He believed that his mother and grandmother were his children; he would wear his underwear on his head; he would take on different personas when talking to his mother, claiming to be different people. She indicated that she sometimes did not feel safe around him.
Following his arrest in July 2021, Mr. Larondeau was found fit to stand trial and transferred from North Bay Jail to the Central East Correctional Centre. He subsequently was released from custody and placed on a Form 1 under the Mental Health Act due to his risk of harm towards others. He was taken to the North Bay Regional Health Centre. He was assessed and the Form 1 was discontinued. Mr. Larondeau was released into the community.
In May 2022, Mr. Larondeau was again in custody and was transferred to North Bay Regional Health Centre for assessment of his fitness to stand trial. He disclosed an addiction to cocaine and opiates, and also admitted to using fentanyl while in custody at the North Bay Jail. Upon admission for his assessment, Mr. Larondeau became angry, threatening and argumentative. A Code White was initiated, and he was placed in seclusion.
Mr. Larondeau’s mental status fluctuated while in seclusion. Initially, he was aggressive and threatened to harm and kill staff. He was observed responding to unknown stimuli and he expressed persecutory and grandiose themes. He endorsed he was the controller of all life and death and spoke of communicating with Jesus, Allah, Satan and Buddha. It was felt that his presentation was most consistent with multiple substance use disorders, and it was unclear whether he had an underlying psychotic illness. Mr. Larondeau was found to meet the basic criteria for Fitness to Stand Trial and, in October 2022, transferred to the North Bay Jail.
Over the following months, Mr. Larondeau’s mental status deteriorated in the context of noncompliance with medication. He continued to present with elaborate grandiose delusions, stating that he created heroin, opioids, and religion. He was noted to be mumbling to himself at times, suggesting he may be responding to internal stimuli.
Mr. Larondeau was transferred to Waypoint on March 8, 2023, following the finding that he was unfit to stand trial. Upon admission, he repeatedly tried to circumvent ward policies regarding expected behaviors. He was found to be in possession of several concealed items of contraband that were potentially dangerous, including a sharpened plastic spoon. Despite staff removing the items, Mr. Larondeau continued to make weapons. Staff expressed extreme concern for their safety.
Course Since the Last Disposition
Mr. Larondeau’s current diagnoses are Schizophrenia and Opioid Use Disorder, Moderate. He remains incapable of consenting to treatment and his parents are his Substitute Decision Makers. Mr. Larondeau resided on the Forensic Assessment Program, Unit B until April 11, 2024, at which time he was transferred to the Beausoleil A program. At the outset of the review, he was under the care of Dr. A. Mishra. In September 2024, his care was transferred to Dr. S. Bouskill.
Over the course of the year in review, there were several instances when Mr. Larondeau was noncompliant with his medication. He either refused his medication or diverted it by “cheeking” the pills or throwing them in the garbage. To address this issue, the team made changes to the administration of his antipsychotic medication. His intramuscular injections were provided at shorter intervals, and he was closely monitored following the administration of his oral medication. In addition, to address suspected abuse of his Bupropion (by inhaling), this medication is now administered crushed and dissolved. Mr. Larondeau’s mental status has improved and there have been no incidents of physical aggression or seclusion.
Although Mr. Larondeau has achieved the highest level of privileges, allowing for up to 4 hours off of the unit, he spends much of his day either sleeping or resting awake in bed. His engagement with the care team is infrequent. When staff attempt to engage him, he provides one-word replies and terminates therapeutic engagements abruptly without responding. Mr. Larondeau has declined all offers to engage in formal therapeutic group programming.
Mr. Larondeau has engaged on an informal basis with the Traditional Healer. He also enjoys contact with and ongoing support from his mother. This support has included telephone communication, weekly zoom visits, and in-person visits.
Fitness to Stand Trial
Mr. Larondeau was assessed for fitness on numerous occasions over the year in review, by both Dr. Bouskill and Dr. Mishra. Mr. Larondeau has been able to clearly and consistently demonstrate an accurate understanding of the participants in a courtroom and their roles. He also is able to demonstrate an abstract knowledge of potential legal consequences. However, due to his delusion that he is exempt from legal jurisdiction, he does not accept that those consequences would apply to him and consequently would not be able to make decisions about his own defence.
At pp. 58-9 of the Hospital Report, Dr. Bouskill draws the following conclusion:
“Mr. Larondeau is able to understand information but remains incapable of applying that information to his own circumstances. In my opinion, Mr. Larondeau, on account of his mental illness, does not have a reality-based understanding of the nature and object and possible consequences of the proceedings. In my opinion, with consideration for the burden of proof to re-establish his fitness, on a balance of probabilities, Mr. Larondeau remains unfit on account of his inability to “understand the possible consequences of the proceedings” and to “meaningfully communicate with counsel”. He does not have the capacity for rational or reality-based decision making and would therefore be unable to participate in trial in a meaningful way. This opinion is formed with consideration for the seriousness of the charges and potential complexity and length of the trial.”
Dr. Bouskill testified before the Board. She continues to have the opinion that Mr. Larondeau remains unfit to stand trial. Although he has an understanding of the nature of the proceedings and the potential consequences, he does not believe that they would apply to him, due to his status as “the Creator”. His case would not proceed to trial, and he would be set free.
Dr. Bouskill testified that Mr. Larondeau’s mental status remains quite fragile. He continues to be inconsistent in accepting his medication and requires close monitoring in that regard. Without that supervision, Mr. Larondeau would likely cease taking any medication.
Dr. Bouskill reported that there have been some improvements over the past year. In May 2024, Mr. Larondeau had gone 111 days refusing his oral medication. The recent change to long-acting injection at a shorter interval is likely one of the primary reasons for his improvement. However, Mr. Larondeau is still exhibiting symptoms of his psychotic illness, indicating that there is room for further improvements in treatment.
In terms of restoring Mr. Larondeau’s fitness, the primary goal is to optimize his treatment. That may result in Mr. Larondeau becoming more engaged with his treatment team and therefore able to participate in more formal fitness coaching. In Dr. Bouskill’s opinion, he has the potential to become fit. The doctor testified that it is possible that this could occur within the next year but not probable.
In Dr. Bouskill’s opinion, Mr. Larondeau continues to require the highly structured and supervised High Secure unit at Waypoint. He is unlikely to continue with medication in a less supervised environment or an unsupervised environment such as a correctional facility. Mr. Larondeau also, by his own admission, has obtained a number of substances while in the correctional environment. In both of those scenarios, he is likely to decompensate.
All parties maintained their initial positions.
Analysis and Conclusion
The Board has carefully considered the Hospital Report and the evidence of Dr. Bouskill and unanimously finds that Mr. Larondeau remains unfit to stand trial. In the decision R v Bharwani, 2023 ONCA 203, the Ontario Court of Appeal provides guidance on this determining whether an accused is fit to stand trial. To be fit, the accused must be capable of communicating rationally with counsel or the court. The accused must have a reality-based understanding of his legal situation, be able to maintain a meaningful presence, and have the capacity to meaningfully participate in the trial process. These are touchstones for the fitness inquiry and the determination of the fundamental question of whether the accused can fairly participate.
The Board accepts Dr. Bouskill’s opinion that, although Mr. Larondeau is able to demonstrate a theoretical understanding of the court process, he does not accept that it applies to him. Accordingly, he would not be able to participate meaningfully in a trial, nor could he meaningfully and rationally instruct counsel. Therefore, he remains unfit to stand trial.
The Board finds that Mr. Larondeau continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public. He has a diagnosis of Schizophrenia and a significant history of noncompliance with medication. Indeed, his compliance continues to be an issue while in the highly structured and supervised setting at Waypoint. He also has a long history of substance use that has exacerbated his symptoms and contributed to his decompensation. Absent a disposition from the Board, Mr. Larondeau would cease taking his medications and would reengage with substance use. He would experience a deterioration in his mental status and, as at the time of the index offence, become aggressive and violent. As such, he continues to represent a significant threat.
The Board finds that the necessary and appropriate disposition is a continuation of the current detention order at the High Secure Provincial Forensic Program at Waypoint. In arriving at its conclusion, the Board has considered the paramount factor of the safety of the public, Mr. Larondeau’s mental condition, and his other needs, as required by s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code. Mr. Larondeau must be closely monitored to ensure that he remains compliant with his medication. In addition, close supervision is required to ensure that any contraband or potential weapons are confiscated. This is crucial to ensure the safety of staff and other patients on the unit.
In conclusion, the Board finds that Mr. Larondeau remains unfit to stand trial, that he remains a significant threat to the safety of the public, and that the necessary and appropriate disposition is a continuation of the current detention order.
DATED ths 6th day of August 2025, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Ms. C. Finley Alternate Chairperson Office of the Registrar Ontario Review Board