Matthew Ritchie (Re), 2025 CanLII 78518

Ontario Review Board

Re: Matthew Ritchie

ORB File No: 8400/8472

Hearing held on: Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Place of hearing: Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care 500 Church Street, Penetanguishene

Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code

Before: Alternate Chairperson: Mr. M. Segal Members: Dr. K. Hand Dr. L.O. Lightfoot Ms. M. Chamberlain Mr. J. Cyr

Parties Appearing:

Accused: Matthew Ritchie Counsel: Ms. K. Irwin (via Zoom)

The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Mr. J. Thomson

Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. S. Curry

REASONS FOR DISPOSITION

(Dated August 5, 2025)

Introduction:

1Matthew Ritchie, age 33, was found not criminally responsible on account of metal disorder on August 4, 2023, and January 22, 2024, on charges of assault, and assault causing bodily harm, contrary to the Criminal Code.

2On May 7, 2025, Mr. Ritchie appeared before the Ontario Review Board (the “Board”) for his annual hearing from the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health Care (the “hospital”). Mr. Ritchie’s mother and grandmother were also present.

3The Board had before it as Exhibit 1 a Hospital Report dated March 27, 2025, and by way of background the most recent Dispositions and most recent Reasons for Dispositions.

Diagnoses

[4] Schizophrenia Cocaine Use Disorder, moderate Amphetamines-type Substance Use Disorder, moderate

Index Offences

5While being escorted out of the Rideau Centre Mall after previously being trespassed, he punched a security guard in the head four times, tried to strangle him, and ripped off a piece of the officer’s body armour. Mr. Ritchie failed to report to probation under a conditional discharge sentence. While staying with his mother and grandmother he became angry with his grandmother for not immediately going out to purchase cigarettes. He started pulling on her hair and threw a plant down steps. While attending at the Ottawa Hospital he punched a security officer in the head.

Background

6A good summary of Mr. Ritchie's background is found in last year’s Reasons:

“Briefly, the court finding of not criminally responsible due to mental illness was based on the fact that on February 27, 2023, Mr. Ritchie assaulted a security guard at the Rideau Centre Mall in Ottawa, and on May 2, 2023, he assaulted a security guard at the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus while suffering from thought disorder, delusions or untreated or partly treated Schizophrenia. Prior to that finding, Mr. Ritchie was staying with his mother and grandmother at their apartment in Pembroke. He had recently been staying at the Salvation Army shelter in downtown Ottawa. He was on a suspended sentence from October 2022 for assaulting both his mother and grandmother.

Mr. Ritchie is presently 33 years of age. He was born in Scarborough and grew up primarily in Ajax. When he was 8 years old, he moved to Barrie where he lived with his aunt and uncle. Mr. Ritchie did not have any information about his biological father. He does not know his name, anything about his background or whether his biological father is alive. Mr. Ritchie has a twin sister. She was raised by their grandparents, and they did not see each other very much until age nine. He described their relationship as close, although they have not seen each other for a number of years. Mr. Ritchie reported that he was physically and sexually abused by his uncle growing up. He described his childhood as full of ‘instability and chaos’. Mr. Ritchie attended school in Barrie. He left school because of anxiety, social problems, and problems with his uncle. He described himself as always wanting to isolate. He was suspended for fighting in high school. He completed some high school credits, and he has no other formal education. Mr. Ritchie did not pursue employment other than working at a Tim Hortons for a couple of weeks in 2006. Mr. Ritchie also reported that he has never had any significant romantic relationships. He describes himself as ‘openly gay’ and that he did not want to get involved with people.

Since 2010, Mr. Ritchie has been using alcohol to cope with his past trauma. Beginning in 2020, he began using methamphetamines and crack cocaine regularly. In October 2022, he intentionally overdosed on fentanyl, requiring naloxone to be revived. On May 1, 2023, he overdosed but was revived after using a fentanyl pipe he found on the street. Mr. Ritchie reported that he received an opiate prescription for tooth pain, which he used entirely within a week.

A criminal records check showed entries beginning in 2005 to 2022, which included invitation to sexual touching and exposure to person under fourteen years, mischief, assault, assault with weapon, robbery with violence, failure to comply with probation orders and recognizances, among others.

Mr. Ritchie reported being charged with a criminal offence on the day after his twelfth birthday. He explained that because of the sexual abuse by his uncle, he experienced ‘urges’, which resulted in him pulling out his penis in front of his 6-year-old cousin. After this incident, he never had any sex-related charges again. He received 18 months of probation. Mr. Ritchie did not recall having any further legal involvement until 2010.

On March 10, 2023, Mr. Ritchie asked his grandmother to go to the store to get him cigarettes. She refused the request because she wished to finish her morning coffee. Mr. Ritchie became angry and began pulling on the hair on the back of her head. At some point in the confrontation, Mr. Ritchie smashed a potted plant, breaking the pot which belonged to his mother. His mother called for the police shortly after.

Both his mother and grandmother reported that they feared for their safety because of his past assaults on them, as well as the events of that day. Mr. Ritchie was held for bail because he told officers that he had nowhere else to go and he would likely return to his mother and grandmother’s home and continue the offence.

After a court treatment order, Mr. Ritchie’s mother and grandmother picked him up and brought him to stay with them in Pembroke. Within three weeks, he assaulted them, and he went to Ottawa to live in the shelter system after his release.”

7There was a reference to a report by Dr. Gojer dated January 21, 2024. It has now been filed with the Board.

8It was clarified that Mr. Ritchie is not facing any outstanding charges.

9In preliminary positions, all parties advanced that the current Disposition and conditions were appropriate and the least onerous and least restrictive Disposition except for one proposed change. In the current Disposition detaining Mr. Ritchie at the high secure program at Waypoint there is a ban on communications with his mother and grandmother that all parties agree should be lifted. At the conclusion of the hearing, the Board upheld the current Disposition but ordered deleted the non-contact clauses.

Evidence at Hearing

10Dr. Van Impe, the patient’s psychiatrist, testified. Dr. Van Impe noted that the trial of clozapine has been concluded because Mr. Ritchie stopped taking it. Long-acting Haldol was stopped due to ineffectiveness. Zuclopenthixol was started in September of 2024. Mr. Ritchie is doing a little bit better now but still remains in seclusion. Mr. Ritchie’s behaviour is variable including refusals to co-operate and threats. Psychosis is still present. He has paranoid beliefs including that staff are sexually assaulting and tasering him.

11An external consultation occurred. Mr. Ritchie is treatment refractory. The consultation endorsed some medication changes and recommended electroconvulsive therapy.

12About 18 months ago, Mr. Ritchie was in a less secure forensic hospital but had to be moved because of violence and threats to staff. Mr. Ritchie cannot be managed at present in a less secure facility. Significant threat to the safety of the public was clear.

13Dr. Van Impe has productive discussions with Mr. Ritchie. Dr. Van Impe has considered whether the variability in behaviour has a personality component. It is difficult to assess in view of the patient’s psychosis.

14In addition to administering medication as suggested by the consultation, lithium will be considered. Mr. Ritchie seems to enjoy music therapy.

15Dr. Van Impe has a good relationship with the patient’s mother who is the substitute decision maker.

16Dr. Van Impe agreed that pharmacogenetic testing may be a useful avenue and will consider that.

17Dr. Van Impe is reluctant to move ahead on ECT. The doctor's experience with that treatment has been mixed. The doctor's preference would be to exhaust other avenues first. The patient’s beliefs about staff tasering him would be another obstacle.

18Mr. Ritchie is on the Forensic Assessment Unit but has been recommended for transfer to the Beckwith wing.

19The doctor is of the view that sexual abuse at the hands of an uncle is not a reality-based belief. Addressing psychosis remains the primary goal. Addressing other issues, including substance use, need await the control of psychosis.

Analysis

20In essence, the Board was presented with a joint submission. The Hospital Report notes that: “Throughout his seclusion, Mr. Ritchie remains symptomatic, unpredictable, lacks insight into his behaviour, and does not take accountability for his actions.”. The report highlights at pages 20 to 24 countless violent and aggressive incidents. The hospital is trying hard to find a way forward including engaging in an external consultation and acting upon recommendations.

21As noted in the Hospital Report, Mr. Ritchie’s mother and grandmother are significant supports. They attended his hearing which is far away from their home. At their request, the no-contact provisions are lifted. In all other respects the current Disposition is maintained.