Re: Louis Ronald Assin
ORB File No: 8547
Hearing held on: Tuesday, June 24, 2025
Place of hearing: Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. J. Goldenberg
Members: Dr. P. Prendergast Dr. S. Wiseman Hon. E. Kruzick Mr. S. Duffy
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Louis Ronald Assin Counsel: Mr. G. Labine
The Person in charge of Hospital: Representative: Ms. M. Davidson
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. P. Pasloski
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated August 21, 2025)
Introduction
Louis Ronald Assin was found not criminally responsible (“NCR”)on April 22, 2024, on charges of assault causing bodily harm and failure to comply with a probation order.
Mr. Assin is currently subject to a Disposition of the Ontario Review Board dated June 18, 2024, by which he was ordered to be detained at the Secure Forensic Unit of the Thunder Bay Regional Health Sciences Centre (“TBRHSC”). That disposition provides for a number of prohibitions and privileges up to living in the community in approved accommodation.
On Tuesday, June 24, 2025, the Ontario Review Board convened a hearing at TBRHSC and conducted the annual review of Mr. Assin’s disposition.
Position of the Parties
At the outset of the hearing, the parties were canvassed as to their recommendations to the Board.
Ms. Davidson appeared for the hospital. She advised of the hospital position that Mr. Assin remains significant threat to public safety, and if the Board so finds, the necessary and appropriate disposition is a continuation of a Detention Order with the exact terms set out in last year’s disposition.
Ms. Pasloski appeared for the Crown. She supported the hospital’s recommendation.
Mr. Labine appeared for Mr. Assin. He advised that he and his client also support the hospital’s recommendation. In response to a question from the Alternate Chair, Mr. Labine acknowledged at the present time, he accepts that his client is a significant threat to public safety as that term is used in the jurisprudence
Index Offence(s)
- The allegations giving rise to the index offence(s) are set out in the Hospital Report and summarized as follows:
On October 3, 2023, the victim, VANTOUR, was working at the Days Inn located at 1250 Golf Links Road. There, in a common area, she had an interaction with a male later identified as the accused Louis ASSIN. It was alleged that during the interaction, ASSIN bit VANTOUR on the face/right eye area causing her to bleed.
ASSIN ran from police and into room 233. Police entered the room and after a brief struggle, arrested ASSIN for assault causing bodily harm contrary to section 267 (b) of the Criminal Code. ASSIN during this time continued to make bizarre comments to the effect of “I’m going to eat you” and that he had some sort of personality disorder. A CPIC check revealed ASSIN was on probation dated April 23, 2023, with conditions to keep the peace and be of good behaviour. ASSIN was advised of this additional charge and was transported to 1200 Balmoral Street where it was determined that ASSIN was too uncooperative and unpredictable to speak to a lawyer at this time.
Evidence at the Hearing
- The Board admitted into evidence the hospital report dated May 29, 2025. The hospital report provides a great deal of information concerning Mr. Assin, his personal history, his mental health history, details of the index offence, and Mr. Assin’s course in hospital subsequent to the date of the NCR finding. As the hospital report was made an exhibit in this hearing, it is not necessary to reproduce the information contained in the hospital report in these reasons. We do note, however, the stated diagnoses of:
- Schizophrenia
- Alcohol Use Disorder
- Cannabis Use Disorder
- Stimulant Use Disorder – methamphetamine,
The Board also admitted into evidence Mr. Assin’s CPIC outlining his prior criminal convictions.
In addition to the documentary evidence, the Board heard from Dr. Leinonen. It was noted that the parties were making a joint recommendation. Dr. Leinonen noted that over the past 12 months, Mr. Assin has done “reasonably well.” Mr. Assin is medication compliant. He has been able to utilize some indirectly supervised hospital and grounds privileges, mostly appropriately. There has been one or more occasions when Mr. Assin was able to obtain and use substances when on a hospital and grounds pass.
Dr. Leinonen noted that Mr. Assin is still experiencing symptoms of his mental illness. As well, Mr. Assin is continuing to experience side effects of his medication. The doctor is hoping to achieve greater stability and find the appropriate medication and/or dose of medication that would lead to greater stability.
In response to a question from the Alternate Chair, Dr. Leinonen and the clinical team accept that Mr. Assin remains a significant threat to public safety. He is being treated with medication, but nevertheless is still experiencing serious psychotic symptoms. The doctor noted that Mr. Assin smokes cigarettes and that may have impacted the noted lower level of Clozapine.
The doctor also noted a significant concern of Mr. Assin’s substance use. The doctor noted that over the past 12 months, Mr. Assin did obtain and use substances. The doctor also opined that Mr. Assin’s use of substances has affected his stability.
In response to a question from a panel member, Dr. Leinonen described Mr. Assin’s insight as “variable.” Mr. Assin, however, accepts that medication is helpful. At some point in his testimony, Dr. Leinonen acknowledged that Mr. Assin has stated that after being treated with Clozapine, he is “not hearing the voices he used to hear.”
Again, in response to questions from Mr. Labine, Dr. Leinonen acknowledged his client’s Aboriginal background. The doctor noted that Mr. Assin does participate in the Blue Sky programming which allows Mr. Assin to participate in a number of traditional Indigenous activities.
In response to a question from a panel member, Dr. Leinonen acknowledged an unsuccessful attempt to transfer Mr. Assin to the Andras Court residence. Mr. Assin successfully used one overnight pass at the residence. He was then given a three-day leave of absence. This ended quickly, as Mr. Assin was able to purchase and use cocaine. The Board understands that the Andras Court residence is located in a section of Thunder Bay where substances are readily available.
In response to questions from another panel member, Dr. Leinonen acknowledged that his patient had participated in a four-week substance abuse program offered by Dilico.
Finally, in response to questions from another panel member, Dr. Leinonen advised that Mr. Assin’s name has been put on a waiting list for one or two supervised residences.
No other evidence was formally heard at this hearing.
Ms. Moore, Mr. Assin’s grandmother, was in attendance at this hearing. She requested an opportunity to address the Board, which the Board accepted. Ms. Moore wanted the panel to understand that the Andras Court residence would be a totally inappropriate location for Mr. Assin or any other hospital patient who has substance use issues. Ms. Moore stated her understanding that various drugs are readily available in the area where the Andras Court facility is located.
No other evidence was heard at this hearing.
Findings of the Board:
At the conclusion of the evidence, the Alternate Chair canvassed the parties as to their final positions. All parties agreed that at the present time, Mr. Assin represents a significant threat to public safety, and at the present time, the necessary and appropriate disposition is a continuation of a Detention Order with the exact terms set out in last year’s Disposition.
In the Board’s opinion, the parties’ joint recommendation is well-founded. Quite apart from the joint recommendation, the Board has no hesitation in accepting the evidence of Dr. Leinonen and the evidence contained in the hospital report. We do accept that Mr. Assin remains a significant threat to public safety. We note the serious nature of the index offence, and we also note two prior convictions for assault.
The Board also accepts that a Detention Order is both necessary and appropriate. It is clear that the hospital needs the ability to approve any potential community residence. We would expect that the hospital would be mindful of the evidence heard at this hearing concerning specific areas of Thunder Bay that would not be appropriate for Mr. Assin or any other patient with substance issues. We agree that a Detention Order is both necessary and appropriate. We agree that we should continue with all of the prohibitions set out in last year’s disposition.
In reaching our disposition, the Board has taken into consideration public safety, Mr. Assin’s mental condition and his other needs, and Mr. Assin’s reintegration into the community.
DATED this 21st day of August 2025, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
J. Goldenberg
Alternate Chair
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Office of the Registrar
Ontario Review Board