ORB 2025

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for offences including criminal harassment and public mischief.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had recently breached his disposition by contacting his ex-wife, leading to his readmission to the hospital.

The Board applied the Winko test and found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety, particularly to his ex-wife.

The Board ordered that the Detention Disposition be continued on the same terms and conditions, rejecting a request to loosen community housing restrictions.

The accused was charged with causing unnecessary pain to an animal after stomping on a Canada Goose gosling.

He was found unfit to stand trial due to frontotemporal dementia and the matter was remitted to the Ontario Review Board.

The Board found that he remains permanently unfit to stand trial as his neurocognitive disorder renders him unable to meaningfully communicate with counsel.

The Board also found that he currently poses a significant risk to the safety of the public due to his lack of community supports.

The Board ordered a conditional discharge, agreeing with the joint recommendation of the parties, as it is the least onerous disposition capable of protecting the public.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for mischief.

The hospital and the Attorney-General recommended maintaining the current detention disposition, and the accused's counsel joined in this position.

The Board accepted the uncontroverted evidence that the accused continues to experience breakthrough symptoms and incidents of aggression, finding that she remains a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered that the detention disposition be maintained.

The accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for uttering a threat, was readmitted to the hospital after his condition deteriorated, suspected to be due to substance use.

A restriction of liberty hearing was held to determine if the readmission was necessary and warranted under s. 672.81(2.1) of the Criminal Code.

The Ontario Review Board found that the initial readmission was justified due to the accused's manic-like symptoms and potential risk.

However, the Board concluded that the evidence did not support detaining the accused in the hospital beyond nine days after his readmission, as he had returned to his baseline condition.

The accused was found not criminally responsible (NCR) for multiple counts of mischief after damaging religious property while experiencing psychosis.

At his initial Ontario Review Board hearing, the Board found that he continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his history of rapid decompensation when non-compliant with medication.

However, noting his current stability, insight into his illness, and strong family support, the Board accepted a joint submission and ordered a conditional discharge with conditions including weekly reporting and abstention from intoxicants.

Austin McParland was found not criminally responsible for dangerous driving and referred to the Ontario Review Board.

At his initial disposition hearing, the Board found that he continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his bipolar disorder, history of disengagement from psychiatric services, and medication non-compliance.

The Board concluded that a conditional discharge was insufficient to manage his risk and ordered a detention order with permission to reside in the community in approved accommodation.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault causing bodily harm due to schizophrenia.

The Board heard evidence that the accused has poor insight into his illness and requires supervision to ensure medication compliance.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and ordered the continuation of his current detention order at the hospital without change.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for assault, appeared before the Ontario Review Board for an annual hearing.

The hospital and Crown recommended maintaining the current detention order, while the accused sought an absolute discharge.

The Board accepted psychiatric evidence that the accused lacks insight, has a history of cannabis-induced decompensation, and would pose a significant threat to public safety without supervision.

The Board denied the absolute discharge and found a conditional discharge unfeasible due to a lack of community supports, ordering the continuation of the detention order.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault and possession of a weapon.

The accused has schizophrenia and a substance use disorder, with recent incidents of absconding to secure substances.

The hospital proposed maintaining the current Detention Order with privileges, focusing on anti-craving medication and a potential residential treatment program.

The Board accepted the joint submission, finding the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and the current Disposition is the least onerous and least restrictive means to manage his risk.

The accused was referred to the Ontario Review Board after being found unfit to stand trial on charges including sexual assault.

The accused suffers from a moderate developmental delay and schizoaffective disorder.

The Board unanimously found the accused unfit to stand trial, noting his inability to understand the judicial process or communicate effectively with counsel due to his mental disorder.

The Board ordered a Conditional Discharge, finding it to be the least onerous and least restrictive disposition necessary to protect public safety, with conditions including no contact with the victims and monthly reporting to the hospital.

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for violent offences committed against his partner while experiencing active symptoms of schizophrenia.

At his annual Review Board hearing, the hospital and the Crown submitted that he continues to pose a significant threat to public safety but recommended amending his detention order to allow community living anywhere in Northwestern Ontario.

The Board accepted the uncontroverted psychiatric evidence that, despite his recent progress and medication compliance, the accused remains a significant threat due to his history of relapses and non-compliance.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order with the requested amendment to his community living privileges.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for second-degree murder.

The hospital and the Attorney General supported an absolute discharge.

The Board found that the accused no longer represents a significant threat to the safety of the public, noting his six-year absence of psychotic symptoms, medication adherence, and abstinence from substances.

The Board ordered an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for first-degree murder.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to his history of violence and primary psychotic illness.

However, noting his successful treatment year and remission of psychotic symptoms, the Board ordered a Detention Order to the Forensic Service with expanded privileges, including community living in supervised accommodation, to facilitate cautious reintegration and assist with housing waitlists.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the hospital's decision to readmit the accused, who was previously residing in the community, thereby significantly restricting his liberty.

The accused had been exhibiting a deterioration in mental status, testing positive for cocaine, and failing to maintain his supported housing.

The Board found that the readmission and continued detention were necessary, warranted, and the least onerous and restrictive measures available to manage his risk to public safety.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for robbery and weapons offences.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder, sought a transfer to a general unit or a pre-transfer visit to his designated destination hospital.

The Board found the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his history of non-compliance and substance use exacerbating psychotic symptoms.

The Board ordered the continuation of his detention at the Forensic Service, expanding his community access privileges, but declined to order a pre-transfer hospital visit citing jurisdictional limits.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and assault with a weapon.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, was detained at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his limited insight and history of non-adherence to medication.

The Board ordered the continuation of his detention order, but granted expanded indirectly supervised community access to the Greater Toronto Area and provisions for community living in approved accommodation, as jointly recommended by the parties.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for three charges of assault.

The accused, diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder and a developmental disorder, has resided in a hospital setting for most of his life.

The hospital and the Crown recommended the continuation of a detention order, citing ongoing episodes of emotional dysregulation and aggression towards staff, which the accused did not oppose.

The Board accepted the medical evidence that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of the detention order, while noting frustration over the delay in securing appropriate supportive housing.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the disposition of the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for uttering threats.

The accused has a history of serious violence, schizophrenia, and substance abuse.

Despite a difficult start to the year, including an AWOL incident and an assault on a co-patient, the accused showed significant recent improvement after agreeing to take injectable antipsychotic medication.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and ordered that the current detention order at the hospital be maintained, allowing for gradual community reintegration as his condition stabilizes.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder, sought a conditional discharge.

The hospital and Crown advocated for a continued Detention Order.

The Board found that the accused continued to pose a significant threat to public safety due to a history of violence, medication noncompliance, and decompensation exacerbated by cannabis use.

The Board ordered the continuation of the Detention Order, maintained the cannabis ban, and permitted travel passes within Ontario.

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for sexual assault and assaulting a peace officer, appeared before the Ontario Review Board for an annual hearing.

The accused has diagnoses of schizophrenia and substance use disorder and recently had a restriction of liberty following an altercation with a co-patient.

All parties jointly submitted that the current Disposition, a Detention Order with privileges up to living in the community, should remain unchanged.

The Board agreed, finding the current Disposition appropriate, justified, and the least onerous and restrictive in the circumstances.