ORB 2025

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition following a finding of not criminally responsible for arson.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public due to her history of major mental illness, substance abuse, and non-compliance with treatment.

The Board ordered that the accused remain subject to a detention order at the hospital, with a minor amendment to the community living provision to expand the catchment area for potential housing.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for uttering threats.

The accused has treatment-resistant schizophrenia and a history of substance use.

The hospital recommended continuing the Detention Order but removing the abstain from substances clause to test the accused's ability to abstain as his privileges increase in the community.

The Board found the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety but accepted the hospital's recommendation to remove the abstain clause, noting that close supervision would allow for a quick return to the hospital if his mental health deteriorated.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for the accused, who was found not criminally responsible for arson endangering human life.

The accused suffers from major mental illness, recently diagnosed as Dissociative Identity Disorder, and has a history of substance abuse and severe childhood trauma.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to ongoing psychotic symptoms, hallucinations, and a recent relapse into substance use while in hospital.

A detention disposition was ordered as necessary and appropriate to manage her risk while she engages in the early phases of psychotherapy.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for offences including uttering threats and assault with intent to resist arrest.

At his initial disposition hearing before the Ontario Review Board, the uncontradicted psychiatric evidence established that his schizophrenia was well-managed in the community through long-acting injectable medication and a Community Treatment Order.

The Board found that the accused did not pose a significant threat to the safety of the public and granted an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory annual review of the accused's disposition pursuant to s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code.

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for assault and other offences.

The parties made a joint submission that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board accepted the joint submission, noting the accused's diagnoses of schizophrenia and alcohol use disorder, and ordered the maintenance of the current detention order with permission to live in approved community accommodation.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon and uttering threats.

The accused has diagnoses of schizophrenia, substance use disorder, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties, supported by the treating psychiatrist's evidence, that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the maintenance of the current detention order at the hospital, noting the plan to transition the accused to a supervised group home once approved.

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

The hospital, Crown, and accused jointly submitted that the accused no longer posed a significant threat to public safety.

Relying on the testimony of the attending forensic psychiatrist and the accused's sustained stability, treatment adherence, and lack of symptoms, the Board concluded the accused did not pose a real and substantial risk to the public.

An absolute discharge was granted.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to determine the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault of a peace officer and other offences, following his transfer from British Columbia to Ontario.

The Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to his schizophrenia, history of violence, severe substance abuse, and partial insight.

The Board ordered his continued detention at Ontario Shores, with increased community access passes to facilitate family visits and discharge planning.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for sexual interference and breach of probation.

The accused has diagnoses of moderate intellectual disability, pedophilic disorder, and fetal alcohol spectrum disorder.

Based on a joint recommendation from all parties and the evidence of the treating psychiatrist, the Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of a Detention Order with privileges, finding it to be the least onerous and least restrictive disposition available.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for assault with a weapon and assaulting a peace officer.

The accused, diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorder, had made significant progress in a transitional facility.

However, based on uncontroverted psychiatric evidence, the Board found the accused remained a significant threat to public safety due to the risk of decompensation.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention disposition on a joint submission from all parties.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for assault by choking and was discharged on conditions.

At his initial Ontario Review Board hearing, the hospital's attending psychiatrist testified that the accused's schizophrenia and substance use disorder were in partial remission, he had strong community support, and he no longer posed a significant threat to public safety.

The Crown and the accused supported the hospital's recommendation.

The Board unanimously accepted the psychiatric evidence, found the accused did not pose a significant threat to the safety of the public, and granted an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for the accused, who was previously found not criminally responsible for weapons and break-and-enter offences.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorder, had recently been readmitted to the hospital due to paranoia but showed rapid improvement after starting clozapine.

The Board accepted the joint submission of the parties, finding that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety and that a continuation of the Detention Order with amended privileges is the necessary and appropriate disposition.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for attempted murder, appeared before the Ontario Review Board for a mandatory review of his disposition.

The hospital and all parties recommended an absolute discharge.

The Board accepted the evidence of the treating psychiatrist that the accused's schizophrenia is stable, his substance use disorder is in full remission, and he has excellent insight and community support.

Applying the Winko test, the Board concluded the accused no longer poses a significant threat to public safety and ordered an absolute discharge.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review and a restriction of liberty hearing for the accused, who was detained at Providence Care Hospital.

The accused had been placed in seclusion following an assault on a co-patient.

The Board found the restriction of liberty was warranted and the least restrictive option available.

The Board concluded the accused continued to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and ordered her continued detention.

The Board declined to remove the alcohol prohibition from her disposition but expanded the geographical radius of her passes to allow overnight visits with her mother, subject to the approval of the person in charge.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for arson, had been subject to a detention order.

While the treating psychiatrist and the Hospital recommended continuing the detention order due to recent gambling and rule breaches, the majority of the Board found that the accused's risks were well-managed at her transitional residence.

Noting her five years of sobriety and overall positive trajectory, the majority ordered a Conditional Discharge.

A dissenting member would have maintained the detention order.

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

The Board accepted the joint submission and uncontroverted psychiatric evidence that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to schizophrenia, lack of insight, and risk of decompensation if non-compliant with medication.

The Board ordered a Detention Disposition with privileges, emphasizing the need for the accused to engage in structured activities and involve his parents in the therapeutic process before certain travel privileges could be exercised.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for theft.

The accused sought to remove conditions prohibiting cannabis use and requiring random drug screening, while conceding he remained a significant threat to public safety requiring a detention disposition.

The Board found that the accused's major mental illness, exacerbated by substance use, continued to pose a significant threat.

The Board concluded that a detention disposition remained necessary and that the abstinence and testing conditions were minimally intrusive and essential to ensure public safety, given the accused's history of rapid decompensation following substance use.

The accused was charged with historical sexual offences but was found unfit to stand trial by the Superior Court of Justice due to severe cognitive decline resulting from metastatic lung cancer.

The Ontario Review Board held a disposition hearing and unanimously accepted the psychiatric evidence that the accused's condition is permanent and he cannot meaningfully participate in a trial.

Applying the Supreme Court's test in Bharwani, the Board confirmed the accused is unfit to stand trial.

Given his medical condition and lack of significant threat to public safety, the Board ordered a conditional discharge with minimal conditions, including virtual reporting and a no-contact order with the victims.

The accused, previously found not criminally responsible for various offences including failure to comply with probation, was subject to an annual review of her disposition.

The Ontario Review Board considered evidence from her attending psychiatrist indicating she continues to suffer from schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorders, posing a risk of violent recidivism.

The Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of her detention at the forensic hospital.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the accused's disposition.

The accused was previously found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and criminal harassment.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public due to schizophrenia and substance use disorder.

The Board ordered the continuation of the current detention order, noting that while the accused has made progress, he requires close monitoring and supervision to manage his risk.