Re: Anthony Minardi
ORB File No: 8829
Hearing held on: Monday, December 01, 2025
Place of hearing: St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
Pursuant to: Section 672.47(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Ms. L. Banks
Members: Dr. M. Attia
Dr. P. N. Wright
Mr. E. Siebenmorgen
Mr. A. Mete
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Anthony Minardi
Counsel: Mr. A. Confente
The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Mr. S. O’Brien
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. C. Gzik
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated January 2, 2026)
Introduction:
On July 14, 2025, Mr. Anthony Minardi was found not criminally responsible by reason of mental disorder (NCR) on one count of arson, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. The presiding judge did not make a Disposition and deferred that matter to the Ontario Review Board (“ORB” or “the Board”). Mr. Minardi, who had been released on an Undertaking pending his trial, remained out of custody. On July 31, 2025, the Board ordered that Mr. Minardi attend for an assessment pursuant to s. 672.121 of the Criminal Code.
The date of the index offence was July 30, 2023. Mr. Minardi eventually pled guilty to the charge of arson and the presiding judge ordered a pre-sentence report. As a result of information contained in that report, a criminal responsibility assessment was ordered. Dr. Olivia Lee, who co-authored the assessment report with Dr. Gary Chaimowitz, testified at the criminal responsibility hearing.
On December 1, 2025, Mr. Minardi appeared for his initial hearing before the Board at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton (“SJHH” or “the Hospital”). He was represented by his counsel, Mr. Confente. Also in attendance was Mr. Minardi’s mother, Rose Minardi.
The issues to be considered at the hearing were whether Mr. Minardi represents a significant threat to public safety as defined in s. 672.5401 of the Criminal Code and, if so, the determination of the necessary and appropriate Disposition in the circumstances bearing in mind the factors enunciated in s. 672.54 of the Code.
The Record and documentary evidence for the hearing included the following:
the Information;
the Crown Brief Synopsis and attendant witness statements;
the NCR assessment report dated March 13, 2025;
a transcript of the Reasons for Judgment in the Ontario Court of Justice, July14, 2025;
the Disposition Hearing Outcome from the Ontario Court of Justice, dated July 14, 2025;
Pre-Hearing Conference Reports dated July 30, 2025, August 6, 2025, and November 20, 2025; and
the Risk Assessment Report of Dr. Chaimowitz, dated November 14, 2025.
In addition, the Board heard the oral evidence of Dr. Chaimowitz and of Ms. Minardi.
When asked for their initial, without prejudice positions at the outset of the hearing, all parties joined in the recommendation that the necessary and appropriate Disposition was a Detention Order at the SJHH Forensic Psychiatry Program containing the terms and conditions suggested in the November 14, 2025 Report, with privileges up to and including living in Southern Ontario in accommodation approved by the person in charge of the Hospital. The parties maintained the joint recommendation at the conclusion of the hearing. The issue of “significant threat” was undisputed.
For the following Reasons, the panel found, unanimously, that Mr. Minardi represents a significant threat to the safety of the public and accepted the parties’ joint submission that the necessary and appropriate Disposition is a Detention Order that permits Mr. Minardi, at the discretion of the person in charge of the Hospital, to enjoy privileges up to and including community living in approved accommodation. The particular terms and conditions of the Disposition are listed at the conclusion of these Reasons.
The Index Offence
The circumstances of the index offence are taken from the uncontested facts at Mr. Minardi’s trial and the synopses in the Record. On July 30, 2023 at approximately 11pm the Hamilton Fire Department and the Hamilton Police Service responded to a well-developed fire on Highway #6 in Flamborough. The property includes an old farmhouse, originally built in 1867, and several outbuildings including a large two-storey barn. The barn was completely engulfed in flames. Hamilton Fire battled with the fire for hours and water had to be brought in due to the rural area having no fire hydrants. As a result, the barn was completely destroyed. The individual who held the Power of Attorney in relation to the property estimated the total damage at $250,000.00.
Police located two broken windows in the farmhouse and evidence the suspect cut themselves upon entry. Inside the farmhouse police located a secondary area of origin for the fire. There was a pooling of a flammable liquid and a burn pattern on the floor. This fire self extinguished.
Shortly after the fire a person called the Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) and admitted to breaking in and setting a fire at his family’s farmhouse. He stated he was cut from the glass and needed to go to the hospital. He failed to provide a name but stated he was with his dog “Blue”. Further investigation revealed that Mr. Minardi was the pet owner for “Blue” and admitted to setting the fire. He had fresh cuts to his arms and stated he was having a mental health crisis. Police arrested him, released him on an Undertaking, and brought him to hospital for a mental health assessment.
As is elaborated upon below, Mr. Minardi had been diagnosed with a mental illness and had a history of substance use prior to the index offence. He had not been taking his medication as prescribed prior to the offence. In his self-report for his criminal responsibility assessment, he acknowledged consuming one joint of cannabis and one “tallboy” beer. He reported being in considerable distress about the death of his grandfather and subsequent "drama" over ownership of the family farm, which had been left to his mother. He believed that the world was controlled by the Illuminati. Не also considered himself to be part of the Illuminati and believed music being released was about him. He believed that songs recommended to him on the streaming service Spotify were messages from the Illuminati. Because of messages he believed he was receiving from songs that he played on the day of the index offence, he believed he should set fire to something, and, because of the tension over the family farm, he believed burning it down would be considered "really big," a worthy gesture to prove himself to the Illuminati.
General History and Background Information
Mr. Minardi is presently 24 years of age and was 22 at the time of the index offence. The Risk Assessment Report indicates that he had a happy childhood, which included times spent playing on the family farm with extended family, until his parents separated when he was 10 years old. His mother reported that following the separation, which prompted a move from Dundas to Burlington and a change in schools, she noticed a change in his mood and behaviour. She reported that he no longer wanted to attend school, felt overwhelmed by the academic pressures and expectations placed on him by teachers, and began struggling with suicidal ideation.
Mr. Minardi reportedly started using cannabis when he was in Grade 11 or 12. His mother reported that when her son was under the influence of cannabis, he struggled with memory issues, appeared "air-headed," was too relaxed, forgetful, missed school, lost things, became easily angered, and snapped at her to the point that he scared her. Mr. Minardi reported that ongoing use of cannabis resulted in him becoming paranoid, hearing auditory hallucinations, and believing he could read people’s minds. Mr. Minardi stated that he essentially “gave up” on his studies in Grade 12. He graduated from high school with plans to take a year off, during which he "played video games and smoked weed". He reportedly enrolled in the Social Services Program at Mohawk College in 2022 but withdrew as he felt "overwhelmed" and because it was a "poor fit." He advised the NCR assessment team that he was interested in attending Mohawk College in the future to obtain a Diploma in their Dual Diagnosis program with the goal of helping others with mental health and substance use issues.
Mr. Minardi reported occasional work as a Door Dash delivery driver. He stopped this work frequently due to his reported anxiety. He was supported financially by his parents until January of 2025, when he was approved for Ontario Disability Support Program (ODSP) benefits. At the time of the risk assessment ordered by the Board, he reported that he was currently delivering for Door Dash again, working a four-hour shift on alternate days.
Mental Health and Substance Use History
Mr. Minardi has an extensive psychiatric and substance use history that is extensively detailed in the Risk Assessment Report. According to his mother, Mr. Minardi first began struggling with his mental health when he was 18 years old in 2019. She reported that his episodes of psychosis were triggered by his consumption of cannabis. She indicated that his symptoms included poor sleep, appetite changes, vomiting, withdrawal from social activities, and a decline in self-esteem. He was hospitalized for approximately four weeks in February and March of 2020 after reporting suicidal thoughts and threatening to kill his mother. His discharge diagnosis was cannabis-induced psychotic episode with manic features. He consumed cannabis during passes from the hospital, despite health teaching concerning its negative impact on his mental health. His acute symptoms improved with antipsychotic medication, and he discharged himself to his mother’s home after it was determined that he no longer met the criteria for involuntary admission.
Records from the Cleghorn Clinic indicated deterioration in Mr. Mnardi’s mental condition as he discontinued or reduced the dosage of his prescribed antipsychotic medication (olanzapine) between December of 2022 and May of 2023. Mr. Minardi acknowledged that he continued to use cannabis while connected to the Cleghorn Clinic. His mother reported that Mr. Minardi’s mental health began deteriorating and he experienced manic symptoms starting in April 2023. She observed him "pacing in the house more than normal, constantly going for walks outside, sometimes up to ten times a day and night, listening to music, shutting [her] out, laughing at inappropriate times, not sleeping, and using cannabis to cope." She stated that he had told her he was not feeling well and had begun going to bars and clubs, which was out of character for him. She added that she began to fear him because he demonstrated a "hatred towards [her]," which was also unlike him, prompting her to contact the Crisis Outreach and Support Team (COAST) and his team at the Cleghorn Clinic.
By June of 2023, he was showing improvement but requested to discontinue his medication due to side effect concerns. His treatment team agreed to cross-titrate with Abilify after providing Mr. Minardi with information about relapse concerns. He was provided with extensive support, reassurance, and education regarding his medication concerns but continued to take the medications in an unprescribed manner. During this time, Mr. Minardi’s grandfather passed away, he experienced significant family tensions, and he resumed cannabis use after having self-reported that he had abstained for approximately two years1. Mr. Minardi requested to be discharged from the program, and planning began to have his discharge by the end of the summer of 2023. He missed a follow-up appointment on July 31, 2023, having presented that day to the Emergency Department after committing the index offence.
Following the index offence, Mr. Minardi was transitioned from the Cleghorn Clinic to the Mood Disorders Outpatient Program at SJHH. A psychological assessment was conducted in August of 2023 to provide a diagnostic opinion and to determine whether personality features were contributing to his clinical presentation. His care team noted that "investigations with the psychology team were suggestive of Cluster B Personality Disorder, mainly Borderline and Antisocial Personality Disorder traits". He was discharged from the program following a visit on October 20, 2023, as he did not present with any evidence of Bipolar Disorder or primary psychosis.
Notwithstanding Mr. Minardi’s presentation as described above, he was hospitalized several times during October of 2023. In addition to his mother’s concerns about his presentation, he had been placing numerous calls to COAST. When asked about those calls, he stated, "ha well yeah it’s been really tough when the music becomes so consuming that it’s only about me…like all the lyrics are about me and they’re in my chest and I’m still part human so it’s tough to be the son of Satan you know?” Police brought him to hospital on October 26, 2023 after he called 9-1-1. He was reportedly found in a bush. During an assessment in the hospital, he lunged at staff while trying to leave and was administered chemical restraints before settling down.
Following a lengthy (six weeks) admission to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH) in late 2023, Mr. Minardi was placed on a Community Treatment Order (CTO), with follow-up by his family doctor to monitor the CTO, by SJHH for psychiatric care, and by the CAMH Bridging Care Service to ensure administration of medication until confirmation was received of psychiatric care at SJHH. His admission had been precipitated by a suicide attempt, which he had undertaken in order to “punish” his mother for taking him to the hospital. He was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder, bipolar type.
Mr. Minardi has been followed by the Schizophrenia Outpatient Clinic (SOC) at SJHH since his discharge from CAMH under the terms of his CTO. His care team includes a psychiatrist, Dr. Odejayi. During an appointment in March of 2024, he acknowledged that he was consuming crack cocaine approximately three times weekly since his discharge from CAMH. He also continued to use cannabis. He was referred to the program’s addiction specialist. Records indicate that Mr. Minardi attended appointments regularly, typically accompanied by his mother. It was noted that his calls to COAST increased significantly during the summer of 2025, with most calls deemed inappropriate in nature, prompting COAST to contact the Schizophrenia Outpatient Clinic. Additionally, Mr. Minardi was reported to have contacted staff at Cleghorn via social media despite prior instructions not to do so. His care team further reported that he had begun increasing his alcohol consumption. Mr. Minardi and his mother received psychoeducation on substance use and recovery, and he was referred to the Young Adult Substance Use Program.
During his risk assessment interview in 2025, Mr. Minardi stated that he has quit consuming crack cocaine. He reported that his drinking had increased in the last year and that he drank in a “binge pattern.” He stated that he uses about 200 mL of alcohol mixed with orange juice or Red Bull.
The Risk Assessment Report states that in September 2025, Mr. Minardi’s mother stated that she had increasing concerns regarding her son’s mental state. She stated he had been “experiencing delusions again, and that she was worried that he was at a critical point where he may need hospitalization.” She also noted that “he is ambivalent about seeking help, and his fears about being locked up and horribly medicated are making it difficult for him to accept support.” She added that, “he had a history of becoming increasingly ill and potentially dangerous if he [didn’t] receive timely intervention [and she was] afraid that [they] were at a similar junction”.
Diagnosis and Current Treatment
The Risk Assessment Report states that Mr. Minardi is diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder and substance use disorder, the latter considered to be in remission.
At the time of his risk assessment, Mr. Minardi was continuing to receive treatment through the SOC. He has been under the care of this clinic since February of 2024. He receives a combination of injectable and oral antipsychotic medication.
Testimony at the Hearing
Dr. Chaimowitz testified at the hearing. He adopted and elaborated upon both the NCR Report and the Risk Assessment Report.
Dr. Chaimowitz expressly adopted his previously recorded opinion, in the Risk Assessment Report, that Mr. Minardi represents a significant threat to the safety of the public. In this regard, he emphasized that Mr. Minardi suffers from a major mental disorder, that he requires antipsychotic medication, that his active symptoms have not fully dissipated despite being mitigated, and that he does not fully understand the nature of his relationship with a clinical team.
Dr. Chaimowitz noted Mr. Minardi’s ongoing calls to COAST2. He did not receive an explanation from him for these calls, though Mr. Minardi expressed surprise and a degree of upset that the assessment team had knowledge of the more recent contacts. Dr. Chaimowitz observed that the numbers of these calls have decreased, though they are still seen as excessive. To Dr. Chaimowitz, the fact that the calls are continuing is indicative of Mr. Minardi not being where he needs to be in relation to his medication and understanding of his illness.
Dr. Chaimowitz was referred to the following report of Mr. Minardi’s statements to the psychologist during the recent risk assessment (p. 25, Risk Assessment Report) and was asked comment on Mr. Minardi’s insight, from this statement, into his own risk:
“Mr. Minardi was able to name all his medications, their purpose, and their doses in interview. He explained that, if he discontinued these medications ‘I would definitely go into full-blown mania, with disorganized thoughts, delusions, and auditory hallucinations. I’d probably be scary to be around… I’d be bothering people… [and] having thoughts that don’t make sense.’ He added that, if he were to use cannabis, ‘I’d have psychosis for sure. I’d be terrified. I’d be having thoughts that aren’t true, a hellish nightmare of things happening over and over again, possibly have a delusion and do something terrible – I did burn down a barn last time.’”
Dr. Chaimowitz acknowledged that on its face, this indicates a measure of insight but cautioned that this in and of itself is insufficient indication of how Mr. Minardi will continue to understand his risk.
Dr. Chaimowitz believed that a Detention Order is the necessary and appropriate Disposition at this time. If Mr. Minardi’s risk were to increase, it may be necessary to admit him to the Hospital. Indeed, he had considered, at one point, seeking a Detention Order and immediately exercising its authority to admit him. However, the situation with Mr. Minardi has improved and at last report, he was looking forward to working with the Hospital’s forensic team.
Dr. Chaimowitz was questioned about the process of engaging Mr. Minardi and his mother in a working relationship with the Hospital’s Forensic Outpatient Program over the next reporting year, given that Mr. Minardi has resided in the community since the index offence and there has thus been no opportunity for the Forensic Psychiatry Program to work with him as an inpatient. Dr. Chaimowitz stated that one of the first priorities would be to conduct a home visit, as Mr. Minardi anticipates continuing to live with his mother in Dundas. If the Board were to grant the privilege of living in approved accommodation, as recommended by the Hospital, approval of the home would be an immediate priority. In addition, Mr. Minardi’s appointments with the Forensic Outpatient Program would include home visits, though Dr. Chaimowitz anticipated that initially, the majority of appointments would take place at the Hospital.
Dr. Chaimowitz addressed the need for both Mr. Minardi and his mother, who provides good support for him, to receive education from the Outpatient Program about the forensic system as well as about Mr. Minardi’s underlying illness. In his experience, family members do initially have a lot of difficulty seeing their loved ones’ illnesses and risks. In the present case, Mr. Minardi and his family do not yet know that once the Board makes its Disposition, the Hospital’s forensic service would have the final day-to-day authority in relation to him.
Dr. Chaimowitz testified that he would like to see Mr. Minardi continue to work with the SOC, although he could not say whether this would in fact be the case. The SOC has the resources necessary to manage an illness such as Mr. Minardi’s, and he is already with that program. He opined that the forensic treatment team would do what it can to keep the SOC involved in his care.
In addition to wishing to see a continuing role for the SOC, Dr. Chaimowitz expressed several aspirational goals for Mr. Minardi’s progress, including getting his medication optimized to the point where Mr. Minardi became asymptomatic. He also wished to see: a commitment to abstinence from substance use; work towards increasing Mr. Minardi’s vocational skills; medication adherence; and becoming frank and forthright with his treatment team so that a therapeutic relationship is formed.
Dr. Chaimowitz was asked about the absence, from the recommendations in the Risk Assessment Report, of a proposal for a clause prohibiting the possession of incendiary devices. He agreed that such a prohibition would be appropriate. In final submissions, all parties agreed that such a term should be included in the Disposition.
Mr. Minardi’s mother read a prepared statement to the panel. She stated that her son did everything that a person in crisis is supposed to do, including asking for help. She stated that she also asked for help for him, but Mr. Minardi was turned away. She stated that the index offence occurred following weeks of untreated psychosis, which was terrifying to her. She said that her son finally received the correct medication while at CAMH. Asked to elaborate upon her allegation of being turned away from care, Ms. Minardi stated that this occurred at the Cleghorn Clinic, where she stated neither she nor her son were listened to. By way of contrast, Ms. Minardi was very complimentary about the SOC.
Ms. Minardi volunteered an explanation for her son’s numerous calls to COAST, stating that this happens when he does not get a call back after trying to call the SOC. She stated that Mr. Minardi has residual symptoms and seeks help from COAST when he gets very anxious or despairing.
Asked what her son needs to do at this time to remain well, Ms. Minardi replied that he is already doing it. In terms of supervising the taking of his oral medication, she said that she does not need to be watching him take it, and stated that, “He’s almost OCD that way.” She did state that Mr. Minardi tends to be shy or intimidated about advocating for himself and may need to gain confidence in this area.
No further evidence was led following the completion of the testimony of Dr. Chaimowitz and Ms. Minardi.
Analysis and Conclusions
Although the issue of whether Mr. Minardi represents a significant threat to the safety of the public was undisputed at the hearing, the panel makes that finding affirmatively on the evidence.
The panel is cognizant that Mr. Minardi does not have a lengthy history of physically harmful conduct in the community. However, while acutely unwell, he has expressed homicidal threats toward his mother and has voiced wanting to kill others, including a doctor. In October of 2023, while being assessed in hospital just two months after the index offence, he lunged at a staff member and was administered chemical restraints. The index offence was itself extremely serious, due to the risk of serious physical harm to the firefighters who were tasked with bringing the fire under control and ensuring that no civilians were endangered.
Mr. Minardi’s harmful and potentially harmful behaviour is related to his major mental illness, schizoaffective disorder, and to his substance use disorder. Specifically in relation to the index offence, the trial judge’s Reasons for Judgment include acceptance of Dr. Lee’s expert opinion that Mr. Minardi’s extensive substance use likely resulted in an intensification of his psychotic and mood symptoms at the time of the index offence.
The Risk Assessment Report details Mr. Minardi’s extensive history with the Cleghorn Clinic from 2020 to the time of the index offence in 2023, as well as his psychiatric admissions and, notably, his involvement with the SOC since his discharge from a hospital admission in late 2023. That history shows, at best, inconsistency in his adherence to prescribed antipsychotic medication, and at worst opposition and outright hostility toward some of the mental health professionals with whom he has been engaged. More recently, there has been some concern about the reduction in his long-acting injectable medication and some possible hypomanic symptoms. Of great concern, Mr. Minardi has continued to consume substances, including cannabis, crack cocaine, and alcohol, even while engaged with outpatient mental health services and despite health teaching concerning the negative impacts of substance abuse on his mental health.
Taken together, this evidence supports Dr. Chaimowitz’s expert opinion, expressed as follows in the Risk Assessment Report:
“Mr. Minardi will likely have another psychotic episode, either because of medication nonadherence, medication not working, or an unusual mental status accelerated by substance use. In addition, along with the concerns about medication adherence, there are concerns about the veracity of the information Mr. Minardi provides to us.
In the event of another psychotic episode, Mr. Minardi may very well act out violently in accordance with some of the delusional ideation (only recently contained). He also may very well act out by threatening people close to him or others. All being said, Mr. Minardi at this point in time, poses a significant threat to the safety of the public.”
Turning to the matter of Disposition, the panel accepted the parties’ joint submission that a Detention Order is the necessary and appropriate Disposition. Although Mr. Minardi has been out of custody since the index offence (aside from several brief and lengthier hospital admissions), the panel finds that a Conditional Discharge is currently insufficient for the purpose of managing the risk that Mr. Minardi presents. He remains symptomatic and it is unlikely that his psychiatric medications are optimized. His insight into his mental illness, need for treatment, the impact of his substance use, and risk to the public all appears underdeveloped, although his admission in regard to these matters as reported at p. 25 of the Risk Assessment Report provides a somewhat encouraging starting point.
Mr. Minardi clearly needs to abstain from non-prescribed substances and the Hospital must have the ability to test for the presence of such substances. However, a Conditional Discharge is not currently an adequate mechanism for enforcing such requirements, given Mr. Minardi’s history as an unreliable historian.
The panel notes, as well, the concerns expressed by Ms. Minardi in September of 2025 (quoted at para. 23 above). She noted Mr. Minardi’s ambivalence about seeking help (amply evidenced by his history), expressed that he was experiencing delusions at the time, and was concerned that he may require hospitalization. She also referenced his history of becoming unwell and potentially dangerous if he did not receive timely intervention. This underscores the need for the Hospital, particularly at this very early point in the forensic team’s relationship with Mr. Minardi, to have the ability to intervene quickly to manage any elevation in risk.
Finally, the panel is convinced that the Hospital must have the ability to approve Mr. Minardi’s accommodation. While he currently lives with his mother and has done so, apparently without incident, for some time, there was a period following the index offence when his mother would not permit that arrangement and Mr. Minardi’s pre-trial release was varied to permit him to live with his father. If Mr. Minardi’s living situation should become inappropriate in the future, the Hospital would need the ability to approve an alternate living situation.
Accordingly, having regard to the need to protect the public as the paramount consideration, and in consideration of Mr. Minardi’s mental condition, reintegration into the community, and his other needs, the panel concluded that the necessary and appropriate Disposition is a Detention Order containing the following privileges and conditions:
privileges up to and including community living in Southern Ontario in accommodation approved;
report not less than two times per month;
abstain absolutely from the non-medicinal use of alcohol or drugs or any other intoxicant;
submit samples of his urine and/or breath to the person in charge of the facility for the purpose of analyzing whether the accused has ingested alcohol, drugs, or any other intoxicant;
refrain from having in his possession any firearm, ammunition, or other offensive weapons, or being in the company of any person possessing a firearm other than a peace officer; and
refrain from having in his possession any incendiary device or materials.
- By way of concluding observations, the panel is cognizant that as of the hearing date, no representative of the Hospital had visited Mr. Minardi’s residence. The panel would therefore underscore the importance of undertaking the process of considering the residence for potential approval as soon as reasonably possible.
DATED this 2nd day of January 2026, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Eric Siebenmorgen
Legal Member
______________________________
Office of the Registrar
Ontario Review Board
Footnotes
- It is noted that this self-report appears inconsistent with his self-report to others that he continued to use cannabis while being followed by the Cleghorn Clinic.
- The Risk Assessment Report notes that Mr. Minardi has contacted COAST some 453 times between February 18, 2020 and January 1, 2024, and some 180 times since the NCR finding.