Re: Wei Wang
ORB File No: 4675
Hearing held on: February 12, 2026
Place of hearing: Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences 700 Gordon Street, Whitby
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. J. Weinstein
Members: Dr. P. Darby Dr. L. Lightfoot Ms. C. Murray Mr. A. Mete
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Wei Wang Counsel: Ms. J. Boissonneault
Person in Charge of Hospital: Counsel: Ms. J. Szabo
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. N. MacDonald
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated February 23, 2026)
Introduction
On January 11, 2007, Mr. Wei Wang was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (“NCR”) on a charge of assault causing bodily harm, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (the “Criminal Code”).
On February 12, 2026, a panel of the Ontario Review Board (“Board” or “panel”) convened to review Mr. Wang’s current Disposition pursuant to s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code. At the time of the hearing, Mr. Wang was subject to a Detention Disposition at the Secure Forensic Unit of Ontario Shores Centre for Mental Health Sciences (“Ontario Shores” or “the hospital”) with the discretion of the person in charge to transfer Mr. Wang to a General Forensic Unit of Ontario Shores should Mr. Wang’s condition clinically improve to the point of justifying such transfer. His Disposition provided privileges up to and including entering the community within a 150-kilometer radius of Ontario Shores accompanied by staff or a person approved by the person in charge.
Mr. Wang was present at the hearing and was represented by legal counsel, Ms. Jocelyne Boissonneault. Although it was anticipated that a Mandarin interpreter would be present for the hearing, no interpreter was in attendance. Ms. Boissonneault advised that Mr. Wang wished to proceed with the hearing, despite the absence of an interpreter, given that a joint position was expected. However, she requested that Mr. Wang’s decision not prejudice his right to an interpreter at future hearings. The alternate chairperson acknowledged this request.
A Hospital Report dated January 9, 2026, was entered as Exhibit 1.
The issues to be determined were whether Mr. Wang continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public, and if so, what Disposition is necessary and appropriate Disposition to manage his risk having regard to the criteria in s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code.
For the reasons set out below and based on the evidence and opinions before us, the Board finds that Mr. Wang continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public. The Board concludes that a continuation of the Detention Disposition, with no changes, as set out in our formal Disposition, is necessary and appropriate, having regard to the safety of the public, which is the paramount concern, and also having regard to Mr. Wang’s mental health, reintegration into society, and his other needs.
Current Psychiatric Diagnoses
- Schizophrenia; and
Cannabis Use Disorder
Position of the Parties
At the commencement of the hearing, the parties were canvassed for their without prejudice positions. The hospital, represented by Ms. Szabo, submitted that Mr. Wang continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and the necessary and appropriate Disposition is a continuation of the Detention Order with no changes.
Counsel for the Attorney General, Ms. MacDonald, supported the hospital’s position.
Ms. Boissonneault, Counsel for Mr. Wang, conceded the issue of significant threat and supported the hospital’s recommendations. The parties acknowledged a joint recommendation with respect to the issues at this hearing.
Index Offence
- The Hospital Report contains a detailed description of the index offence, extracted as follows:
“According to police records, Mr. Wang kicked the victim twice in the back in the kidney area causing the victim severe pain. This attack was quick and without warning. Injuries to the victim included bruising to lower back/kidney area, and blood in urine. The victim was a Registered Nurse at the Scarborough Grace Hospital. Mr. Wang had been arrested under the Mental Health Act and had been held on a Form 3, issued on October 27th, 2006. The accused has a long history of Mental Health issues and (has) been apprehended numerous times under the Mental Health Act. Mr. Wang was released from the hospital into police custody on November 17, 2006. At the time of the Index Offence, Mr. Wang was already the subject of a Probation Order, having been convicted of Assault with a Weapon in July 2006.”
Background and History
The Hospital Report contains extensive information regarding Mr. Wang’s background and history. A brief summary is provided below.
Mr. Wang is a 42-year-old single man born in Shanghai, China. He immigrated to Canada at age 12. He has a grade 9 education. He has never been employed.
Mr. Wang has a criminal history commencing in 2000, including convictions for assault with a weapon (x2), and assault (x5).
Mr. Wang has an extensive history of psychiatric admissions to hospitals. His first admission occurred at The Scarborough Hospital from April 25 to June 18, 2003. He was admitted on a Form 1 of the Mental Health Act (“MHA”). He was transferred, on a Form 4 of the MHA, to the assessment and stabilization unit at Whitby Mental Health Centre from June 18 to June 26, 2003. At the time of discharge, he was no longer certifiable and was discharged against medical advice. Mr. Wang went on to have several other psychiatric admissions to hospitals often exhibiting psychotic symptoms such as responding to internal stimuli, disorganization and aggression. Non-compliance with psychiatric medications and substance use were noted in past admissions. The discharge diagnosis from most admissions was schizophrenia.
The Outpatient Mental Health Program followed Mr. Wang in the community in 2004. He received Zyprexa and a depot injection every two weeks. Mr. Wang improved on this medication regimen. He returned to China for almost a year, and ultimately experienced decompensation of his mental state. He returned to Canada and was readmitted to The Scarborough Hospital. It was not known whether he continued his depot injections in China; his father reported that Mr. Wang struggled to remain adherent with his oral medications.
From June 26 to July 24, 2006, Mr. Wang was admitted to Whitby Mental Health Centre on a Form 48 assessment regarding criminal responsibility. Mr. Wang had been charged with Assault, Weapons Dangerous, Assault with a Weapon, Forcible Confinement, Assault Causing Bodily Harm, Threaten Death, and Robbery. Dr. Karen DeFreitas opined that Mr. Wang was criminally responsible for the index offences. She diagnosed him with Schizophrenia and Cannabis Abuse and possible dependence, and Antisocial Personality Traits. His medication on discharge was Olanzapine, and he was to be followed up by the Hong Fook Mental Health Association.
Mr. Wang admits to having a history of daily cannabis use. In 2006, staff at his group home reported that Mr. Wang had been using significant amounts of cocaine. In 2006, Mr. Wang’s father reported that Mr. Wang was using ecstasy and ketamine.
Mr. Wang is capable of making treatment decisions.
Mr. Wang does not have an Approved Person. He maintains a relationship with his mother.
Over the past year, Mr. Wang has remained medication compliant but continues to exhibit disorganized thinking, poor frustration tolerance, and impulsivity.
A cognitive assessment conducted this past year concluded that Mr. Wang’s functioning is consistent with Mild Grade Intellectual Disability, though the ultimate diagnosis is Unspecified Intellectual Disability due to confounding factors. In her oral evidence, Dr. Harrigan confirmed that this diagnosis will be added to the list of diagnoses in the Hospital Report.
Mr. Wang has used his accompanied community and hospital grounds privileges without significant issues this past year.
Because Mr. Wang continues to reside in a Secure Unit, housing was not explored in-depth this past year. There were no housing assessments or housing referrals completed during the reporting year.
Oral Evidence at the Hearing
Dr. Clare Harrigan, Mr. Wang’s attending psychiatrist and signatory of the Hospital Report, testified at the hearing.
Dr. Harrigan testified that Mr. Wang consented to the submission of his cognitive assessment to Developmental Services Ontario (“DSO”). DSO will determine Mr. Wang’s eligibility for further funding for specialized support services.
Dr. Harrigan confirmed that Mr. Wang has used his accompanied hospital and grounds privileges appropriately this year. In order to assess his suitability for indirectly supervised hospital and grounds privileges, the staff currently remain at a distance when they accompany Mr. Wang on hospital and grounds walks. Mr. Wang reminds staff when it is time for him to go back to the hospital at the end of his scheduled time. Dr. Harrigan stated that the treatment team will gradually introduce indirectly supervised privileges from the Secure Unit. This will allow the treatment team to determine if Mr. Wang is suitable to move to a General Unit.
Mr. Wang’s symptoms of schizophrenia are under control on the current medication regimen. Dr. Harrigan has no plans to adjust Mr. Wang’s medications in the coming year.
Dr. Harrigan opined that Mr. Wang’s risk for future violence, in the context of residing on a General Unit, is likely low to moderate.
Dr. Harrigan testified that the diagnosis of Cannabis Use Disorder should be amended to “Cannabis Use Disorder in Remission in a Controlled Environment”.
Dr. Harrigan stated that Mr. Wang agrees with his diagnosis of schizophrenia and acknowledges that medication benefits him. Notably, Dr. Harrigan testified that, in the context of a discussion about increasing his privileges, Mr. Wang recently asked her, “Do you think I should take more medication to be more safe?”
Dr. Harrigan stated that Mr. Wang’s insight into cannabis use remains poor. Dr. Harrigan testified that cannabis use would likely cause rapid decompensation of his mental state including increased disorganization of thought and loss of insight into his illnesses and need for medications. This would increase Mr. Wang’s risk of impulsive violence.
All parties confirmed the joint position in their submissions.
Analysis and Conclusions
Having considered all the evidence and joint submissions, the Board independently finds that Mr. Wang remains a significant threat to the safety of the public.
Mr. Wang has a longstanding history of schizophrenia. He also carries a diagnosis of Cannabis Use Disorder. Mr. Wang continues to exhibit poor frustration tolerance and irritability which, at times, have contributed to verbal aggression towards staff and other patients.
Mr. Wang’s insight into cannabis use remains underdeveloped.
The Board finds that absent supervision of the treatment team, Mr. Wang would likely engage in substance use, discontinue his medication, and become violent in a manner similar to the index offence.
Mr. Wang therefore requires a Detention Disposition to manage his risk to the safety of the public. A Detention Disposition will ensure the necessary monitoring, supervision and support to manage his risk. He continues to reside in a Secure Forensic Unit. The treatment team is appropriately gradually increasing privileges from the Secure Unit with a view towards moving him to a General Forensic Unit. Transfer to a General Forensic Unit will be a slow and cautious process given Mr. Wang’s background of violence within hospital settings.
The panel commends Mr. Wang for working well with his treatment team and we encourage him to continue doing so. We wish the best for Mr. Wang in the coming year.
Upon consideration of all the evidence, the joint submissions of the parties, and the criteria set forth in s.672.54 with the paramount consideration being the safety of the public, in addition to the mental condition of Mr. Wang, his reintegration into society and his other needs, we conclude that the necessary and appropriate, least onerous and least restrictive Disposition is a Detention Disposition, with no changes, as set out in our formal Disposition.
DATED this 23rd day of February 2026, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Ms. C. Murray Legal Member Office of the Registrar Ontario Review Board