Re Jeffrey Schryver, 2026 CanLII 18263

Ontario Review Board

Re: Jeffrey Schryver

ORB File No: 5054

Hearing held on: Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Place of hearing: North Bay Regional Health Centre

Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code

Before:

Alternate Chairperson: Mr. P. Hageraats

Members: Dr. J. Watts Dr. G. Stones Ms. M. Chamberlain Ms. C. Plyley via video conference

Parties Appearing:

Accused: Jeffrey Schryver Counsel: Mr. D. Northcott

Person in charge of Hospital: Representative: Mr. R. Holden Counsel Mr. P. Trenker

Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Mr. L. Van Gorder

REASONS FOR DISPOSITION

(Dated February 23, 2026)

Introduction:

1. On March 26, 2008, Mr. Jeffrey Schryver was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (“NCR”) on a charge of dangerous operation of a motor vehicle, contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada.

2. Mr. Schryver is currently subject to a disposition of the Ontario Review Board (“ORB” or “the Board”), dated December 4, 2024, by which Mr. Schryver was ordered to be transferred to the North Bay Regional Health Centre – Forensic Programs (“NBRHC” or “the Hospital”). At the time, he was being detained at the Waypoint Centre for Mental Health - Brébeuf Programs (‘‘Brébeuf’’), in Penetanguishene, Ontario.

3. Mr. Schryver stayed at Brébeuf until September 3, 2025, when he was admitted to the NBRHC’s Deer Lodge – Forensic Assessment Unit. Mr. Schryver is still subject to a detention order. He was awarded privileges, including “to enter the community of the NBRHC, escorted by staff.”

4. On January 13, 2026, the Board convened at the NBRHC to conduct an annual review. Mr. Schryver was represented by counsel, Mr. David Northcott.

5. Mr. Schryver did not attend. An explanation was provided by Mr. Northcott and the Hospital representative: Mr. Schryver finds it difficult to attend before the Board and prefers not to do so. Mr. Northcott advised that he had spoken to Mr. Schryver on the day of the hearing, and on the previous day. Mr. Northcott expressed confidence in his client’s instructions. He asked the Board to proceed in Mr. Schryver’s absence. No objection was taken by each of counsel representing the Attorney General and the hospital. Accordingly, and as is permitted by section 672.5(10)(a) of The Criminal Code, the Board decided to proceed without Mr. Schryver’s presence.

6. A Hospital Report, dated November 19, 2025, was filed in evidence. The Board also received direct testimony from the patient’s attending forensic psychiatrist, Dr. Gillian Munro.

7. The issues for the hearing are whether Mr. Schryver presents a significant threat to the safety of the public, and, if so, to determine the disposition that is necessary and appropriate.

Positions of the Parties:

8. The Board received a joint submission. At the outset, Mr. Northcott advised that significant threat was not in dispute nor was the Hospital recommendation to have the current detention order maintained, with no change to the terms or conditions. This was confirmed by counsel appearing for the Hospital and the Attorney General.

9. For the reasons set out below, the Board adopted the joint submission.

Current Psychiatric Diagnoses, Hospital Report p. 99:

• Schizoaffective Disorder
• Substance Use Disorder, in sustained remission in a controlled environment

10. According to the hospital report, Mr. Schryver is treated with psychiatric medications, including:

• Clozapine 675mg daily (total daily dose)
• Haldol decanoate 200mg IM every four weeks
• Levetiracetam 750mg daily (total daily dose)
• Lithium 900mg daily (total daily dose)
• Methotrimeprazine 25mg twice daily
• Quetiapine XR 550mg (total daily dose)
• Topiramate 225mg (total daily dose)

11. Mr. Schryver is capable of making treatment decisions. He has been primarily medication compliant since his admission to the NBRHC.

Index Offence:

12. The circumstances are described in the Board’s recent Reasons for Disposition dated December 16, 2024, and in the Hospital Report. In summary:

On Tuesday, June 12, 2007, at approximately 13:00, victim #1, attended her garage. She noticed legs sticking out from the front of her vehicle. She backs her vehicle out of the garage to see who might be lying in front of the car. As she exits her vehicle and moves towards the person lying in her garage, the male stands up and walks past her. He gets in the vehicle which is still running. As the male reverses out of the driveway, she yells and bangs on the window begging him not to take the vehicle. The male then drives eastbound on Hugel Ave., Midland, in the stolen vehicle.

Police were called via 911 by a passerby who came to assist the victim.

The vehicle was then seen traveling east bound Dominion Ave behind a Ford minivan. It failed to stop at the intersection of Dominion and Russell. The vehicle then gained speed passing the vehicle on the right striking it and causing damage and causing damage to a vehicle parked on the side of Russell St. Across the street from the accident, three people were sitting at a picnic table on the grassy area next to the roadway in very close proximity to the van.

The stolen vehicle then travelled southbound on Russell St. while being followed by the Ford van, operated by victim #2. The vehicle failed to stop at the intersection of Russell and Hugel Ave. where there is a posted stop sign. The vehicle continued southbound on Russell St. The vehicle then turned west bound on Young St., Midland, gaining speed in excess of the posted limit of 50 km/hr. It was last seen stopped at the intersection of Yonge St. and Cty. Road 93.

At approximately 13:50 on June 12th, 2007, PC Conn of the Southern Georgian Bay detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police located the vehicle in the area of Balm Beach. He activated his emergency lights and the vehicle stopped. The lone male in the vehicle was arrested for possession of stolen property and returned to MPS. He would only identify himself as Blade.

PC Brown was able to identify the male as Mark Downer of no fixed address. (Mark Downer is an alias used by Mr. Schryver).

He is to be held for a bail hearing and a 30-day assessment with the Mental Health Centre.

Personal Background:

12. Mr. Schryver is 50. In his early teenage years, he was shy and experienced anxiety in social situations. He began refusing to go to school. This caused friction with his parents. In high school, he was truant at times. He dropped out of school at age 16 but later upgraded his education.

13. Mr. Schryver has reported first using alcohol at the age of 17 and cannabis at the age of 21. He has advised that cannabis use became problematic, to the point that he was not able to control its use. This led to feelings of depression and paranoia. At age 23, Mr. Schryver used cocaine about five times and ecstasy about 20 times.

14. The criminal record includes separate convictions for assault with a weapon, first in 2002, and later in 2004. The first conviction arose from an altercation with his girlfriend.

Psychiatric History

15. Mr. Schryver has a long history of mental illness. Diagnosed with anxiety at 16, he was later diagnosed, at 25, with schizophrenia. There were several psychiatric contacts including hospitalizations between 1999 and March 2007. That last month saw Mr. Schryver referred to the Mental Health Centre at the Penetanguishene Psychosocial Rehabilitation Program.

16. After being charged with the June 2007 index offence, Mr. Schryver was admitted to the Oakridge Division of the Mental Health Centre, Penetanguishene (now “Waypoint”). He remained there until May 2015 when he was discharged subject to conditions.

17. In November 2012, Mr. Schryver began to reside in the community. However, in 2017, he was readmitted to Waypoint. This was at his request after he had experienced voices telling him to harm himself and kill others. In January 2018, again at his request, he was re-admitted.

18. In May 2019, the ORB ordered by Mr. Schryver to be detained at the Brébeuf Program for Regional Forensics at Waypoint. He was granted the privilege of living in the community within Waypoint’s catchment area in supervised accommodation. Since then, Mr. Schryver has been subject to ORB detention dispositions.

Recent Course in Treatment

19. At last year’s annual Review Board hearing, held at Waypoint on December 2, 2024, Waypoint obtained an order transferring Mr. Schryver to North Bay. Earlier, on November 8, 2024, Mr. Schryver’s behaviours at Waypoint had escalated, leading to his engaging in an unprovoked attack on a female co-patient. Waypoint decided it was no longer safe for Mr. Schryver to remain on the minimum secure unit at Brébeuf. He entered seclusion on November 6, 2024, and remained there until the hearing date of December 2, 2024.

20. Mr. Schryver did not know the woman he attacked. She was, he later said, “the first person I saw.” He choked her.

21. Mr. Schryver later reported that his behaviour was not brought on by psychotic symptoms but was the result of his own anger at having to stay in the hospital for too long. Mr. Schryver was also experiencing daily auditory hallucinations which varied in quality and intensity over the course of the day.

22. Due to Mr. Schryver’s danger to others, he was moved into seclusion at Waypoint. Special safety arrangements were made, including use of a padded cell. He was engaging in self-injurious behaviours, including frequent and vigorous head banging.

23. At last year’s hearing, Waypoint’s attending psychiatrist, Dr. Jones, testified that Mr. Schryver’s major mental illness was treatment resistant. Mr. Schryver was described as experiencing distressing psychotic symptoms in the form of command auditory hallucinations or religious ideations. At the time he was preoccupied by internal stimuli, did not respond to attempts to engage him in conversation and tended to self-isolate in his room.

24. Several concerning incidents from October 2024 are set out in the Board’s recent Reasons, dated December 16, 2024. These include self-harm by banging his head on the wall. Mr. Schryver would swing his fists at hospital staff. At times, he would require a protective helmet to minimize self-harm, along with physical redirection by staff to stop his behaviour and to successfully direct him back to his safe room.

25. Mr. Schryver was described as having some insight into his major mental illness and his need for medications. While trying to follow the treatment plan, Mr. Schryver’s response to medications was only marginally effective. While willing to participate in a behavioural plan, Mr. Schryver struggled to apply it with consistency.

26. Mr. Schryver has family members in the Collingwood area. He would have sporadic phone contact with his father who, at times, would help by sending money. Mr. Schryver appeared to have no other social contacts or supports. For his part, Mr. Schryver showed no interest in having visits with family members.

Course in Treatment, December 2024 to January 2026:

27. As noted, Mr. Schryver arrived at the NBRHC in September 2025. He was placed on an enhanced observation level due to ongoing risks associated with self-harm, psychosis, and unprovoked and unpredictable aggression. The updated Hospital Report notes that his presentation has fluctuated but remains dominated by active psychotic symptoms. Ongoing auditory hallucinations continue which, at times, are intrusive and influence his mood and behaviour. Symptoms include responding to internal stimuli with yelling, threatening language, punching, or kicking walls, and episodes of head banging.

28. These behaviours disproportionately see him target female staff who are often the subject of his persecutory delusions. Mr. Schryver is more cooperative with male staff. Despite such challenges, Mr. Schryver is said to retain some ability to acknowledge the role of hallucinations in his behaviour following difficult episodes.

29. Mr. Schryver demonstrates partial and fluctuating awareness of his psychiatric illness. He remains willing to take prescribed medications. He accepts adjustments when recommended, although, at times, with reluctance. At times, he cooperates with safety planning, including donning protective head gear before engaging in head banging behaviour.

30. His current risk of aggression remains elevated. Ongoing active psychosis, limited coping skills and a documented tendency to respond to internal stimuli with sudden unprovoked aggression, are the main items driving his current risk level.

31. Overall, Mr. Schryver remains a complex, high-needs patient. Continuous monitoring, behavioural support strategies, and ongoing medication optimization are required. The Hospital Report lists several notable incidents where Mr. Schryver engaged in aggressive incidents of serious concern (pp. 100-102).

32. More positively, Mr. Schryver does participate in programs on the unit, including recreational therapy. He has met with the behavioural analyst for initial assessment. At their first meeting, he was pleasant and cooperative. A behavioural care plan is being developed. Occupational therapy has had limited involvement while further information is being gathered, including reports from Waypoint.

Evidence at the Hearing:

33. The Board also received direct testimony from the current attending psychiatrist, Dr. Gillian Munro. By way of update, Dr. Munro described some positive changes. To augment Mr. Schryver’s antipsychotic medication, Clozapine, a new medication, Fluvoxamine, has been added. Fluvoxamine increases the Clozapine blood level, without requiring any increase to the Clozapine dosage.

34. Following the medication change, Mr. Schryer’s mental health and behaviours have improved. Since November 14, 2025, he has not had any code whites. He no longer requires seclusion in his room or segregation to his room.

35. On December 12, 2025, Mr. Schryver obtained limited hospital and grounds privileges. He has been using them appropriately. There has been marked improvement to his general behaviour. Mr. Schryver is showing a significant positive change in contrast to the previous incidents of physical and emotional outbursts. Verbal aggression has declined, as have self-injurious behaviours.

36. Compared to his presentation at Waypoint, Mr. Schryver is showing marked improvement. Before leaving Waypoint, he was sequestered to his room for most of the day and was only allowed out with staff. He now has access to the hospital, with staff. Mr. Schryver is becoming motivated to attend the “Snack Shack,” where patients can purchase affordable food items. Two staff members accompany him at certain times of the day when the area is relatively clear of other patients. Mr. Schryver has also enjoyed four or five trips to the hospital’s “Town Square.” He seems to enjoy the environment there, where arcade games are available.

37. Mr. Schryver shows only limited involvement regarding available on-unit programs. He does not express much interest and prefers to spend most of the time in his room. The formal care plan permits hospital staff to lock his room door from the outside should the need arise. For the past month, staff have not needed to lock his door.

38. Counsel for Mr. Schryver asked Dr. Munro whether the Hospital plans to keep him on Deer Lodge. Dr. Munro explained they are exploring a possible transfer to the rehabilitation unit should Mr. Schryver’s behaviour continue to improve. The treatment team needs to move slowly as Mr. Schryver can be easily overwhelmed by stimuli. Patients on the rehabilitation unit are exposed to a noisier environment and are in greater contact with each other. Before any such a transfer, the Hospital would also need to do extensive renovations to Mr. Schryver’s new room, like the renovations which they had earlier made to his existing room.

39. Asked about family contact, Dr. Munro advised that Mr. Schryver’s father spoke with the hospital social worker to receive an update. This was done with Mr. Schryver’s permission. He chose not to speak to his father but did accept his father’s phone number.

40. Asked if Mr. Schryver is open with staff, Dr. Munro testified, this is variable. At times, he will approach staff about certain symptoms and his need for PRN (as needed) medication. At other times he has not made reports but instead will engage in unpredictable behaviours.

41. Dr. Munro described Mr. Schryver as still being in early days while he is starting to settle in. He has no connection to the North Bay area but is enjoying more freedom than before, compared to his previous situation at Waypoint. Dr. Munro would like to see Mr. Schryver become more comfortable sharing information with the Hospital. Historically, he has been reluctant to do so or to have focussed discussions about his mental status.

42. Responding to a Board member’s questions, Dr. Munro advised that the Aggressive Incident Scale (AIS) is routinely scored to document Mr. Schryver’s ongoing mental status. Dr. Munro confirmed that starting in November 2025, Mr. Schryver’s AIS scores began to decline, and he had none in the past month.

43. The parties presented no further evidence.

Submissions of the Parties:

44. Each of the three counsel appearing confirmed their joint submission, recommending continuation of the existing detention order, without change.

Conclusions and Disposition:

45. Based on the evidence, and supported by the appropriate joint submission, the Board concluded that Mr. Jeffrey Schryver continues to present a significant threat to the safety of the public. Mr. Schryver suffers from a longstanding severe mental disorder, schizoaffective disorder. This is linked to a longstanding history of unpredictable violence and aggression towards others, and, at times, more so to females. His condition is of such severity that he still requires ongoing hospitalization in a secure forensic setting.

46. It is to Mr. Schryver’s credit that he possesses some insight and awareness into the nature of his illness and his need for medication. He continues to cooperate with his treating psychiatrist and hospital staff. Again, to his credit, there has been marked overall improvement since November 2025.

47. While Mr. Schryver has not yet attained a level of stabilization that would see him move to a less restrictive unit within the hospital, it appears he is progressing in that direction. Much will depend on how the illness responds to ongoing treatment and the extent to which periods of seclusion may become necessary.

48. It is hoped that Mr. Schryver will get to the point where he is able to participate more actively in fuller conversations with his treatment team. They are available to provide him with professional mental health care, including vocational and occupational therapy. As Mr. Schryver progresses, there is hope he will be able to advance to the point of enjoying a higher degree of liberty and autonomy within the hospital.

49. For these reasons, considering the primary protection of the public, while balancing Mr. Schryver’s mental condition, his reintegration and other needs, a renewed detention order will issue on the same terms and conditions.

50. We thank the parties and counsel for their assistance.

DATED this 23rd day of February 2026 at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.

Mr. P. Hageraats

Alternate Chairperson

__________________

Office of the Registrar

Ontario Review Board