Ontario Review Board
Re: Sonni Teal
ORB File No: 8884
Hearing held on: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Place of Hearing: Providence Care Hospital
Pursuant to: Section 672.47(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. J. Hanbidge
Members: Dr. R. Kunjukrishnan
Dr. W. Loza
Ms. K. Weisbaum
Mr. A. Bouvier
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Sonni Teal
Counsel: Mr. M. Rodé
Person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Ms. T. Tom
Representative: Dr. M. Chan
Attorney-General of Ontario: Counsel: Mr. G. Skerkowski
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated February 20, 2026)
Introduction
On October 16, 2025, the accused, Sonni Teal, was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder on a charge of arson damage to property, all contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (“Criminal Code”). At the time of the finding of not criminally responsible (“NCR”), the Court issued a Detention Order Disposition.
On January 20, 2026, the Ontario Review Board (the “Board”) convened at the Providence Care Hospital, hereinafter referred to as “the hospital”, to conduct Mr. Teal’s initial hearing before the Board pursuant to s. 672.47(1) of the Criminal Code. Mr. Teal was in attendance at his hearing and was represented by his counsel Mr. Michael Rodé.
The following documents were entered as Exhibits at the hearing:
Criminal Code Information
Disposition Hearing Outcome Report, dated October 16, 2025
Warrant of Committal
Agreed Statement of Fact
NCR Assessment Report, dated October 8, 2025.
Hospital Report, dated December 19, 2025
Initial Positions of the Parties
Ms. T. Tom stated that the hospital’s position is the same as presented in the Hospital Report starting at page 16, specifically that Mr. Teal continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and that the hospital seeks a continued Detention Order Disposition with the terms and conditions as listed at page 17 of the Hospital Report.
Mr. G. Skerkowski agreed with the position taken by the hospital.
Mr. M. Rodé stated that, on behalf of Mr. Teal, he was not disputing the issue of significant threat to the safety of the public, or the request for a Detention Order Disposition. With respect to the conditions of the Detention Order, he anticipated providing comments during the hearing.
Index Offences
- The circumstances giving rise to the charges on the index offences is set out in the Hospital Report and summarized as follows:
“"Sonni Teal, the accused in this matter, is currently 33 years of age, unemployed, and temporarily residing with his mother and brother at a rented residence situated at 1100 Clement Road, Sharbot Lake, Ontario. The residence is owned by Mimi ANTOINE.
On June 16, 2025, Mr. Teal was found acting erratically and setting multiple small brush fires along Highway 7 in the Township of Central Frontenac. Mr. Teal reported to responding officers that he was setting fires to erst the world in relation to ticks and that he was looking for some excitement in his life, in addition to other irrational utterances. Sonni Teal was subsequently apprehended under the Mental Health Act and transported to Perth District Hospital for assessment.
On June 26, 2025, at approximately 14:00hrs., Mr. Teal was located by his mother, setting a bag of clothing on the roadway in front of their residence. The fires was extinguished by Sonni Teal's mother.
Synopsis:
On June 26, 2025, at approximately 16:47 hrs., a neighbour of Sonni TEAL, Donna-Lynn Longmire, observed smoke emanating from the residence of 1100 Clement Road, Sharbot Lake. Mr. Teal was observed stumbling out of the residence in an apparent intoxicated state. When Ms. Longmire attempted to ascertain what had occurred, Sonni TEAL was speaking incoherently. Ms. Longmire subsequently contacted 911 to report the fire.
Upon attendance by the Central Frontenac Fire Department, fire suppression efforts were initiated. At this time, Sonni TEAL re-attended the location and attempted to enter the residence in order retrieve his lighter. Mr. Teal had to be physically restrained by the responding Fire personnel, and later his brother who had returned to the scene along with their mother. As his brother retrained him and uttered that it was all his fault, Sonni TEAL replied "you're welcome."
As a result of the fire, the residence was completely destroyed. Sonni TEAL was subsequently transported to the Perth District Hospital as a precaution, where he was later admitted on a Mental Health Act Form 1 at Brockville Hospital."
Background History
Mr. Sonni Teal is a poor historian, likely due to the brain injury he sustained in a car accident in 2018. Mr. Teal reports having a fairly typical upbringing. As far as he recalls, he hit all of his milestones on time without issues. His grandfather, Larry, stated that Mr. Teal was a "very bright kid who made friends easily." Mr. Teal has two children, one of whom is a daughter who is fourteen and lives with her mother, and a son who is four who lives with his mother. The mother of the four-year-old son is currently seeking full custody, which is a separate ongoing legal matter. Mr. Teal’s father died of an aneurism; his mother is alive and has been a historical support for Mr. Teal. However, after the fire at her home, their relationship was strained. Mr. Teal reports that they are reestablishing their relationship via phone calls since he became hospitalized. Prior to being found NCR, Mr. Teal had been living independently until the months prior to his arrest; he had become increasingly paranoid and was transitioning to new accommodations at the time of the offence.
Mr. Teal has a history of recreational cannabis and alcohol use. He more recently developed a significant cocaine use issue dating back approximately six months before his arrest. Mr. Teal had a neighbor who would sell him cocaine, which, according to Mr. Teal, would occur once or twice a week; he spent $300 at a time, totaling approximately $2000 per week. Mr. Teal has identified the need to abstain from illicit drug use going forward. He will also have access to substance abuse counselling and Smart Recovery groups while in hospital.
Mr. Teal completed high school as what he describes as an "average student". He then went on to work on an apprenticeship installing insulation with a contractor for a few years. As a result of his accident in 2018, he was not able to complete the internship.
Following his accident in 2018, Mr. Teal was awarded a financial settlement. He has been utilizing those funds to support himself, as he has been unable to work. Mr. Teal also receives ODSP, however, that is strictly for benefits coverage. He does not receive any monthly funding.
Criminal History
- The hearing documents did not contain information pertaining to any past offences.
Psychiatric History
Mr. Teal sustained his severe brain injury in 2018, the extent of which was especially severe, producing chronic memory impairment and a major neurocognitive disorder as the result.
In March 2025, Mr. Teal began using cocaine. He also used cannabis. In the Hospital Report, Dr. Chan notes that around that same time, Mr. Teal's mental state began to deteriorate, with Mr. Teal exhibiting psychotic symptoms, including hearing voices and believing people were trying to steal money from his bank account. He used cocaine and cannabis in the week prior to the index offence. Upon admission following the index event, psychiatrists at the Brockville General Hospital documented his psychotic state. He was then repatriated to the Kingston General Hospital where he was admitted for two weeks.
The psychiatrists in Kingston emphasized a stimulant psychosis in the onset of Mr. Teal’s presentation. He was expressing strange thinking that he wanted to save his mother and himself by freeing her and cleansing the earth and their souls with fire. This was noted in the inpatient record. Mr. Teal could not provide any of this information during his forensic assessment admission and was drawing a blank related to amnesia.
Mr. Teal spent about two months being assessed, with Dr. Chan subsequently offering the NCR opinion in mid-October 2025. Mr. Teal was found NCR on October 16, 2025, with an initial Disposition being made which included staff accompanied privileges on hospital property.
There was no testing for sodium levels at the time of his arrest to verify if he was hyponatremic (as he suffers from “Salt-wasting Syndrome.”).
At his Kingston General Hospital admission, Mr. Teal was started on antipsychotics and settled rapidly. The antipsychotics that have remained unchanged from admission were risperidone 3mg daily in two doses, and quetiapine 50mg at bedtime. He also continued his sodium 2g twice daily. He has remained free of psychotic symptoms from the time he was admitted for assessment on August 19, 2025.
He has demonstrated no behavioral struggles and gets along well with everyone.
Dr. Chan’s formulation of the diagnosis was not simply stimulant psychosis, which would not qualify for a finding of NCR, but rather a psychotic presentation as a result of his severe brain injury, exacerbated by his stimulant misuse and possible hyponatremia.
Current Diagnoses
- Mr. Teal’s current diagnoses are:
Psychosis secondary to severe traumatic brain injury (in remission)
Stimulant/cannabis misuse (in remission)
Cerebral salt wasting syndrome
Major neurocognitive disorder
Evidence at the Hearing
The hospital’s evidence was presented through the Hospital Report, as well as through the oral testimony of Dr. Chan. This evidence is summarized below.
In response to questions from Ms. Tom, Dr. Chan confirmed that he is the author of the Hospital Report and adopted its contents. He was involved in the assessment of Mr. Teal last summer and has been his treating psychiatrist since Mr. Teal’s NCR outcome in mid-October 2025.
With respect to Mr. Teal’s diagnosis, Dr. Chan stated that he acknowledges the severe negative impacts of Mr. Teal’s past accident in 2018 and resulting brain injury. Mr. Teal was psychotic at the time of the index offence in late June at his mother’s residence in Sharbot Lake; his brain injury was also a factor (he has cognitive issues), as was his use of cocaine in the summer of 2025. Mr. Teal also has a condition called “Salt-wasting Syndrome” and can experience further complications if his salt intake is insufficient.
Mr. Teal’s psychotic state at the time of the index offence was well documented by fire fighters on site. He tried to go back into the burning building. He was admitted to the Kingston General hospital and staff there did a good job of documenting Mr. Teal’s thinking at that time. They also got him started on antipsychotic medication. Using substances pushed him over the edge. His psychotic state was the basis for the behaviour.
Given his brain injury and that its impacts are permanent, his impairments are also permanent, and his brain is vulnerable. He needs to do everything possible to protect his brain. His difficulties include memory problems. Nevertheless, he has not had any problems with social functioning, or issues at the hospital so far, and he gets along with everyone on the unit.
When asked by Ms. Tom, Dr. Chan confirmed that Mr. Teal is vulnerable to psychoses because of his brain injury. Substance use can trigger a psychosis. It is a bigger worry because of his injury. There was an incident around a time when he forgot to take his medication for a few days. He was not tested regarding his sodium levels, but salt-wasting was still a possible factor. Also, any sort of psycho-social stressor could push him towards psychosis.
With respect to Dr. R. Douglas’ Psychological Risk Assessment Report, Dr. Chan agreed with Dr. Douglas insofar as there was insufficient information available at the time of her assessment for Dr. Douglas to estimate Mr. Teal’s risk.
Since his NCR outcome, there have been some outstanding legal issues that have come to light related to allegations made by Mr. Teal’s past partner and his daughter; Mr. Teal denied to Dr. Chan that there have been any problems/legal issues. Dr. Chan believed that there remain allegations and that some are of those are moving forward. These issues create doubts about Mr. Teal’s social functioning and judgment from the past, which has some impact on his treatment. According to Dr. Chan, efforts need to be made to protect him from some sorts of social situations that might be problematic.
Shortly after his accident and brain injury, Mr. Teal was cared for in Ottawa and transferred one month later to Kingston, where he became involved with the hospital for his brain injury through the brain injury inpatient unit, including occupational therapy supports. Over time, his community supports dwindled. He was not receiving any supports around the time of the index offence. He was still being seen by the brain injury clinic, which checked in routinely with Mr. Teal. He had been using cocaine and was struggling. He lost his smart phone, which was his organizer and helped him stay on track with things like medication adherence. That might have pushed him towards being disorganized. Cocaine use moved him closer to psychosis. He was struggling just prior to the index offence in late June.
The brain injury group at the hospital will continue to work with Mr. Teal over the next year. He will require a considerable amount of support whenever he moves towards living in the community in the future.
The hospital is not seeking a community living clause. Before the hospital would consider seeking a community living clause, it would be looking at Mr. Teal’s social functioning. Currently, Mr. Teal appears to be functioning day-to-day on the unit, which is very protected. He would need supports if not on the unit (i.e., if he was out in the public on his own). The team will also need to focus on occupational therapy for Mr. Teal, as well as issues related to risk.
Another risk factor for Mr. Teal is substance use. His historical use of substances includes cannabis. In the past, someone offered him cocaine and he tried it. He came to spend large amounts of money on it. The team needs to get a better handle on that and has the resources needed to explore this issue. Mr. Teal also needs to engage more with the team on this issue
also.Mr. Teal’s main support is his maternal grandfather, who lives in Verona and visits him regularly. Mr. Teal is distant from his mother and brother; it was their home that was damaged and Dr. Chan suspects there are related tensions in those relationships. Mr. Teal is in contact with his mother, but she has not been to see him. The team will work regularly with his grandfather to ensure their understanding of Mr. Teal, as well as his grandfather being able to understand the team’s concerns. His grandfather was in contact with him in the months prior to the index offence.
Before the index offence, Mr. Teal had a prior fire setting incident on the side of a road. Mr. Teal has not been able to tell Dr. Chan very much about that incident. It goes back about six months. He may have been grilling hotdogs. His family has not been able to provide information about the incident, but to be fair, it has not yet been discussed. The incident needs to be considered further, as it may indicate some propensity for setting fires.
With respect to page 17 of the Hospital Report, and the conditions that the hospital is seeking in a Disposition, Mr. Teal’s current Disposition and terms of supervision were set by the Court. Mr. Teal has used all of his court granted privileges. There have been no concerns about any of these. The hospital is seeking a Detention Order Disposition with more privileges, except for a community living clause, but including passes to enter the community while supervised. His next level of privileges will include being in the community with staff, then to enter the grounds of the hospital indirectly supervised. His team conference on extending these privileges will happen within a few weeks following the hearing.
In response to questions from Mr. Skerkowski, Dr. Chan stated that he believed that Mr. Teal has outstanding Criminal Code charges that are currently before the courts; his source for that information is Mr. Teal, but otherwise, the hospital has not received any other details. Dr. Chan believed that the outstanding charges predate Mr. Teal’s brain injury. When asked by Mr. Skerkowski, Dr. Chan agreed that the outstanding charges may also constitute psycho-social stressors that could contribute to psychosis. If Mr. Teal is required to make a court appearance, the hospital will support him. Mr. Teal might also be, or might have been, involved in past legal processes in relation to a custody issue.
In response to questions from Mr. Rodé, Dr. Chan stated that the social services department at the hospital had attempted to reach out to Mr. Teal’s mother and brother but had not been successful in connecting with them to date. It is possible that contact has been made, but it would have happened very recently. The team also plans to approach Mr. Teal’s grandfather to become his “approved person”, and to assist with travel for Mr. Teal. Currently, there is no social worker at the hospital, but the team hopes this will change soon.
In the Hospital Report, the hospital has requested a term in the Detention Order Disposition to allow for Mr. Teal to travel within a 50-kilometre radius of the hospital, specifically to be able to visit his grandfather. Dr. Chan would have no objection to increasing that distance to 75 kilometres to encompass Sharbot Lake, should his mother agree to visits with Mr. Teal. It was Dr. Chan’s understanding that the hospital could still approve Mr. Teal’s itinerary, including any distance within a 75-kilometre maximum, as part of a cascade of privileges. Similarly, granted that the hospital has final discretion, Dr. Chan had no objection to increasing the maximum time for Mr. Teal to be away from the hospital from 72 hours to up to seven days.
Mr. Rodé stated that he had the instruction of Mr. Teal to disclose details about ongoing matters before the courts, if that would be helpful to the hospital. Dr. Chan agreed it would be helpful to receive that information following the hearing.
In response to questions from panel members, Dr. Chan stated that he did not know if Mr. Teal had previously participated in programs related to substance use. If Mr. Teal is going out into the community, he will have access to substances. The team will need to consider and manage that issue. Dr. Chan stated that he is not yet sure what information will inform Mr. Teal’s progression of privileges.
With respect to whether the condition for travel away from the hospital should have a radius of 50 kilometres or 75 kilometres, Dr. Chan believed that the hospital would be able to apply its discretion in setting a travel distance included in any particular pass within the maximum distance in the Detention Order Disposition, depending on Mr. Teal’s abilities at the time of a pass being issued.
With respect to the outcomes of Mr. Teal’s brain injury, Dr. Chan did not foresee that there would be any dramatic changes over time. With respect to describing Mr. Teal’s psychiatric diagnosis, the phrase “organic psychosis” would be the older language to describe it.
Mr. Teal is capable with respect to both treatment and managing property. He has also been to a local bank to investigate the possible consequences of taxes on the settlement he received related to his injury.
Dr. Chan did not know any further details related to the roadside fire incident.
Mr. Teal has a prosthesis, which he uses as needed at his discretion.
No further evidence was presented.
Submissions
Ms. Tom submitted that Mr. Teal represents a significant threat to the safety of the public and that the appropriate Disposition is a Detention Order. This is the joint position of all parties. It is supported by the evidence both in the Hospital Report and the oral evidence of Dr. Chan. The remaining differences are about the scope of specific conditions.
The hospital’s position is that travel within a radius of 50 kilometres is sufficient, whereas counsel for Mr. Teal seeks a radius of 75 kilometres. The additional 25 kilometres would encompass the locations of Mr. Teal’s mother and brother. Since the index offence, the brother has chosen not to have contact with Mr. Teal, and his mother has not responded to attempts by the hospital over several months to contact her. A 50 kilometre radius will allow Mr. Teal to visit his grandfather. The hospital needs to get to know Mr. Teal better before issuing a condition such that he can be away from the hospital for more than 72 hours. At this time, the need for up to seven days absence is only speculative.
Mr. Teal’s criminal conduct predated his brain injury. The hospital still does not fully understand the context of his injury, his grandfather’s understanding of Mr. Teal’s needs, or his mother’s understanding. A condition allowing for seven days absence is excessive and not conducive to safety of the public, which includes Mr. Teal’s family. At the upcoming conference, Mr. Teal’s team will continue to get to know him better and understand what is needed to manage his risks.
Mr. Skerkowski submitted that the Crown adopted the position of the hospital. (The Crown also added an offer to explore Mr. Teal’s outstanding charges, if it would be helpful to the Board (See related item in the “Analysis” below.)
Mr. Rodé submitted that Mr. Teal represents a significant threat to the safety of the public and that a Detention Order Disposition is appropriate. Conditions should include travel within 75 kilometres and for up to seven days. The hospital will still have discretion with respect to the distance and timeline of the passes it issues to Mr. Teal within those specified increased limits. The hospital has had some problems finding information to properly assess risk, due in part to not having a social worker on staff at this time. Mr. Teal’s risk is elevated because the hospital lacks information. The hospital may continue to seek that information before granting privileges. The conditions of Mr. Teal’s bail are not in conflict with this recommended Detention Order.
Mr. Teal has done quite well during his stay at the hospital. He has not received any programming with respect to substances; however, it is up to the hospital to try to arrange that. It is a year to his next hearing. The recommended increases in the timeline and distance for passes would not place any unrealistic expectations on Mr. Teal, especially given that the outstanding charges are quite dated.
Analysis
The term “significant threat” is defined in s. 672.5401 of the Criminal Code as “a risk of serious physical or psychological harm to a member of the public … resulting from conduct that is criminal in nature but not necessarily violent.” A finding of significant threat must be guided by the principles of law established in Winko v. British Columbia (Forensic Psychiatric Institute), 1999 CanLII 694 (SCC), [1999] 2 S.C.R. 625, as applied and elaborated in numerous judicial decisions since then. To state this jurisprudence in only a nutshell: A finding of significant threat cannot be speculative. It requires positive findings, supported by the evidence, that the threat that a person would engage in criminal conduct is a “real” threat, and that the harm this conduct would cause would be “serious.” Both findings are required: Neither a miniscule risk of grave harm, nor a high risk of trivial harm, is sufficient to find a real threat of serious harm.
Apart from the joint submission of the parties on the issue of significant risk, the Board finds that Mr. Teal represents a significant threat to the safety of the public. A Detention Order Disposition is appropriate, with residency in the hospital.
In coming to its determination, the panel considered the totality of the evidence. Mr. Teal requires continued detention in hospital due to his significant vulnerability to psychosis in the context of a brain injury. Substance use increases this risk. He has a history of cannabis and cocaine use and was actively using cocaine and struggling in the period immediately preceding the index offence, which moved him closer to psychosis. The treatment team does not yet have sufficient clarity regarding his substance use and his engagement on this issue has yet to be explored. If in the community, he would have access to substances, which would be a concern for Dr. Chan.
Mr. Teal is also sensitive to psycho-social stressors, including stress associated with his outstanding legal matters, which have not yet been reviewed from a clinical perspective. Certain unresolved allegations raise concerns about his past judgment and social functioning, necessitating a protective treatment environment and careful management of his social exposure, which cannot be adequately ensured in the community at this time.
As emphasized by Dr. Chan, Mr. Teal “needs to do everything possible to protect his brain.” He requires a structured, highly supportive setting to do so, including the involvement of the hospital’s brain injury program staff, who will continue to work intensively with Mr. Teal over the coming year. He will need assistance with organization and medication adherence. He requires a substantial level of support through brain injury rehabilitation before community living can be safely considered.
A Psychological Risk Assessment remains limited by insufficient information. As noted by Dr. Douglas in the Hospital Report, and subsequently agreed to by Dr. Chan, there was not enough information available at the time of the assessment to reliably estimate Mr. Teal’s risk, further supporting the need for ongoing observation and treatment in hospital.
Finally, there are unresolved historical risk indicators, including a prior roadside fire-setting incident, which require further assessment. In addition, uncertainty remains regarding the availability and stability of additional family support, including contact with Mr. Teal’s mother. These outstanding issues reinforce the conclusion that Mr. Teal requires continued detention in hospital.
After finding that Mr. Teal poses a significant risk to public safety, the panel determined that a Detention Order Disposition is appropriate. As noted in the evidence and highlighted by Mr. Rodé in his closing submissions, the hospital needs more information in order to properly assess Mr. Teal’s risk, which is currently elevated because of the lack of information. Residence within the forensic unit will allow for the treatment team to continue to assess and get to know Mr. Teal, particularly with respect to substance use.
In making the conditions of the Detention Order Disposition, the panel concluded that allowing travel of up to 75 kilometres and for periods of up to seven days represents the least restrictive and least onerous approach. This arrangement gives the hospital discretion to set more limited distances and timeframes for individual passes, depending on Mr. Teal’s stage of treatment and progress. Based on the evidence, and particularly given the positive, supportive relationship Mr. Teal has with his grandfather, the panel considered it realistic that Mr. Teal could progress over the next year to a point where he could manage broader privileges, especially if his grandfather becomes Mr. Teal’s “approved person”.
During the hearing, it was observed that the hearing documents did not include any information related to Mr. Teal’s past criminal charges, except for Mr. Teal’s own accounts to Dr. Chan. As also included in the evidence, Mr. Teal is a poor historian due to his brain injury. The panel notes that this information is essential, both to Mr. Teal’s treatment team and to the panel at Mr. Teal’s next hearing, and that such information is typically provided in advance by the Crown.
Conclusion
Having considered the four factors at s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code, namely the protection of the public, which is the paramount consideration, the mental condition of the accused, his reintegration into society and his other needs, the panel came to the unanimous conclusion that Mr. Teal meets the threshold for significant threat and that the necessary and appropriate Disposition in the circumstances is a Detention Order, as set out in the Board’s formal order.
The panel wishes Mr. Teal well for the year ahead.
Dated this 20th day of February 2026, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Ms. K. Weisbaum
Legal Member
Office of the Registrar Ontario Review Board