Ontario Review Board
Re: Michael Tyler Valcheff
ORB File No: 4155
Hearing held on: Tuesday, December 9, 2025
Place of hearing: Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care 401 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. J. Weinstein
Members: Dr. L.O. Lightfoot Dr. R. Chandrasena Ms. C. Murray Ms. C. Plyley
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Michael T. Valcheff Counsel: Mr. C.P. Dobson
The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Ms. J. Zamprogna
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Mr. D. Rows
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated January 12, 2026)
Introduction:
On March 18, 2005, Mr. Michael Tyler Valcheff was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder, on charges of uttering threats to cause death and fail to comply with a probation order, both contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (“Criminal Code”).
Mr. Valcheff is subject to a Disposition of the Ontario Review Board (the “Board”), dated December 24, 2024, which orders that he be detained at the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care, St. Joseph's Health Care London (“Southwest”).
The highest level of privileges accorded in his current Disposition is to enter the communities of Elgin and Middlesex Counties, indirectly supervised.
On December 9, 2025, the Board convened a hearing at Southwest to conduct the annual review of the current Disposition.
Mr. Valcheff was present at the hearing and was represented by his counsel, Mr. C. Dobson.
A Hospital Report, dated October 6, 2025 (the "Hospital Report"), was entered as Exhibit 1.
The issues at this hearing were whether Mr. Valcheff is a significant threat to public safety, as defined in s. 672.5401 of the Criminal Code, and, if so, what is the necessary and appropriate Disposition in the circumstances, bearing in mind the factors enunciated in s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code.
For the reasons set out below and based on the expert evidence and opinions before us, the Board concluded that Mr. Valcheff continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public. The Board found that the necessary and appropriate Disposition in the circumstances is the continuation of the existing Detention Order, with the additional privilege allowing him to live in the community, in accommodation approved by the person in charge. While living in the community, he is to report not less than four times per month.
Current Psychiatric Diagnoses:
- Schizophrenia
Major Depressive Disorder in full remission
Cocaine Use Disorder, in sustained remission in a controlled environment
Opioid Use Disorder, in sustained remission in a controlled environment
Antisocial Personality Disorder
Position of the Parties:
Counsels for the hospital, the Attorney General and Mr. Dobson advised that this was a joint submission: all were adopting the hospital’s recommendation of a continuation of the Detention Order, with the additional privilege of living in the community and a requirement to report not less than four times per month.
For the purposes of this hearing, counsel for Mr. Valcheff advised that significant threat was not in dispute.
Index Offences:
- The circumstances giving rise to the Index Offences are extracted from last year’s Board Reasons, as follows:
“On November 22, 2004, at approximately 1311 hours, Brantford Regional Police were dispatched to attend [street address] in reference to a follow-up complaint. Police had spoken with Brenda Valcheff, the mother of Mr. Tyler Valcheff, earlier that day, at which time she advised them that her son had attended the residence the previous Friday and the morning of November 22, 2004, and is not wanted there. At this time, Mr. Valcheff was warned not to attend the residence. As