Re: Ahmed Sualim
ORB File No: 7227
Hearing held on: Friday, November 28, 2025
Place of hearing: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Ms. C. Finley
Members: Dr. Y. Alatishe
Dr. L.O. Lightfoot
Hon. B. Allen
Mr. J. Cyr
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Ahmed Sualim
Counsel: Ms. L. Leinveer
The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Mr. D. Blumenkrans
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Mr. M. Feindel
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated January 22, 2026)
Introduction
On September 27, 2019, Ahmed Sualim was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (“NCR”) on charges of robbery using a firearm (x5), and theft over $5000 (x5), all contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. He is currently subject to a disposition of the Ontario Review Board (“the Board” or “ORB”), dated January 6, 2025, detaining him at the Forensic Service of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto (“CAMH” or “the hospital”), with discretionary privileges up to and including the ability to reside in the community in approved accommodations.
On November 28, 2025, the Board convened a hearing pursuant to s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code. The issues to be determined were whether Mr. Sualim continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public, and if so, the necessary and appropriate disposition to manage threat having regard to the criteria set out in s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code. Mr. Sualim was present and represented by his counsel, Ms. Leinveer.
At the outset of the proceedings, counsel for the hospital and the Ministry of the Attorney General submitted that Mr. Sualim remains a significant threat to the safety of the public and the necessary and appropriate disposition is a continuation of the current detention order. Ms. Leinveer indicated that Mr. Sualim was seeking an absolute discharge.
Findings
- For the Reasons that follow, the panel found that Mr. Sualim remains a significant threat to the safety of the public and the necessary and appropriate disposition is a continuation of the current detention order.
The Evidence
- The evidence at the hearing consisted of the Hospital Report, dated October 31, 2025 (ex. 1), and the viva voce evidence of Dr. Valoo, Mr. Sualim’s treating psychiatrist.
The Index Offences
- A summary of the index offences has been taken from the Hospital Report. Between January 22 and January 31, 2012, Mr. Sualim committed a number of armed robberies and thefts. He robbed a convenience store, someone working alone at a gas station, and clerks at the front desk of two hotels. On each occasion he brandished a silver revolver, pointed it at the victim, and demanded cash. During this same period, he attended five different jewelry stores. He would request to see a piece of jewelry and then fled the store with the item in hand. Mr. Sualim was arrested at his home on February 1, 2012.
Background Information
- The Hospital Report includes details of Mr. Sualim’s background and need not be reviewed in these reasons beyond the following material points. Mr. Sualim is a 33-year-old man who was born in Nigeria. He came to Toronto at the age of six with his mother, stepfather, six brothers and two sisters. At the time of the index offences, Mr. Sualim was residing with his mother and supported by welfare. He has not worked since he was seventeen after doing some part time work at FreshCo and Walmart. He also supported himself by selling drugs and panhandling.