Ontario Review Board
Re: Lillian Coburn
ORB File No: 6328
Hearing held on: Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Place of hearing: Centre for Addiction and Mental Health
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before: Alternate Chairperson: Dr. K. Connidis Members: Hon. N. Kozloff Dr. K. Hand Dr. G. Kerry Mr. S. Duffy
Parties Appearing: Accused: Lillian Coburn Counsel: Ms. C. Francis The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Mr. D. Blumenkrans Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Mr. M. Feindel
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated March 19, 2026)
Introduction
[1]. On April 15, 2013, Lillian Coburn was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (“NCR”) on seven counts of criminal harassment, one count of threatening death, and one count of mischief, all contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (“Code”). She has remained under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Review Board (“ORB” or “Board”) since that date.
[2]. On January 7, 2026, this panel of the Board convened to conduct Ms. Coburn’s annual review.
[3]. At the time of the hearing, Ms. Coburn was subject to a disposition of the Ontario Review Board dated January 13, 2025, ordering that she be discharged with the following conditions:
(a) report to the person in charge of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto or his or her designate, as required but not less than once every two weeks;
(b) refrain from having in her possession any firearm, ammunition or other offensive weapon, or being in the company of any person possessing a firearm other than a peace officer;
(c) refrain from contact or communication, direct or indirect, with the two named law firms and fifteen named individuals;
(d) advise the person in charge of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto or his or her designate, in advance, of any absence from her residence of 24 hours or more;
(e) notify, in writing, the person in charge of the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto or his/her designate and the Ontario Review Board 24 hours in advance of any change of existing address or telephone number;
(f) upon notice, attend before the Ontario Review Board as required; and
(g) keep the peace and be of good behavior.
[4]. Ms. Coburn was not in attendance at the hearing. Her counsel explained that Ms. Coburn is elderly and frail, feels unsafe leaving the house, and asked to be excused. Ms. Francis added that Ms. Coburn had given her full instructions to proceed with the hearing in her absence. Permission was granted for Ms. Coburn to be absent.
[5]. Ms. Coburn is a 73-year-old single woman with no dependents. At the time of the hearing, she was residing in an independent, rent-controlled apartment in Toronto. She is financially supported by Old Age Security benefits (“OAS”). She is incapable with respect to consenting to psychiatric treatment.
Position of the Parties
[6]. Counsel for the Hospital, the Attorney General, and the accused jointly submitted that a discharge on the same conditions remains the necessary and appropriate disposition for Ms. Coburn. Counsel for Ms. Coburn explicitly acknowledged that Ms. Coburn is a significant threat to the safety of the public and thus that issue was not contested at this hearing.
The Board’s Conclusions
[7]. For the reasons that follow, the panel accepted the joint submission of the parties, and concluded that Ms. Coburn remains a significant threat to the safety of the public and that the necessary and appropriate disposition in the circumstances is an order pursuant to [s. 672.54](https://www.canlii.org/en/ca/laws/stat/rsc-1985-c-c-46/latest/rsc-1985-c-c-46.html#sec672.54_