Re Christopher M. LeBlanc, 2026 CanLII 34208

Re: Christopher M. LeBlanc

ORB File No: 7515

Hearing held on: Wednesday, March 4, 2026

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: Ms. T. Mann

Members: Dr. R. Chandrasena Dr. A. Kerry Mr. E. Siebenmorgen Ms. K. Brisson

Parties Appearing:

Accused: Christopher LeBlanc Counsel: Ms. N. Circelli

The Person in Charge of Hospital: Counsel: Ms. J. Zamprogna

Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Mr. J. Huber

REASONS FOR DISPOSITION (Dated April 15, 2026)

Introduction

1. On March 5, 2019, Mr. Christopher LeBlanc, then 38 years of age, was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder (“NCR”), on a charge of assault, contrary to the Criminal Code. He was most recently subject to a Disposition of the Ontario Review Board (“ORB” or “the Board”) dated March 21, 2025 ordering his detention at the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care, St. Joseph's Health Care London (“Southwest” or “the Hospital”), subject to a variety of conditions, with privileges extending to living in Southwestern Ontario in approved accommodation that is supervised.

2. On Wednesday, March 4, 2026, a panel of the Board convened in person at the Hospital to conduct the annual review of Mr. LeBlanc’s Disposition. The issues for determination were whether Mr. LeBlanc represented a significant threat to the safety of the public within the meaning of s. 672.5401 of the Criminal Code and, if so, what was the necessary and appropriate Disposition having regard to the criteria in s. 672.54 of the Code. Mr. LeBlanc was present and represented throughout the hearing by his counsel, Ms. Circelli.

3. The documentary evidence at the hearing consisted of the Hospital Report dated February 21, 2026, a Campbell letter from the Hospital to the Board dated June 19, 2025 (advising of a readmission to the Hospital on May 22, 2025), and a response to that correspondence dated June 23, 2025. The oral evidence was that of Dr. D. Curry, a clinical fellow working under the supervision of Dr. J. Quinn, Mr. LeBlanc’s attending psychiatrist (who also attended the hearing). Dr. Curry had been involved in Mr. LeBlanc’s care during the two months prior to the hearing.

4. The hearing proceeded on the basis of a joint submission. At the outset, counsel for all parties agreed that Mr. LeBlanc represented a significant threat to public safety and that the necessary and appropriate Disposition was a Detention Order. The only proposed change from the previous Disposition was that Mr. LeBlanc be permitted indirectly supervised privileges into the community of a residential drug and alcohol treatment program, at the discretion of staff or a delegate approved by the person in charge of the Hospital. This was for the purpose of facilitating Mr. LeBlanc’s participation at a residential program within Ontario. The parties maintained their positions at the conclusion of the evidence.

5. For the following Reasons, the panel concluded that Mr. LeBlanc continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public. The necessary and appropriate Disposition in the circumstances is a continuation of the Detention Order with the change proposed jointly by the parties.

The Index Offence

6. The circumstances of the index offence are briefly described below, as extracted from the Reasons for Disposition dated April 11, 2025:

“On June 16, 2018 the victim attended at the downtown core in the city of Guelph to meet with friends. He was approached by the accused who asked for a cigarette. When the victim told the accused he did not have any cigarettes, the accused said, ‘you have to die today’ and proceeded to hit the victim with a closed fist three times on the left side of his face.”

7. Mr. LeBlanc was seen in the emergency department at the Guelph General Hospital on June 13, 2018, three days prior to the index offence. He presented with “bizarre behaviour”, was described as “rambling”, and reported that he “found out he is a God.” He also noted “God told him he needs to go to the Homewood.” He left the emergency room, apparently before being seen by a physician, on the morning of June 14, 2018, at 2:28am.

8. Mr. LeBlanc provided a self-report of the index offence during his criminal responsibility assessment in early 2019. In addition, collateral information was provided by his mother, Shari LeBlanc. Mr. LeBlanc reported that he did not know the victim. He recalled using crystal methamphetamine during the day of the index offence and believed he may have still been intoxicated at the material time. The drug made him feel a “heightened sense of reality”. He disagreed with the synopsis, and claimed the victim asked him for a lighter. He lent the victim his lighter, but he didn’t give it back. He stated he never asked the victim for a cigarette. Mr. LeBlanc then said: “Give me my lighter back.” The victim responded: “Fuck off.” At that point, a voice told Mr. LeBlanc to hit the victim, and he complied. He said the voice was one he heard frequently, who he named “Mike.” Mr. LeBlanc was asked if he thought punching the victim was wrong at the material time. He stated: “Well I thought I had grounds, he tried to steal my lighter.”

9. Mr. LeBlanc also stated a belief at the time that the victim was a “made.” When asked, he clarified a “made” meant a non-human machine. He stated the purpose of the machine was to set him up to get charged, because somebody wanted him in jail. He believed the crystal methamphetamine intoxication made him more sensitive to detecting non-human “mades” at the material time. Since he did not believe the victim was real, he expressed an intention to plead not innocent to the charge.

10. Shari LeBlanc recalled that she and Mr. LeBlanc got into a verbal altercation on the day of the index offence because he did not have enough money to buy drugs. She stated that, “He was very agitated. I had to put his shoes on. He was a mess.” He had been smoking bath salts, sold to him as methamphetamines, which she believed contributed to his worsened mental state. She recalled Mr. LeBlanc telling her that he had thought the victim was the Devil. She reported, “Chris always implies… ‘there’s the devil’ or ‘there’s the guy that’s out for us’, always thinking someone’s around the house, someone’s gonna hurt us, that’s the kind of psychosis that he was in.”

Other Incidents Proximate in Time to and Following the Index Offence

11. For a time both before and after the index offence (before being hospitalized), Mr. LeBlanc lived with his mother, Shari LeBlanc. They were homeless and camped out together, building tents in a field in the Guelph area. Ms. LeBlanc’s reliability as a historian was considered somewhat limited, as she was intoxicated much of the time that they lived together over the summer of 2018. When asked to characterize this period of time in general, she stated, “He [Mr. LeBlanc] was really cranked up on the methamphetamines, crazed about religion, everything – we were camping in a field, and he was getting his crystal meth and injecting it, and I was injecting opiates. This is how we lived the whole time we were off and homeless. We were always wired. We’d be up for 8 days and never know it.”

12. Mr. Le Blanc was seen in the Guelph General Hospital Emergency Department on June 4, 2018 (12 days prior to the index offence). He was brought in by police after he went to the police station and “lunged over the counter”. His mental state was described as tangential with incoherent thoughts. He was noted to be “aggressive” and “combative.” He was certified under the Mental Health Act. The next morning, he was assessed and diagnosed with a substance use disorder and substance induced psychosis. He was discharged from the emergency department. During that interaction, a Canadian Mental Health Association (CMHA) worker left a note on the medical chart indicating that Mr. LeBlanc had exhibited bizarre behaviours on multiple occasions in the preceding days. On June 1, 2018 he was found in the showers of a private health club and charged with mischief. The next day (June 2), he attended a performing arts centre in Guelph (the River Run Centre) in a police jumpsuit and went on stage during a children’s recital.

13. After being charged, Mr. Leblanc failed to attend a court date on July 3, 2018. He went to a police station the next day. During his NCR assessment, Mr. LeBlanc stated that his memory was “fuzzy” about the missed court date. He thought he likely missed court because he was using crystal methamphetamine and forgot about it.

14. On August 1, 2018, Mr. LeBlanc was released from court, having been accepted into the Bail Verification and Supervision Program. On September 11, 2018, he was required to attend a mandatory supervision meeting with the Bail Program Coordinator and failed to attend. The Bail program made attempts to locate him and left messages reminding him of his bail conditions. The police were unable to locate him, so a warrant was requested. He was found on September 20, 2018 at a library in Guelph, and brought to the police station.

15. While being searched by Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) prior to a transfer of custody to a detention centre, Mr. LeBlanc struck one of the OPP Special Constables above the eye with a closed fist. As a result, the Special Constable was taken to the Guelph General Hospital where he received 10 stitches. The incident was captured on a security video camera. During his NCR assessment, Mr. LeBlanc stated that he could not recall this incident and may have “blacked out”. Later, he explained that he had secreted some crystal methamphetamine in his sock when he was at the library, and to avoid the police finding it at the station, he consumed it all while held in the cells briefly prior to being searched.

16. Charges of mischief and failing to attend court arising out of the foregoing incidents were ultimately withdrawn. The Hospital Report does not indicate whether Mr. LeBlanc was charged following the incident at the police station.

17. Mr. LeBlanc was 45 years of age at the time of the hearing. His early history and background prior to the commission of the index offence are set out in the Hospital Report. As the Report is in evidence, this information need not be thoroughly summarized in these Reasons. However, some important features of his earlier history are highlighted below to provide context for Mr. LeBlanc’s current situation and for the panel’s determination of the risk that he represents. To say that Mr. LeBlanc has lived a chaotic life from his childhood to the time of his hospitalization following the index offence is to understate the picture presented in the Hospital Report.

18. Mr. LeBlanc’s mother gave birth to him when she was 15 years old. He never knew his biological father. Ms. LeBlanc reported that she smoked cigarettes, drank alcohol, and “probably did dabble” with cocaine use while pregnant. Mr. LeBlanc reportedly had no significant medical problems as an infant and met his developmental milestones at the normal times. Ms. Leblanc became romantically involved, while pregnant, with Warren English. She had four other children with him.

19. Mr. LeBlanc’s early childhood featured significant abuse. An undated family assessment provided by Ms. LeBlanc alleged, “abuse of both a physical and sexual nature is suspected here. Several incidents, involving both Shari LeBlanc and Warren English… involving neglect, physical punishment, isolation, and lack of supervision are to be found in the official record. While neither Chris nor Brian [his brother] disclosed any ‘evidence’ of sexual abuse, their sexual precocity, sexual interests, masturbatory behaviours and mutual stimulation are strongly suggestive”. When asked about this, Ms. LeBlanc recalled that Mr. LeBlanc “used to get locked in the basement [by Warren English] with his siblings and told to keep them quiet”. Child protection services became involved with the family at Ms. LeBlanc’s request in 1984 (when Mr. LeBlanc was four years old) and in 1988, the children were taken into care. Mr. LeBlanc and one of his half-brothers were kept together and stayed in three different foster homes, until 1993.

20. Ms. LeBlanc’s relationship with Mr. English ended in 1988. When Mr. LeBlanc was approximately age 11, his mother began a relationship with a man named Ed Malott, and shortly after leaving foster care, Mr. LeBlanc returned to live with his mother and Mr. Malott. They moved to Kitchener. Mr. LeBlanc reportedly got along well with Mr. Malott. When he was about 14 years old, his mother fled the home and relationship, leaving her son to live with Mr. Malott. She eventually was found in Guelph, where she had started a relationship with another man. Mr. Leblanc continued to live in Kitchener with Mr. Malott but occasionally visited his mother in Guelph.

21. Mr. LeBlanc was reportedly diagnosed with ADHD and dyslexia in kindergarten or grade 1. He also moved between multiple schools as his mother moved from town to town. His mother reported that he was bullied in school and, in response, he “lashed out” at other schoolchildren. He was involved in fights while in high school. A youth probation report indicated that by age 15, he had received 19 school suspensions. The report recorded that, “The majority of the suspensions have been for inappropriate use of profane language, assaultive behaviour toward both peers and teachers, and opposition to authority.” Reports provided by his mother indicated that Mr. LeBlanc was seen by several psychiatrists, including at the Child and Parent Resource Institute (CPRI, in London, Ontario) in 1990, at a Community Mental Health Clinic in 1991, and in 1993 (also at CPRI). He was consistently diagnosed with conduct disorder. At times, he was diagnosed with a learning disability and anxiety. Dr. Jerome at CPRI diagnosed him with provisional attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He was treated with multiple psychotropic medications in his teens, including a stimulant (Ritalin) and an antidepressant (desipramine).

Relationships and Employment

22. Mr. LeBlanc described having been involved in a serious relationship that began when he was 21 years old and lasted three to four years. A child was born through this relationship; however, both Mr. LeBlanc and his partner were using drugs. Although he was working during this time, he eventually lost his employment, reportedly because he was staying home to care for the child while his partner was using drugs. Eventually, when the child was 18 months old, Mr. LeBlanc sought child protection assistance, and the child was given up for adoption.

23. Mr. LeBlanc described another serious relationship that he said lasted three years. He was initially his partner’s drug dealer, and they lived in an apartment together. Tragically, she hung herself and Mr. LeBlanc reportedly was the one who found her body.

24. Mr. LeBlanc reported having several temporary factory jobs during his 20s. He denied having ever been fired, reporting that he “just stopped going” after a few months. He often used drugs while on the job. He last worked at age 28.

Substance Use, Psychiatric History, and Legal History

25. Mr. LeBlanc reported that he started drinking alcohol at age 14 and using cannabis at age 15, while his mother stated that he began using both substances at age 11 or 12 after he returned from the foster home, and began using “harder” drugs after being introduced to heroin by one of his mother’s friends. Mr. LeBlanc said that in his 20s, he started using hallucinogens such as psilocybin and LSD. He started using stimulants such as cocaine and crystal methamphetamine, though primarily the latter. He acknowledged that crystal methamphetamine had caused him to lose consciousness at times and had also led to assaultive behaviour.

26. Mr. LeBlanc’s criminal history began with a 1995 conviction for armed robbery when he was just 14 years of age. Between 1999 and 2016, he had 29 additional convictions, some of which were for drug possession. He had numerous convictions for failing to comply with probation orders and recognizances as well as several for failing to appear in court. Of note, between 2000 and 2016, he was convicted six times for assault-related offences, including two for assault causing bodily harm.

27. Mr. LeBlanc’s legal history overlaps to a great extent with his formal psychiatric history. His first two admissions were from May 5 to July 5, 2000, for an assessment of his fitness to stand trial, and from December 11, 2000 to January 5, 2001, as a voluntary patient at the Addictions Rehabilitation Unit. Both admissions were to the Southwest Centre (then known as the St. Thomas Psychiatric Hospital). On the latter occasion, his participation and response to treatment were described as “excellent”.

28. Mr. LeBlanc’s next forensic admission was for an assessment of his fitness to stand trial from August 29 to September 29, 2014. He was diagnosed with schizophrenia at that time.

29. Mr. LeBlanc also had two admissions to the Secure Treatment Unit (STU) at the Brockville Mental Health Centre (BMHC): as a voluntary patient from June 30 and October 1, 2014, and as an involuntary patient from November 27 to December 15, 2017. On the first occasion, he presented with a tangential thought form, labile affect, and exhibited pressured speech. His condition improved with oral antipsychotic and anti-anxiety medications. The second admission was involuntary. He was transferred from the Central North Correction Centre (CNCC), where he had been non-adherent with medications, leading to increased psychotic symptoms. He presented as agitated and exhibited pressured speech and a labile affect. He was found incapable to consent to treatment, was treated with antipsychotic medications with the consent of the Public Guardian and Trustee (PGT) but remained unwell throughout his admission. He at one point required locked seclusion after punching a co-patient. He was discharged to the Guelph General Hospital Emergency Department (ED) on a Form 1 under the Mental Health Act.

30. Mr. LeBlanc visited the ED at the Guelph General Hospital numerous times, between approximately 10 and 20 times each year between 2012 and 2018 (except for 2016, when he visited only twice). His typical diagnoses included substance-induced psychosis and substance intoxication. He often exhibited physical signs of substance intoxication and his urine tested positive for substances (typically stimulants, including cocaine and crystal methamphetamine) on numerous occasions. Several notes describe suicidal ideation. On multiple occasions, he required physical and/or chemical restraints for violent behaviour. He often left the hospital before being assessed. At other times, he would be placed on a Form 1 under the Mental Health Act, receive a mental health assessment, and then be discharged either the same day or shortly after his presentation to the ED.

31. Records also show that Mr. LeBlanc had admissions to Homewood Health Centre in 2013 (June 30-July 4) and 2015 (January 4-February 3).

Course After the Index Offences and Under the Board’s Jurisdiction

32. Mr. LeBlanc’s first admission to the Southwest Centre following the index offence was on October 23, 2018, pursuant to a treatment order. When admitted, he presented with severe psychotic symptoms, significant mood symptoms, and was sexually inappropriate. On three occasions, he required seclusion. His symptoms attenuated with antipsychotic treatment but were no eliminated. He was returned to court on December 4, 2018, found fit to stand trial, and a criminal responsibility assessment was then ordered and he returned to the Southwest Centre. For the first several weeks, his presentation remained unchanged, with both psychotic and significant negative symptoms of his illness. Over time, he also began to exhibit prominent depressive features. His current diagnoses, stated below, were identified during the NCR assessment.

33. During his first year at the Hospital following the verdict, Mr. Leblanc was resistive to treatment and hospitalization. He remained noncompliant with medications and continued to display active psychotic symptoms. His level of engagement with both staff and peers was poor. He demonstrated lability of his mood as well as hypersexual behaviour. On one occasion, his drug screen tested positive for methamphetamines and he acknowledged its use. He made gradual improvement with treatment over the ensuing years and, although he remained actively symptomatic, no angry outbursts or aggressive behaviors were observed, and he was transferred from a treatment unit to a rehabilitation unit in the Hospital in late September of 2021. He attended a Concurrent Disorders group and demonstrated some engagement in the discussions of trauma and substance use, including expressing his desires around the feeling of being intoxicated.

34. Mr. LeBlanc was receiving both oral (clozapine) and injectable antipsychotic medications, taken with his own consent. However, in September of 2022, he was found incapable of consenting to his treatment, and the PGT became his substitute decision maker (SDM). His clozapine dose was increased due to ongoing breakthrough symptoms. He became well enough to be transported for a visit to see his mother in Arthur, Ontario, in November of 2022.

35. Mr. LeBlanc was discharged to community living in a St. Thomas group home in July of 2023, following an extended leave of absence (LOA) that began in late May, 2023. While he presented as friendly and was pleasant during interactions with treatment team members, he engaged in minimal spontaneous conversation and often required prompting to provide more detailed responses. He typically kept to himself and interacted very little with peers or staff unless spoken to first. Group home staff reported that Mr. LeBlanc was fairly seclusive and spent long periods of the day in his room. They also reported that his room was typically in disarray. He made gradual progress in incorporating structure to his day and started volunteering at the local Mission Thrift Store. He received positive feedback and extended his weekly volunteer hours. He also attended Talbot House (a CMHA program) to participate in activities such as playing cards and would go to the local library for internet access. Outreach team members supported Mr. LeBlanc in the community for brief shopping trips to obtain personal items such as footwear and money for personal spending.

36. Unfortunately, Mr. LeBlanc relapsed into methamphetamine use, with his drug screens beginning to test positive for the substance in September of 2023. On November 15, 2023, he failed to attend an appointment with his outreach team despite repeated reminders from both outreach and group home staff and failed to return to the home that night or answer calls to his cell phone. He was located by police the next day and was admitted to the Hospital. He was cooperative but clearly appeared under the influence of substances. He admitted consuming cannabis and methamphetamines (later confirmed by testing). Following his readmission, Mr. LeBlanc was questioned about the potential impact substance use can have on his mental health. He denied that they have any impact and described using substances as “bliss”. However, he reported being now motivated to abstain from use as he became aware that his community placement is at risk.

37. Mr. LeBlanc’s bed at the group home was held for him and he returned there on a LOA on March 20, 2024. Unfortunately, his stay was short-lived as he relapsed into methamphetamine use and was returned to the Hospital on April 3, 2024. He presented underlying irritability, elevated mood, thought disorder, suspiciousness, and grandiose religious beliefs. Following his admission to a treatment unit, Mr. Leblanc was guarded, with episodes of pressured speech and delusional thinking. He was noted to be responding to unseen stimuli and spent most of the day seclusive in his room. He also reported experiencing command hallucinations and was preoccupied with religious thoughts. However, after a few weeks in hospital on his medication regimen and free of substance use, he gradually returned to his baseline mental state. He used his community privileges appropriately, including returning to his volunteer work at the Mission Thrift Store and beginning to attend a Celebrate Recovery program at a local church.

38. Mr. LeBlanc completed the Concurrent Disorders program at the Hospital as well as a 19-day program at the Westover Treatment Centre in Windsor. He was able to make a staff-accompanied visit to his mother in Arthur at the end of July, 2024. A referral to Community Homes for Opportunity (CHO) through the CMHA yielded an opportunity to move into a private room at the Port Bruce group home. He began a transition to the home in February of 2025.

39. In expressing his future goals, Mr. LeBlanc stated that he wished to live in the community, preferably in the Guelph area, to become employed, and to meet his daughter.

Evidence for the Current Reporting Year and at the Hearing

40. The Hospital Report describes Mr. LeBlanc’s diagnoses as follows:

• schizophrenia;
• substance use disorder – methamphetamine, cannabis; and
• antisocial personality disorder.

41. By way of brief overview, at the start of the most recent reporting period, Mr. LeBlanc was, as noted above, on a LOA to a private group home providing 24-hour supervision. He was formally discharged on March 10, 2025. On March 18, 2025, he was readmitted to the Hospital due to substance use relapse. On March 25, 2025, he returned to the group home on a LOA. On April 7, 2025, Mr. LeBlanc requested to return to hospital briefly and was returned to his group home on April 10, 2025. He was readmitted to hospital on May 22, 2025, due to another substance use relapse. He returned to the community on June 6, 2025, on a LOA. On June 19, 2025, Mr. LeBlanc was readmitted to the Hospital due to substance use. He has remained in Hospital since then.

42. Over the reporting period, Mr. LeBlanc tested positive for amphetamine (three times) and cannabis (twice). When using substances, he has quickly presented with more irritability and psychotic symptoms, including hallucinations and an increase in religious delusions, as well as some persecutory paranoia. Mr. LeBlanc identified stress and boredom as key factors contributing to his use.

43. At the hearing, Dr. Curry observed that Mr. LeBlanc suffers from clozapine-resistant schizophrenia, manifesting in ongoing positive and negative symptoms. There is some fluctuation in Mr. LeBlanc’s primary symptoms, including chronic delusions of both a persecutory and grandiose nature. A month prior to the hearing, he was observed to increase in his irritability and violent ideation. Dr. Curry agreed with Ms. Circelli’s suggestion, based on the Hospital Report, that Mr. LeBlanc reached out to staff to report that he was experiencing a violent intention in relation to a peer.

44. By way of update to Mr. LeBlanc’s medications as listed in the Hospital Report, Dr. Curry stated that divalproex had been added in response to the increased irritability, but the dosage was just reduced in the week of the hearing due to apparent sedation. He acknowledged that optimization of medication is currently a “moving target”. In response to questions from Ms. Circelli, Dr. Curry stated that even on his high dose of clozapine, Mr. LeBlanc experiences breakthrough symptoms. He agreed that while the current dosage is adequate for most individuals, there is still room to adjust Mr. LeBlanc’s dose upward. In response to a panel member’s question about safety concerns associated with the dosing levels of clozapine, Dr. Curry said that Mr. LeBlanc was currently at a level such that making further changes would warrant a great deal of monitoring.

45. Dr. Curry expressed the opinion that Mr. LeBlanc has very little to no insight into his need for medication, having even stated his opinion that coming off his medication would be worth the risk. Indeed, Dr. Curry stated his opinion that Mr. LeBlanc’s insight is limited in all domains.

46. Dr. Curry stated that the treatment team is recommending further substance use treatment, including up to admission to a residential program. For his part, Mr. LeBlanc has stated that he does not need further treatment. He does, however, continue to attend Celebrate Recovery in the community. One specific treatment program under consideration would not be available due to the limitations in Mr. LeBlanc’s Disposition, which is why the Hospital recommended the extension of indirectly supervised privileges while attending the treatment program. Responding to a panel member’s question, Dr. Curry stated that one program under consideration is of three months’ duration (Brentwood), located in Windsor. He referred to this as a very intensive program that also incudes an exploration of trauma. Mr. LeBlanc’s amenability to such a program is an issue.

47. A panel member questioned Dr. Curry whether he had any information as to whether the Rainbow Lodge treatment program, designed for indigenous persons, is indeed restricted to such individuals. He did not have such information but stated that the treatment team would consider this question.

48. Dr. Curry acknowledged, in response to Ms. Circelli’s questions, that Mr. LeBlanc has expressed interest in attending residential treatment at the Homewood Centre, as it is closer to his home area in Guelph. Counsel for the Attorney General asked whether there would be a concern about the Homewood Centre in view of Guelph being the location of the index offence and the possibility that Mr. LeBlanc would have contacts there from his drug use and dealing days. Dr. Curry said that much would depend upon the level of supervision at Homewood. This would all be considered further by the treatment team.

49. Dr. Curry confirmed that the treatment team has referred Mr. LeBlanc to the psychology service for cognitive testing to support an application for Developmental Services of Ontario (DSO) funding support. He agreed, in responding to a question from Ms. Circelli, that “in a nutshell”, DSO funding would be contingent on this psychology review.

50. Responding to a suggestion from panel members, Dr. Curry agreed that the treatment team would be looking into further emotional and psychotherapeutic interventions for Mr. LeBlanc. The team will confer once the results of the upcoming psychological testing are known. Dr. Curry was asked whether Mr. LeBlanc engages better in one-on-one interactions as distinct from groups, to which the doctor replied that depending upon the topic, Mr. LeBlanc has benefitted from one-on-one approaches. Dr. Curry expected that with greater stability, Mr. LeBlanc could flourish with both types of intervention.

51. In response to questions from Ms. Circelli, Dr. Curry acknowledged that Mr. LeBlanc has been adherent to his medications and demonstrated good response to medication changes, despite verbalization of the idea of coming off his medications. When he expressed that idea, it was approximately a month before the hearing at a time of greater irritability. In the past, Mr. LeBlanc has experienced hallucinations that have included commands to come off his medication.

52. Dr. Curry adopted the Overall Clinical Summary of Risk contained at pp. 145-146 of the Hospital Report. Asked what factors indicate that Mr. LeBlanc is likely to cause serious physical or psychological harm, Dr. Curry referred to three groups of factors:

i. Mr. LeBlanc’s history; ii. the violent ideation that appears when his symptoms become more evident; and iii. the positive behaviours that he demonstrates: pacing, clenched fists, and violent threats.

53. Dr. Curry spoke to the difficulties that Mr. LeBlanc experienced with living at his most recent group home. First, while the home provided 24-hour supervision, it did not have all the supports normally provided through CHO housing. Mr. LeBlanc lacked structured activities for his daily routine and Dr. Curry regarded this as a very important, if not the most important, factor. In addition, Mr. LeBlanc found that, because his accommodation at the home was self-funded, he had few funds left for other activities. His place in the home has been vacated, and Dr. Curry confirmed that Mr. LeBlanc is on a waitlist for other CHO housing. Two locations under consideration are group homes in Strathroy and Exeter.

54. Dr. Curry confirmed the information in the Hospital Report that Mr. LeBlanc has continued to use his indirectly supervised passes appropriately. He also had an accompanied visit to see his mother in Arthur (in the fall of 2025).

55. With respect to the necessity of a Detention Order, Dr. Curry stated that the Hospital needs the authority to approve Mr. LeBlanc’s housing, which still needs to be supervised. At this time, Mr. LeBlanc’s ability to maintain his stability is on a “knife’s edge” and his accommodation would be especially important to break the “revolving door” cycle that was experienced over the past reporting period.

56. Dr. Curry was referred by a panel member to the re-offence scenario in the Hospital Report. In addition to the role of substance use relapse in leading to decompensation, Dr. Curry stated that decompensation would be quick if Mr. LeBlanc were to stop his medication. It would particularly be quite rapid if he were to stop clozapine, with symptoms emerging within hours to days. Dr. Curry confirmed, in response to a question from Ms. Circelli, that during the past year, noncompliance with medication has not been an issue.

57. Dr. Curry was also asked by a panel member about the impact of stopping clozapine treatment, in the context of clozapine-resistant schizophrenia, upon the potential for a patient to return to stability at the same level once treatment resumed. Dr. Curry replied that a worsening psychosis is essentially toxic to the brain, so the impact of coming off clozapine is to be understood in that light.

58. Dr. Curry commented on Mr. LeBlanc’s strengths, stating that: he has several areas of interest; he is very resilient; he is able to maintain and foster family supports; and he has been able to engage with and build therapeutic rapport with his external supports – the treatment team. It is also noted, in his list of protective factors from the previous reporting period (2024) that Mr. LeBlanc demonstrates empathy, as revealed in his caring relationship with his mother.

59. Dr. Curry agreed with Ms. Circelli’s suggestion that in the case of one of Mr. LeBlanc’s readmissions (April of 2025), he had reached out to the treatment team, identifying his need to get back to the hospital to manage his substance cravings and avoid relapse. It was very positive that Mr. LeBlanc identified this, but it also pointed out the inadequacy of the support provided, in relation to Mr. LeBlanc’s needs, at this residence. Dr. Curry agreed that Mr. LeBlanc’s readiness to approach staff is a strength on which to build.

60. No further evidence was led following that of Dr. Curry.

Analysis and Conclusions

61. The panel is satisfied that the evidence substantiates the conclusion that Mr. LeBlanc represents a significant threat to the safety of the public. As earlier noted, the parties agreed on this at the hearing. Mr. LeBlanc suffers from a major mental illness and a substance use disorder. Both these features of his mental condition are related to the commission of the index offence. His substance use issues, his mental illness, and his significant history of assaultive behaviour are of long standing.

62. Mr. LeBlanc continues to struggle with both his substance use disorder, having relapsed into the use of both cannabis and methamphetamine during the latest reporting period. This is scarcely surprising in view of the length of time that drug use, and specifically cannabis and methamphetamine use, have been virtually a core feature of his life prior to coming under the Board’s jurisdiction. He continues to experience cravings and drug-seeking behaviour. While there have been encouraging signs, such as Mr. LeBlanc’s engagement with the Concurrent Disorders program and Celebrate Recovery, his many years of substance dependency are not easily undone. The risk of relapse into substance abuse, and its impact upon his mental illness and behaviour, is well-articulated in the re-offence scenario in the Hospital Report. The panel accepts and adopts this scenario as realistic and foreseeable.

63. Mr. LeBlanc also suffers from a treatment-resistant form of schizophrenia. He experiences residual symptoms even when treated, as he now is, with a combination of oral and long-acting injectable antipsychotic medication. Over the past reporting period, he has been adherent to his medication, the administration of which has been overseen by either group home or hospital staff. Over the years, he has demonstrated a persistent lack of insight into his mental illness. He denied the presence of symptoms, the need for treatment, and the validity of his diagnoses, despite ongoing evidence of his condition. His reason for taking medication was because “the doctor tells me too”. Absent supervision, it is likely that he would discontinue his medication and his active symptoms would quickly re-emerge.

64. The panel agrees with and adopts the Overall Clinical Assessment of Risk expressed at pp. 145-146 of the Hospital Report. The factors listed therein, along with the foregoing observations, satisfy the panel that absent forensic system oversight, Mr. LeBlanc is likely to engage in criminal conduct that would result in serious physical or psychological harm to members of the public.

65. Turning to the matter of disposition, the panel is satisfied that at this time, Mr. LeBlanc’s risk can only be safely managed under the terms of a Detention Order. Again, it was undisputed among all parties at the hearing that this is the necessary and appropriate Disposition. Notably, Mr. LeBlanc remained at the Hospital at the time of the hearing and had no stable housing. It is essential that the Hospital approve his housing in the community as a key risk mitigation strategy. It is encouraging that as of the hearing date, the treatment team had two potential housing options that may provide both the supervision and the opportunities that Mr. LeBlanc requires for a successful reintegration into the community.

66. The panel also adopted the parties’ joint recommendation and ordered that Mr. LeBlanc could have indirectly supervised community privileges specifically while attending a residential treatment program. The panel expresses its hope that Mr. LeBlanc will, as he experiences greater stability of his mental condition with optimized medication, become amenable to the focused kinds of intervention that a residential treatment program may provide. We encourage Mr. LeBlanc, who appears to have a good relationship with his treatment team, to work with his team in identifying the treatment program that is best suited to his individual needs.

67. The panel would make the following observations in concluding these Reasons. It is apparent that in making the progress that he has during his years under the Board’s jurisdiction, Mr. LeBlanc has, with his treatment providers’ assistance and support, worked through serious challenges. These challenges have been summarized in some detail in these Reasons to point out that despite experiencing many hardships, Mr. Leblanc has shown himself to be very resilient. He is also empathetic, particularly toward his mother. These qualities, together with a good therapeutic rapport and transparency with his Hospital team, are significant strengths that provide a foundation on which to continue building. While there have been setbacks in his journey toward rehabilitation and reintegration into the community, Mr. LeBlanc has demonstrated that he is capable of progressing well.

68. In approaching this matter, the panel has considered the evidence through the lens of the factors in s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code.

DATED this 15^th day of April 2026, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.

Eric Siebenmorgen

Legal Member

Office of the Registrar Ontario Review Board