Re: Nathan Rienguette
ORB File No: 6676
Hearing held on: Friday, March 20, 2026
Place of hearing: North Bay Regional Health Centre – North Bay Site
Pursuant to: Section 672.81 of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. M.D. Segal
Members Dr. W.J. Komer
Dr. P.N. Wright
Ms. N. Nathanson
Mr. A. Bouvier
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Nathan Rienguette
Counsel: Mr. C. Bracken
Person in charge of Hospital: Representative: Ms. C. Condie
Counsel: Mr. P. Trenker
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Ms. M. Mazurski
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated April 13, 2026)
Introduction:
On January 13th, 2015, Nathan Rienguette, age 29, was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder on charges of assault (x2) and breach of probation, contrary to the Criminal Code.
Mr. Rienguette, who lives in the community, and subject to a conditional discharge, appeared at the North Bay Regional Health Centre – North Bay Site on March 20th, 2026, for his annual hearing before the Ontario Review Board (“the Board”). The Board had before it as Exhibit 1 the Hospital Report dated February 12th, 2026.
Position of the Parties:
- In preliminary positions all parties acknowledged that significant threat to the safety of the public was present and that the current Disposition should continue as the least onerous and least restrictive Disposition that balances public safety and Mr. Rienguette’s rehabilitation.
Background:
Mr. Rienguette is single. He was born in Sudbury. He comes from a sib line of three. His two older brothers have a different mother. He was difficult to manage as a child. He was diagnosed with ADHD and a learning disability. He was often suspended from school. There were violent episodes. He was physically abused by his father. Mr. Rienguette began experiencing mental health issues in grade seven.
He is capable regarding consenting to treatment and administrating finances. He resides in North Bay at Percy Place, a 24-hour supervised home operated by the CMHA. He lives in a semi-independent apartment.
Diagnoses:
Schizophrenia.
Avoidant Personality Disorder.
Index Offence:
- The allegations giving rise to the index offence are set out in paras 7 of last year’s Reasons for Disposition as follows:
“The following was gleaned from the Greater Sudbury Police Service Arrest Report dated September 13, 2014:
Nathan Rienguette (18yrs) is diagnosed as a paranoid schizophrenic and a resident at 680 Kirkwood Dr. in Sudbury, commonly known as the Algoma Hospital Kirkwood Site.
On the 13Sept14 at 1441hrs, Rienguette stormed out of his room and ran towards psychiatric nurse Candace Reay.
Rienguette struck Reay in the head, using his fist two times.
Reay subsequently attended at Health Sciences North on her own for examination.
Rienguette continued his behaviour by attacking an elderly patient Leo Lajambe, who suffers from Alzheimer’s and is incapable of defending himself.
Lajambe was struck in the nose and received a nosebleed to the facial area.
Lajambe was treated at the scene by paramedics and was released to nurses on the floor. Patient Rienguette was subsequently released from the Algoma Unit by Dr. Chavlais at 1515hrs
Nathan Rienguette was identified by nursing staff at the Algoma Site and was located in his room, #417.
A CPIC query of Rienguette showed that Rienguette was breaching a Probation Order under the YCJA, which was endorsed by Judge Keast on the 10Jan14.
Rienguette was subsequently breaching the following condition of his probation, namely a failure to keep the peace and be of good behaviour.
Rienguette was escorted from his room to the cruiser and while seated in the rear of the cruiser, was arrested for common Assault x2 and Breach of Probation by Cst. Bilodeau.
These charges and rights were understood. The accused party was escorted to headquarters, where at 1600hrs he contacted his lawyer, Alex Toffoli.
Since there is a bona fide concern for public safety and the fact that his next of kin, being his mother, Cathy Rienguette was stabbed in March 2013 and that Rienguette was an adult and had a history of violence, he was held for Bail.”
Evidence at Hearing:
Dr. J-G Gagnon, the patient’s psychiatrist, testified. Dr. Gagnon has known Mr. Rienguette for several years. Dr. Gagnon related that all is going well. The current residence is just the right fit. It is an apartment in a group home setting. Mr. Rienguette comes down for meals, medication, and activities. Mr. Rienguette has been working hard to find a job. He has been assisted by the hospital in that search.
Dr. Gagnon noted that there continued to be small episodes that last a day or so in which Mr. Rienguette becomes agitated and has issues with staff.
There was a time Mr. Rienguette was suspicious of Dr. Gagnon but that has now abated. Some time ago, Mr. Rienguette refused to come out of his basement quarters for a year.
Clozapine has worked well for Mr. Rienguette. Recently Mr. Rienguette finished high school.
The diagnosis of avoidant personality disorder predates Dr. Gagnon’s supervision of the patient. Dr. Gagnon would not necessarily have come to that diagnosis. In Dr. Gagnon’s view that diagnosis could simply be attributed to the negative symptoms of schizophrenia.
When unwell, Mr. Rienguette becomes paranoid. In that state Mr. Rienguette believes others are trying to harm him and his inclination is to hit them before he is struck. When paranoid, Mr. Rienguette misconstrues social interaction with potentially dangerous consequences. De-escalation to lashing out arises exceedingly quickly.
While doing quite well now, there are continuing residual thoughts that can be concerning. They are unpredictable coming out of the blue.
Analysis:
Mr. Rienguette is in a stable housing arrangement. He should be congratulated for completing high school. It is admirable that he is seeking employment. Significant threat remains. There are continued episodes of thought disorder. Mr. Rienguette is prone to episodes that may last for a day or two in which he becomes agitated and short with staff. There is a susceptibility to paranoia and a concern that the patient would lash out to pre-empt unfounded concerns that others are seeking to harm him.
The year has been relatively stable. The joint submission is sensible. No changes to the Disposition are warranted. We wish Mr. Rienguette a good year.
DATED this 13th day of April 2026, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Mr. M. D. Segal
Alternate Chairperson
Office of the Registrar
Ontario Review Board