Ontario Review Board
Re: Ryan Farley
ORB File No: 8611
Hearing held on: Thursday, March 5, 2026
Place of hearing: Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care 401 Sunset Drive, St. Thomas, Ontario
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. B. Little
Parties Appearing: Accused: Ryan Farley Counsel: Mr. A. Minardi
The person in charge of hospital: Counsel: Ms. J. Zamprogna
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Mr. J. Huber
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated April 13, 2026)
[1]. On August 16, 2024, Ryan Farley was found not criminally responsible (“NCR”) on account of mental disorder on charges of careless use of a firearm, possessing a restricted firearm without holding a license, discharging a firearm with intent, possessing a restricted firearm knowingly not being licensed holder, and breach of a release order, all contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada (“the Criminal Code”). Mr. Farley is currently subject to a detention disposition Order of the Ontario Review Board (“the Board” or “the ORB”) dated March 07, 2025, detaining him at the Southwest Centre for Forensic Mental Health Care (“the Hospital”) with privileges including living in the community of Elgin and Middlesex Counties in accommodation approved by the person in charge.
[2]. On March 5, 2026, the Board convened this panel to conduct the annual review of Mr. Farley’s Disposition pursuant to section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code. Mr. Farley was present at the hearing with his counsel, Mr. A. Minardi appearing via videoconferencing technology.
Position of the Parties
[3]. At the outset of the hearing, the parties were canvassed as to their respective without prejudice recommendations to the Board. The Hospital and Attorney General were joined in their submission that Mr. Farley presented a significant threat, and that the necessary and appropriate disposition was a detention disposition Order upon the same terms and conditions as currently in place, save allowing for increased passes (including the privilege of living in approved accommodation) into southwestern Ontario and removing the requirement that he abstain from using intoxicating substances. Mr. Minardi on behalf of Mr. Farley advised he had been instructed by his client to consent to a finding of significant threat as well as the proposed changes to the disposition Order. In submissions, all parties maintained the positions they had taken at the outset of the hearing, noting the excellent progress Mr. Farley had made over the review period.
Index Offences
[4]. The following synopsis of the Index Offences is taken from the Reasons for Disposition dated March 7, 2025 as follows:
In brief, on October 26