Ontario Review Board
Re: Ethan Petzak
ORB File No: 8451
Hearing held on: Monday, March 30, 2026
Place of hearing: Brockville Mental Health Centre
Pursuant to: Section 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code
Before:
Alternate Chairperson: Mr. C. Flanagan
Members: Dr. Y. Alatishe Dr. W. Loza Ms. M. Chamberlain Mr. S. Duffy
Parties Appearing:
Accused: Ethan Petzak Counsel: Mr. E. Lavictoire
The person in charge of hospital: Representative: Dr. J. Gray
Attorney General of Ontario: Counsel: Mr. K. Schultz
REASONS FOR DISPOSITION
(Dated May 14, 2026)
On December 21, 2023, the accused, Ethan Petzak, was found not criminally responsible on account of mental disorder on charges of attempted murder (x2), arson endangering life, and assault bodily harm – choking, all contrary to the Criminal Code of Canada. Mr. Petzak is currently subject to a disposition of the Ontario Review Board dated April 29th, 2025, and an Order amending that Disposition dated May 13th, 2025. That Disposition detains him at the Secure Forensic Unit of the hospital with privileges up to and including to live in the community of Eastern Ontario in 8-hours per day supervised accommodation approved by the person in charge.
On March 30, 2026, a panel of the Ontario Review Board convened a hearing at Brockville Mental Health Centre (the “Hospital”) to review Mr. Petzak’s Disposition pursuant to s. 672.81(1) of the Criminal Code. Mr. Petzak was in attendance at the hearing and represented by counsel, Mr. E. Lavictoire. Also, in attendance to support him were three family members. Mr. Petzak’s former spouse, Ms. Cook, one of the victims of the index offences, and her parents also attended the hearing. A Hospital Report dated March 18, 2026, was entered into evidence as Exhibit 1 and a CPIC Report was entered as Exhibit 2.
For the reasons set out below, this Board concluded that Mr. Petzak continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public and that the necessary and appropriate Disposition is the continuation of the existing Detention Disposition with the amendment to conditions 4(e) to read “refrain from contact or communication, direct or indirect, with Robyn Cook and members of her immediate family unless with their written revocable consent except through legal counsel for the express purpose of family court proceedings” and 4(f) to read “refrain from contact or communication, direct or indirect, with Robyn Cook’s children, unless pursuant to a family court order made after this date”.
The Board also concluded that the two conditions be added to the disposition; namely, to live in the community within the City of Brockville in accommodation approved by the person in charge and passes up to 7 days 4 times a year to enter the community of Eastern Ontario, indirectly supervised.
Initial Position of the Parties
At the outset of the hearing, the parties were canvassed as to their recommendations to the Board. Dr. Gray, on behalf of the Hospital, recommended the continuation of the existing Detention Disposition with amendments to the conditions to allow residency in approved accommodation (within 150 km) and permitted passes for up to 7 days in eastern Ontario indirectly supervised 4 times per year.
Mr. Schultz, on behalf of the Attorney General of Ontario, supported the recommendation of the Hospital with regards to the detention disposition but wished to hear the evidence before taking a position on the proposed changes in the privileges.
Mr. Lavictoire, on behalf of Mr. Petzak, conceded significant risk and supported the Hospital’s recommendation.
Index offences
- The background leading up to and circumstances of the Index offence are set out in the Hospital Report and summarized in last year’s Reasons for Disposition as follows:
“Robin COOK (hereinafter “Robin”) and the accused, Ethan PETZAK have been in an on- again, off-again relationship for approximately 7 years. They share 2 children in common, Hunter PETZAK and Taylor PETZAK. There is a history of domestic violence between the couple. The accused is currently wanted by Edmonton Police Service for an assault on Robin from July 12, 2021.
The accused suffers from mental health issues and on June 13, 2023, his doctor issued a Form 2 for a mental health assessment, after Robin reached out to the doctor and advised of her ongoing concerns for the accused's mental health.
Synopsis:
On the evening of June 13, 2023, Robin was putting her 2 children to sleep in a bedroom that Robin, the accused and their two children share at the accused's grandparents house at 15335 Finch-Osnabruck Boundary Road in the Township of North Stormont. During that process, the accused was continuously disrupting and waking the children. Once the children were finally asleep, Robin asked the accused if he wanted to go out for a cigarette, which he agreed to do. Robin first went to the bathroom and heard the accused go in and out of the bedroom about three times before they finally went outside for a smoke at approximately 21:00 hours.
Robin stepped away for approximately 1 minute and upon her return, noticed that the accused had gone back inside the residence. Robin assumed that the accused had gone inside to check on the children, so she remained outside to have her smoke. Within 1 minute, Robin heard the accused's grandparents ask, "what is that?" then "Fire!". Robin ran inside the residence where she observed the accused's grandparents opening the bedroom door, where the children had been sleeping. Robin gathered her children and ran outside to call 911. She noticed that the bedroom had already filled with smoke and flames were visible from within the room.
While Robin was on the phone with 911, she asked the accused how the fire had started, to which he responded that he took a lighter to the outlet that was plugged in behind the bunk bed. Robin seated her children in one of the vehicles at the residence as they waited for police and firefighters to attend.
Robin and the accused then had a conversation while leaning against their vehicle. The accused told Robin that Taylor wasn't his daughter and that she needed to die and be "re-woken" because she was in a dream. He also said his grandparents weren't really his grandparents and that this was all a dream. Ethan then grabbed Robin around the neck from the front with both of his hands, as his thumbs were by her ears. Ethan squeezed his hands around her neck and Robin feared for her safety, stating she thought he was going to snap her neck. Robin described Ethan as squeezing inwards and trying to choke her and close her windpipe. Robin subsequently grabbed Ethan's hands and took them off her.
Further investigation revealed that a fire had started in the bedroom where the children were sleeping and when the accused's grandparents attended the room to rescue their grandchildren, they had difficulty gaining access to the bedroom as the accused created a barricade by pushing the children's bunk bed against the door, with himself and the children inside the burning room. The accused's grandparents were luckily able to push their way into the room and all parties escaped with minor to no injuries and were assessed for smoke inhalation.
At 21:27 hours, the accused was placed under arrest for CC 433(a) - Arson - Disregard for human life. As the investigation progressed, police had additional grounds for CC 267(c) - Assault causing bodily harm - choke, suffocate or strangle and CC 239(1)(b) - Attempt to commit Murder (x2)”.
Current Psychiatric and Medical Diagnoses
- Mr. Petzak’s current diagnoses are listed in the Hospital Report as follows:
Schizophrenia
Cannabis use disorder, mild severity
Cocaine Use Disorder
Alcohol Use Disorder
Background History
The Hospital Report at pages 4-6 discusses Mr. Petzak’s personal history based on conversations with Mr. Petzak, who was noted to be a “poor historian”, as well as his former common-law spouse Robin Cook. The following is a summary of the information contained in that section.
Mr. Petzak had a difficult childhood. His parents separated when he was three, argued regularly and made negative comments about each other in front of the children. Mr. Petzak grew up primarily in his mother’s home, where he reported experiencing “frequent” emotional and physical abuse. He ran away to live with his father when he was 13 and did not speak to his mother until he was 18, when encouraged to do so by Robin. Mr. Petzak maintained a good relationship with his father.
Mr. Petzak completed high school and was noted to have done well in his courses. According to Ms. Cook, he worked full-time in landscaping during the majority of their relationship, until he quit in April 2023 due to his belief that his boss was “possessed”. From that point on, Mr. Petzak no longer wanted to go out into the community because he believed that “everybody was against him.”
Ms. Cook advised that she and Mr. Petzak had been together on-and-off for seven years. She described the first couple of years in the relationship as “great”. They had their daughter with no issues, but things started deteriorating after they had their son. She explained that Mr. Petzak started consuming alcohol on a more frequent basis, and he would become violent towards her while also experiencing a “blackout.” Ms. Cook left the relationship, and Mr. Petzak initiated a relationship with her biological sister about a day later. According to Ms. Cook, her sister introduced Mr. Petzak to cocaine.
Following their breakup, Ms. Cook and Mr. Petzak shared custody of the children. They reunited about a year later, and Ms. Cook reported that Mr. Petzak used cocaine once, about two weeks after they got back together. Ms. Cook and Mr. Petzak remained together a further six months, then split again due to a resumption of Mr. Petzak’s alcohol use, resulting in “blackouts” and domestic violence. Mr. Petzak would accuse Ms. Cook of having affairs, which she attributed to the fact that a previous girlfriend had cheated on Mr. Petzak.
Mr. Petzak and Ms. Cook reunited for the final time in February 2023. Ms. Cook noticed that he was still struggling with odd beliefs, such as thinking a house they were going to move into in Gatineau was haunted. She observed Mr. Petzak’s mental health deteriorate after this, leading up to the index offences.
The Hospital Report refers to a “charge” of assault against Ms. Cook from July 2021. The record before the Board contains no information regarding the outcome of that charge. Mr. Petzak has no criminal record.
Psychiatric History
Mr. Petzak stated that he has suffered from depression and anxiety for many years; however, he had never seen a psychiatrist. He stated that he had been on an antidepressant medication (citalopram) for a few months but stopped due to financial constraints.
Records from the Cornwall Community Hospital note that Mr. Petzak was admitted overnight on December 31, 2020, due to an intentional overdose (citalopram, pregabalin, and zopiclone) after an argument with Ms. Cook.
Mr. Petzak’s mother stated that Mr. Petzak had never seen a psychiatrist. However, in February 2023, he stayed awake for a week straight and started voicing a belief that worms were in his brain and that “something bad would happen”. He became very paranoid and refused to eat since he believed that all food was poisoned. As a result, he lost a significant amount of weight.
His mother also noted that he had three suicide attempts. She stated that he has intentionally driven a 4-wheeler into a tree and attempted to overdose on medication, but she was unsure of the details regarding the third attempt.
Ms. Cook advised that Mr. Petzak started seeking mental health support in 2019 by asking his family physician, Dr. K. Dhami, for diagnostic clarification and medications. Mr. Petzak was diagnosed with depression and anxiety.
Substance Use History
Mr. Petzak stated that he would regularly consume about half a gram of cannabis per day for several years. He previously smoked a pack of cigarettes per day but quit two years ago. He stated he drank alcohol only socially. Mr. Petzak explained that he had tried cocaine once as well as psychedelic mushrooms.
Ms. Cook added that Mr. Petzak used cocaine while he was in a relationship with her sister, as well as one time when she and Mr. Petzak had got back together.
Evidence at the Hearing
The evidence at the hearing consisted of the Hospital Report as well as the oral testimony of Dr. Gray.
Dr. Gray informed the Board that Mr. Petzak had had a relatively good year leading up to his annual hearing. He resided on the least restrictive unit from the time of his last review in 2025 until August 25, 2025, when the Hospital received a urine drug test that was positive for cocaine as described below. Mr. Petzak was then transferred to more restrictive unit and remained there at the time of the hearing.
Dr. Gray explained that Mr. Petzak had had a positive urine screen for cocaine in August 2025. The test results were only provided to the Hospital a few weeks after the urine sample was taken and therefore the Hospital could not retest the sample to confirm the result. Mr. Petzak adamantly denied any substance use and the treatment team did not notice any mental status changes during the time of the positive result. Due to the suspected substance use, Mr. Petzak was placed in a more secure unit within the Hospital. This was the only incidence of positive drug screening during the reporting period.
At the time of the positive result, Mr. Petzak was working in roofing; an industry that is known to have a lot of substance use. Mr. Petzak decided to stop this work to avoid the possibility of further positive urine screens.
Mr. Petzak’s participation in Hospital programming has improved over the past year. He has had individual sessions with the Hospital psychotherapist and has been attending the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Psychosis Group. Mr. Petzak has also been participating in the Calm Group to help deal with his anger.
Dr. Gray testified that Mr. Petzak’s insight had improved, and he recognized that he had an illness and required medication. He was not completely sure that marijuana would negatively affect his mental health, but Mr. Petzak was willing to remain abstinent from all other drugs.
The plan for the coming year would be for Mr. Petzak live in the community at an approved accommodation. He is currently the first person on the waitlist for Murray Street; a home with supervision 8 hours each day. At first, Mr. Petzak was not considered a good fit for Murray Street, however, given how engaged he is in therapy, he was accepted on to the waitlist.
Mr. Petzak may not need to remain at the Murray Street house for long, as Dr. Gray testified that he is very capable and could manage living independently. The doctor said that he was able to take his medication, follow treatment recommendations and comply with drug screening without the need for assistance.
Dr. Gray noted that Mr. Petzak has a supportive family. His grandmother is an approved person and is particularly helpful. He could use the proposed 7-day passes to visit her in her home in Cornwall. The doctor felt that Mr. Petzak could live with his grandparents if he was unable to find housing in Brockville. Dr. Gray was asked how close the grandparents live to the victims, but he stated that he did not know where they lived.
Dr. Gray was asked about Mr. Petzak’s insight into substance use and its impact on his mental health. He noted that cannabis use can increase symptoms of psychosis and suggested that all people should avoid it, but especially people at risk of mental health issues. Dr. Gray stated that Mr. Petzak is in the contemplative stage of insight. He feels that he can control his own urges and does not require substance use counselling. The doctor noted that Mr. Petzak has agreed to participate in the CBT for substance use group at the Hospital that is set to start in May 2026.
Dr. Gray stated that a positive year for Mr. Petzak would include him moving into the community, initially at the Murray Street residence but then possibly look for his own apartment. The doctor would also like to see Mr. Petzak continue with his current employer and come to the Hospital to attend therapeutic programming and meet with his psychotherapist.
In response to questions from Mr. Lavictoire, Dr. Gray stated the following:
Mr. Petzak has not shown any psychiatric symptoms in the last year. He has had a low mood, but this has been due to his lack of access to his children and feeling guilty about the index offence.
Mr. Petzak accepts his diagnoses and willingly takes his medication.
Mr. Petzak has a full-time job and his employer reports that he is a good worker.
Mr. Petzak did not show signs of intoxication around the time of the positive urine screen in August 2025.
The risk assessment contained in the Hospital Report suggests that Mr. Petzak is at low risk of violent redivision.
Visits with Mr. Petzak’s grandparents seem to be going well and no issues have been reported to the Hospital. The doctor agreed that, if the visits continue to go well in the coming year, he would be willing to increase the visits to more than four at the Mr. Petzak’s next annual review.
Mr. Petzak is open to treatment and counselling.
The Board noted that the privileges in the disposition may need to be slightly varied for clarification. Condition 4e should be changed to state that Mr. Petzak should have no contact with the victims unless with written revocable consent. Also, the requirement for Mr. Petzak’s attending psychiatrist’s consent for contact with both Robin Cook and the children should be removed.
Counsel for Mr. Petzak noted that the no contact condition should allow for contact with Ms. Cook through the family lawyer.
No other evidence was presented.
Submissions of the Parties
At the conclusion of the hearing Dr. Gray confirmed the Hospital’s position that Mr. Petzak continued to require a detention order. He supported the changes suggested by the parties and Board during the hearing
Mr. Shultz joined with the Hospital regarding the detention order and passes. After consultation with the victims, the Crown took the position that he opposed the proposed amendment to allow Mr. Petzak to live in approved accommodations within 150km of the Hospital but was willing to agree to him living in approved accommodation within Brockville. He stated that the evidence supported this as the victims did not live in Brockville and therefore the order would provide safety for them. Mr. Shultz also noted that Mr. Petzak was just now ready to live in the community and submitted that the Hospital should see how he does in the Brockville community before allowing him to live farther away.
Mr. Lavictoire joined the Hospital. He stated that his client was in agreement with the detention order as well as the recommended changes. In terms of his approved accommodations, counsel noted that Mr. Petzak’s parents lived in Cornwall and have been a support to him. Mr. Lavictoire submitted that his client has shown a significant improvement in engagement with counselling, he has demonstrated sobriety with the exception of the positive August test and there has been an absence any psychotic episodes in the last year. Given all of this, counsel submitted that Mr. Petzak should be permitted to live in accommodation within 150 km of the Hospital.
Conclusion and Disposition
Having considered all of the evidence tendered at the hearing, and the submissions of the parties, the Board does find that Mr. Petzak continues to pose a significant threat to the safety of the public as defined in s. 672.5401 of the Criminal Code of Canada and as further defined in the Supreme Court of Canada decision Winko v. British Columbia (Forensic Psychiatric Institute), 1999 CanLII 694 (SCC), [1999] 2 S.C.R. 625.
According to R. v. Winko, a significant threat to the safety of the public means a real risk of physical or psychological harm to members of the public that is serious in the sense of going beyond the merely trivial or annoying. The conduct giving rise to the harm must be criminal in nature.
Mr. Petzak has been diagnosed with Schizophrenia as well as various substance use disorders. The index offense was severe and relatively recent. Mr. Petzak had just recently begun to meaningfully participate in therapeutic counselling and is in his early stages of insight into his illness, the need for medication as well as the impact of substance use on his mental health. There was one positive test for cocaine in the past reporting year, although Mr. Petzak denies any substance use.
Despite this, Mr. Petzak has made significant gains in the last reporting period. He has been able to find employment; he has shown improved insight into his illness and has been more engaged in programming at the Hospital. He has the support of his parents and has been able to have some visits with them in their community that have gone well.
The Board agrees that Mr. Petzak should be able to spend more time with his parents and finds that he should be able to have passes to visit with them for up to 7 days on four occasions in the coming reporting period. The Board does not feel that Mr. Petzak should live with his parents at this time. We note that the index offence occurred in the parents’ home and returning there should be approached cautiously. In the coming year, Mr. Petzak will be able to spend more time in Cornwall while continuing to have the support provided by living close to the Hospital.
Mr. Petzak will likely be able to move to the Murray Street house in the next month or two and can remain there for 8 to 12 months. This will allow him to continue working in the Brockville community and access programming at the Hospital. In the coming year, he may also move to his own apartment and live independently.
The board also finds that the existing conditions should be slightly changed as follows:
a. 4(e) to read “refrain from contact or communication, direct or indirect, with Robyn Cook and members of her immediate family unless with their written revocable consent except through legal counsel for the express purpose of family court proceedings” and
b. 4(f) to read “refrain from contact or communication, direct or indirect, with Robyn Cook’s children, unless pursuant to a family court order made after this date.
- We have taken into consideration the factors at s. 672.54 of the Criminal Code of Canada, namely the protection of the public, which is the paramount consideration, the mental condition of the accused, his reintegration into society and his other needs in coming to the unanimous finding that a detention order on the same terms and conditions remains necessary and appropriate and least onerous and least restrictive Disposition in all of the circumstances.
Dated this 14th day of May, 2026, at the City of Toronto, in the Toronto Region.
Ms. M. Chamberlain Legal Member
__________________ Office of the Registrar Ontario Review Board