ORB 2026

The Ontario Review Board held a mandatory review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for attempted murder and possession of stolen property.

The accused, diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, sought an absolute discharge but refused to attend the hearing or participate in a court-ordered violence risk assessment.

Relying on expert psychiatric and psychological evidence, the Board found that the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to a lack of insight, risk of medication non-compliance, and potential for substance abuse if unsupervised.

The Board ordered the continuation of the conditional discharge as the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

The Ontario Review Board held a hearing to review the hospital's decision to restrict the liberty of an NCR patient for a period exceeding seven days.

The patient, who had been living in the community, was readmitted to the secure forensic unit after decompensating due to non-adherence to his antipsychotic medication.

The Board found that the restriction of liberty was warranted for public safety and was the least onerous and least restrictive measure in the circumstances.

The accused was found unfit to stand trial on charges of indecent act and disobeying a court order.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial hearing to determine fitness and disposition.

Relying on the evidence of the treating psychiatrist, the Board found that the accused remains unfit to stand trial due to Schizoaffective Disorder, bipolar type, and continues to pose a significant risk for violence.

The Board ordered a detention order at the High Secure Provincial Forensic Program.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for arson and related offences.

The accused, who suffers from treatment-refractory schizophrenia, has a history of setting fires driven by fixed delusions.

Based on uncontroverted expert psychiatric evidence, the Board found that the accused continues to pose a significant threat to public safety.

The Board ordered the continuation of the existing Detention Order, amending it to remove indirectly supervised grounds privileges due to the accused's risk of absconding and re-offending.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review of the disposition for an accused found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and failing to comply with probation.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and antisocial personality disorder, had made positive gains in treatment and anger management.

Relying on uncontroverted expert evidence, the Board found the accused remained a significant threat to public safety due to a lack of assessment in an unstructured environment.

The Board ordered the continuation of the detention order with increased privileges, including living in the community in approved accommodation.

The accused, who was found not criminally responsible for various offences, was subject to a restriction of liberty by the hospital after receiving illicit substances thrown over a fence by a minor.

The accused's privileges were reduced to Level 0 and he experienced multiple seclusions due to ongoing substance use and agitation.

The accused also requested a trial off medication to determine if his psychosis was primary or substance-induced.

The Ontario Review Board found that the restriction of liberty was necessary, appropriate, and represented the least onerous and least restrictive measure available.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for uttering threats and criminal harassment.

The accused suffers from schizophrenia and a severe cannabis use disorder.

The Board accepted the joint recommendation of the parties, finding that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety due to his risk of decompensation and medication non-compliance if released without external controls.

The Board ordered a continuation of his detention at the hospital, with an expansion of his community privileges to all of Southern Ontario to facilitate family support.

The Ontario Review Board held an initial disposition hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for aggravated assault and assault with a weapon.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia in remission and cannabis use disorder, had been living in the community without incident.

Relying on uncontroverted psychiatric evidence, the Board found the accused remains a significant threat to public safety due to his mental condition and ongoing daily cannabis use.

The Board ordered a Conditional Discharge with terms including a weapons prohibition and random urine screens, but notably excluded an absolute abstinence clause to allow monitoring of his cannabis use in the community.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused previously found unfit to stand trial on various charges including theft and failing to comply with probation.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, remained highly symptomatic despite medication compliance.

Relying on the attending psychiatrist's evidence, the Board found the accused remained unfit to stand trial due to significant cognitive impairment and disorganization.

The Board ordered a continued Detention Order at the hospital, but expanded the accused's community privileges to facilitate a gradual transition to supportive housing.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for two counts of sexual assault.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia, had been living with his family and maintaining medication compliance.

The attending psychiatrist testified that the accused's risk of sexual recidivism was very low and that he did not pose a significant threat while supported by his family.

Applying the Winko framework, the Board concluded it could not affirmatively find that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to the safety of the public.

The accused was granted an absolute discharge.

The accused was found not criminally responsible for arson and appeared before the Ontario Review Board for an initial disposition hearing.

The Board found that the accused, who suffers from schizoaffective disorder and a substance use disorder, continues to pose a significant threat to public safety due to ongoing symptoms, substance use, and inconsistent medication adherence.

Accepting the joint submission of the parties, the Board ordered a Detention Order with privileges up to and including community living in approved accommodation, subject to conditions including absolute abstinence from intoxicants and weapons prohibitions.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review for an accused found not criminally responsible for multiple offences, including assault causing bodily harm.

The accused had recently been discharged to supervised community living but had a history of medication non-adherence and substance use leading to psychotic relapses.

The Board found that the accused continues to represent a significant threat to public safety.

Concluding that a Conditional Discharge would be insufficient to manage his risk, the Board ordered a Detention Order with conditions, including a requirement for weekly reporting.

The accused, who has a lengthy history of treatment-resistant schizophrenia, was previously found unfit to stand trial on several charges including unlawful entry and assault.

At a mandatory review hearing, the Ontario Review Board considered whether he had become fit.

Relying on the evidence of his attending psychiatrist, the Board found that while his condition had improved, he remained unfit due to severe thought disorganization and an inability to understand the adversarial nature of the proceedings.

The Board ordered his continued detention and directed his transfer to the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), finding it to be the least onerous and least restrictive disposition.

The Ontario Review Board held an annual review hearing for an accused previously found not criminally responsible for uttering threats.

The accused had maintained a long period of mental stability, medication adherence, and sobriety from substances.

Relying on the unanimous opinion of the clinical team and the attending psychiatrist, the Board found that the accused no longer poses a significant threat to the safety of the public.

An Absolute Discharge was ordered.

The Ontario Review Board conducted an annual review and a Restriction of Liberty (ROL) hearing for an accused found not criminally responsible for break and enter and breach of probation.

The accused, diagnosed with schizophrenia and substance use disorder, had his liberty restricted after testing positive for methamphetamines and going AWOL from his community residence.

The Board found the restriction of liberty was warranted and necessary.

Relying on uncontroverted expert psychiatric evidence, the Board concluded the accused remains a significant threat to public safety and ordered the continuation of his Detention Order with amendments requiring 24/7 supervised accommodation.