Ontario Review Board

Ministry

Ministry of Health

URL

www.orb.on.ca

Address

10TH FLOOR, 151 BLOOR STREET WEST
TORONTO
M5S2T5

Phone

(416) 327-8866

Fax

(416) 327-8867

Background

Criminal Code, R.S.C. 1985, c. C-46, ss. 672.38-672.4; O.C. 348/97 (opens a new window)

Function

Established under the Criminal Code, the Ontario Review Board makes or reviews dispositions concerning any accused in respect of whom a verdict of not criminally responsible by reason of mental disorder or unfit to stand trial is rendered. Hearings must be held within forty-five or ninety days of the verdict and within 12 months thereafter. In addition, upon notice from a hospital of a restriction of the accused’s liberties for more than 7 days, the ORB must hold a hearing to review the hospitals discretion as soon as practicable.

Membership

The Lieutenant Governor in Council appoints not less than five members. The chair, who is appointed by the Lieutenant Governor in Council, shall be a judge of the Federal Court or of a Superior, District or County Court in Ontario, or may also be a person who is qualified for appointment to, or who has retired from, such a judicial office. The board usually sits in panels of five members: one chair, one lawyer, two psychiatrists and one public member. A quorum consists of the chair, one member who is legally entitled to practise psychiatry in Ontario and one other member. Alternate Chairs are selected by the Chair.

Term

Members are appointed for two, three or five years.

Meetings

The Board conducts approximately 2000 proceedings/hearings per year; there is no minimum or maximum number in which a Board member must participate. The amount of time/work required in advance of a hearing depends on the complexity and volume of written material. Alternate Chairs in the main perform all post hearing work; the time required varies depending on the complexity and number of hearings for which disposition and reasons are to be written. Board members may be required to travel for up to a week at a time anywhere in Ontario but primarily Toronto, Ottawa, Brockville, Hamilton, London, St. Thomas, North Bay, Whitby, Thunder Bay, Kingston, and Penetanguishene.

Remuneration

Appointees are remunerated according to Schedule B of the Agencies and Appointments Directive

Appointments & Vacancies