Notable Canadian cases where an accused was found not criminally responsible
A judge has ruled that Pierre Ny St-Amand, 53, was not criminally responsible for the 2023 bus attack on a Laval, Que., daycare that killed two small children and injured six others. Superior Court Justice Éric Downs concluded Ny St-Amand was experiencing psychosis and could not discern right from wrong. He has been ordered detained in a psychiatric hospital.
Here's a look at some other high-profile Canadian cases in which there was a not criminally responsible finding:
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Toronto Sun
16 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
WARMINGTON: Details scarce after 15-year-old shot dead in latest violence to rock city
But Toronto Police keeping card close to their vest is often a sign that they have a good probe underway to search for the shooter Get the latest from Joe Warmington straight to your inbox A Toronto Police vehicle is see at Bluffers Park in Scarborough, Aug. 17, 2020. Photo by Ernest Doroszuk / Toronto Sun It looks like the shooter or shooters were looking for a specific teenager and on Saturday night they not only found him but murdered him. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account It was loud when it happened in the Mount Dennis neighbourhood, but has gone quiet ever since. But when you have 15-year-olds shot in what looks like a targeted murder, you know as a city you have a major problem that just can't be glossed over, or pretend that everything is okay. It's not okay. The victims seem to be getting younger and so do the shooters and violent criminals. And Toronto as a whole, and the Canadian justice system, does not seem to have any answer for it — or much of a desire to find one. The gang wars seem to go from one generation to the other and few seem to care unless a bullet hits an unintended target. Then there's outrage. But there should be outrage every time a 15-year-old is gunned down in cold blood — which is what happened Saturday just after 10 p.m. at Emmett Ave. and Jane St. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Investigators with Toronto Police Homicide are all over this case, which witnesses say involved a shooter, or shooters, approaching in a car and firing toward 10 people — shooting one in the chest who later was pronounced dead. 'Multiple shots were fired,' said one first responder. 'There were about 10 people shot at. One hit.' Police are keeping evidence close to the vest, as well as just where they are taking their investigation. It's not believed to be connected to last week's fatal Lawrence Heights shooting or recent violence in the Driftwood neighbourhood. From downtown to Jamestown to Rexdale to Scarborough, whatever the reason, Toronto Police understand the players and the beefs and are working hard to solve Toronto's 14th homicide of 2025. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We can understand how concerning incidents like this are to members of the community,' Det. Sgt. Phillip Campbell said during a media scrum Sunday. Police worked all weekend gathering evidence but did not offer an updated news release on Monday. Perhaps they are close to an arrest? Or just hard at work gathering evidence. SHOOTING: Emmett Ave & Jane St @TPS12DIV10:06 pm-police responded to reports of a shooting in the area-officers arrived on scene and located a male victim with a gunshot wound -male victim being transported to hospital by @TorontoMedics -suspect fled the area#GO1186586 ^sm— Toronto Police Operations (@TPSOperations) June 8, 2025 This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'There won't be a release today,' said Toronto Police spokesperson Stephanie Sayer on Monday. 'The decision to publicly identify a homicide victim — particularly a young person — is made in close consultation with the family. As you can appreciate, this is an incredibly sensitive situation.' We do understand. These are families that are torn apart. It's ugly. But young people dying and their names being kept from the public is a concerning trend because if you don't have a victim or a picture, it's hard for the public to feel something — from sadness to outrage. This is the second young person to die this year in a violent incident in which the victim's identity has not yet been made public. The other was a 16-year-old shot by police April 22, after videos show him shooting at an officer from the back of a car that he was asked to exit. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The SIU is investigating that case. But we don't know who it was, how he had a gun and what he was up to that night or at other times. As a result, the public is in the dark about what is going on on its streets. What we do know with the Emmett Ave. fatal shooting is that a robust probe is underway. 'We want to assure the public that we are dedicating all necessary resources to this investigation,' Campbell told reporters. While no victim's name has been released so far — likewise for hints on the motive — sources tell the Sun one investigative avenue being considered is a potential retribution play from a rival gang as a result of some dissing on social media. Police have not confirmed this but it's standard into today's street world — whether it's rappers trading barbs in videos and messaging online or messages being delivered by gunfire. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. It's dark and bad for Toronto. But there is a killer or killers out there. For now. 'The suspect fled the area prior to police arrival,' police said. Anyone with information is asked to call police at 416-808-7400, or contact Crime Stoppers anonymously at 416-222-TIPS (8477), or at Maybe your call will help solve this horrible murder of a 15-year-old human being who had a name and life before having it stolen from him Saturday. Read More RECOMMENDED VIDEO Toronto Blue Jays Olympics World Celebrity Olympics
Ottawa Citizen
17 hours ago
- Ottawa Citizen
Jewish outrage at RCMP war-crimes probe of Canadian IDF soldiers
The RCMP's 'structural investigation' into whether Canadian citizens serving with the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza may have committed war crimes has sparked outrage in the Jewish community and its leaders, who accuse Ottawa of political targeting. Article content 'It's funny how law enforcement in our cities have watched tens of thousands of people illegally protest and harass Jews while the RCMP tells us they want to play global cop and pour resources into finding bogeyman crimes,' said Toronto-based Israel Ellis, whose son Eitan is an Israeli soldier guarding a humanitarian corridor in Gaza. Article content Article content Article content After a flurry of media reports, the RCMP said in a statement on June 4 that it began investigating in early 2024 whether Canadian citizens were in contravention of this country's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act. Article content Article content The force said it wasn't a criminal investigation, but to 'collect, preserve and assess information' that included 'open-source material and voluntary submissions.' The data may be used in the future, if it meets the legal threshold for prosecution. Article content The RCMP statement did not specify any group, entity, or army by name — such as Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Abu Shabab, PFLP, Muslim Brotherhood, or others, who are fighting in the conflict in and around Israel. But multiple Jewish groups contacted by the National Post said the announcement seemed politically targeted at Canadians who have fought for the IDF. Article content Article content Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, president of Israel-based Shurat HaDin – Israel Law Center, said the Mounties have made an 'unprecedented decision.' Article content Article content 'No other Western democracy is criminally investigating its citizens for fighting alongside an ally, let alone one defending itself from a genocidal terror organization,' she wrote in a statement. Article content The Canadian government 'should focus its pressure on Hamas — the party that initiated this war,' she said, adding her organization will provide 'legal defence and advocacy for those targeted by politically driven investigations.' Article content Hillel Neuer, the Montreal-born executive director of UN Watch, said the investigation is 'nothing less than a moral inversion. It turns Canadian values upside down.' Article content Neuer said that 'for good reason, Ottawa has never prosecuted dual citizens who served with British, French or American forces in fighting ISIS and al-Qaida.' He called it 'unconscionable' that the federal Liberals 'were even contemplating the prosecution of Canadians who fought in defence of civilians against a genocidal terrorist group.'
Vancouver Sun
17 hours ago
- Vancouver Sun
Jewish outrage at RCMP war-crimes probe of Canadian IDF soldiers
The RCMP's 'structural investigation' into whether Canadian citizens serving with the Israel Defense Forces in Gaza may have committed war crimes has sparked outrage in the Jewish community and its leaders, who accuse Ottawa of political targeting. 'It's funny how law enforcement in our cities have watched tens of thousands of people illegally protest and harass Jews while the RCMP tells us they want to play global cop and pour resources into finding bogeyman crimes,' said Toronto-based Israel Ellis, whose son Eitan is an Israeli soldier guarding a humanitarian corridor in Gaza. After a flurry of media reports, the RCMP said in a statement on June 4 that it began investigating in early 2024 whether Canadian citizens were in contravention of this country's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. The force said it wasn't a criminal investigation, but to 'collect, preserve and assess information' that included 'open-source material and voluntary submissions.' The data may be used in the future, if it meets the legal threshold for prosecution. The RCMP statement did not specify any group, entity, or army by name — such as Israel Defense Forces (IDF), Hamas, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, Abu Shabab, PFLP, Muslim Brotherhood, or others, who are fighting in the conflict in and around Israel. But multiple Jewish groups contacted by the National Post said the announcement seemed politically targeted at Canadians who have fought for the IDF. Nitsana Darshan-Leitner, president of Israel-based Shurat HaDin – Israel Law Center, said the Mounties have made an 'unprecedented decision.' 'No other Western democracy is criminally investigating its citizens for fighting alongside an ally, let alone one defending itself from a genocidal terror organization,' she wrote in a statement. The Canadian government 'should focus its pressure on Hamas — the party that initiated this war,' she said, adding her organization will provide 'legal defence and advocacy for those targeted by politically driven investigations.' Hillel Neuer, the Montreal-born executive director of UN Watch, said the investigation is 'nothing less than a moral inversion. It turns Canadian values upside down.' Neuer said that 'for good reason, Ottawa has never prosecuted dual citizens who served with British, French or American forces in fighting ISIS and al-Qaida.' He called it 'unconscionable' that the federal Liberals 'were even contemplating the prosecution of Canadians who fought in defence of civilians against a genocidal terrorist group.' Noy Leyb of Calgary, who recently served in Gaza, told the Post that when Israeli authorities suspect soldiers of wrongdoing, they are tried in court. He questions how the RCMP could acquire a full picture of any military operation. 'How do you know what happened at what time, at what day, for what reason an IDF soldier did what you think they did? You have no clue. You couldn't tell what happened unless you had somebody's body cam,' he said. 'Do you really think that they have all the necessary footage and resources that they need to make a judgment? No, like, stay in your lane. Focus on the issues that you have in Canada.' He noted that about 330 Gazans have come to Canada since the war began on Oct 7, 2023. 'Did anyone check whether they were involved with war crimes or Hamas? I'll bet not.' There are about 7,000 lone soldiers in Israel — those serving from other countries — while an IDF study showed that in 2022, before the current war against Hamas began, there were 51 Canadians. It's the second time this year Ellis thought his son Eitan was being targeted. In an article attacking the IDF for what it called 'ethnic cleansing, war crimes, apartheid and now genocide,' Canadian activist site The Maple published in February a list of 85 Canadian-Israelis, whom it said were current or former Israeli soldiers. Eitan was on the list. 'He doesn't know when or if there's a bullet with his name on it. But I never expected this kind of bullet that would come from my government, and that really tore up my heart. I felt betrayed,' said Ellis, who is author of a recent book about the Hamas-led Oct. 7 attacks. Noah Shack, interim president of the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, in a statement said that 'any suggestion that Israeli-Canadians should be targeted for their service — particularly in a war of self-defence waged by a close ally of Canada — not only represents a cynical distortion of the law, but fuels the violent hatred faced by Israelis and Jews in North America,' which he said included the two U.S. Embassy staffers shot in D.C. and the arson attacks in Colorado. In that respect, he wants to 'encourage authorities to carefully consider the impact on public safety of future statements, given the heightened threat environment faced by our community.' According to the RCMP website, international war crimes investigations are 'large, time consuming and resource intensive.' Canada's Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act provides the legal protocol for suspects to be charged and tried for crimes committed in another country. The site said investigators visit the country and work with local officials to seek eye-witnesses, conduct interviews, as well as search for and analyze evidence — provided they receive consent from the host nation. Michael Bueckert, acting president of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East ( CJPME ), an anti-Israel group, last week wrote an open letter to Justice Minister Sean Fraser, saying that his organization has 'been advocating for such an investigation.' In January, the group sent a letter to Arif Virani, Fraser's predecessor, to seek action against 'Canadian nationals in violations of international law in Gaza.' CJPME 'cautiously welcome' the RCMP probe and said there was 'serious likelihood' that Canadians were 'involved in the commission of crimes against humanity, war crimes and genocide.' The group wants the government to issue warnings to Canadian nationals serving or volunteering with the Israeli military they may be 'criminally liable under the Crimes Against Humanity and War Crimes Act.' They want the Canada Border Services Agency to conduct 'detailed interviews' with Canadian nationals returning from foreign military service, to then share with the International Criminal Court. Gerald Steinberg, president of NGO Monitor, told the Post that the RCMP action could be traced to NGO-led campaigns that 'exploit legal frameworks.' After the RCMP's statement, NGO Monitor produced a study of Canadian anti-Israel organizations that use lawfare against Israel. 'Witch hunts under the facade of 'war crimes investigations' and parroting lies and propaganda will only add to the very real dangers facing Canadian Jews and others who stand with them,' he said. Shai DeLuca, a television personality in Toronto, is a former IDF combat engineer who believes the investigations were at the behest of 'very loud fundamentalist voices that the government is trying to pander to.' Yet, he said, 'nothing has been brought against any Canadian that served in the IDF from a year and a half ago until today. So, you know, I'm not concerned.' There are greater war catastrophes he said the Mounties could be investigating, including in Sudan, Yemen, Syria, and Lebanon. 'It's very important that people understand that service in the IDF during this war is not illegal in Canada, nor is it a war crime,' he added. The IDF is not providing Canada with information about soldiers' actions, he said, 'the same way that Canada would not supply any other country with their sovereign military secrets or operations. 'So the RCMP can pretend all that it wants that it's doing some investigation, but just like they said in that clarified statement, they're opening channels to people who want to send them stuff. Well, you know, people send me stuff all the time. Doesn't make it true.' Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here .
