It appears the last mentally ill “lone wolf” who went on a 2016 rampage in Toronto will be free in no time.

By Michele Mandel, Toronto Star, July 26, 2018:

In a shocking decision, Ayanle Hassan Ali — a man with schizophrenia found not criminally responsible for the attempted murder of three soldiers at the Canadian Forces recruiting centre in North York — has already been cleared to leave the secure unit of his Hamilton hospital this year on passes into the community, including forays that aren’t even directly supervised.

This follows Ali’s first hearing before the Ontario Review Board earlier this month after a court found him NCR due to his mental disorder, but acquitted him on terrorism charges. The federal Crown is currently appealing that decision, still arguing that a “lone wolf” falls under Canada’s anti-terror laws.

According to the recently released disposition, Ali has been ordered detained in the secure forensic unit at St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton for treatment and rehabilitation. In the upcoming year, the person in charge “may permit” Ali to enter the community in “southern Ontario” while accompanied by staff or someone approved by the hospital.

More worrying is the last condition available for Ali if the hospital agrees: to enter the “community of Hamilton, within a 2 km. radius of St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton-West 5th Campus, for education purposes only, indirectly supervised.”

“Indirectly supervised?” How is that Ali is already being fast-tracked to freedom after only his very first ORB hearing? On the heels of the conditional discharge of cop killer Richard Kachkar, is it any wonder that many have little confidence in a system that is so quick to release people deemed dangerous to society?

The reasons for the board’s decision on Ali will be released in a week or so, according to an ORB spokesman.

The ORB’s mandate is to impose the least onerous conditions while maintaining public safety. But are we to feel secure that they’re already willing to allow him into the community just two years after this very sick man could have killed three soldiers?

On Mar. 14, 2016, Ali forced his way into the Yonge St. recruiting centre intent on becoming a jihadi martyr.