Family of slain firefighter pushes for CAMH release rules
Widow of Markham firefighter Dominic Parker calls for transparency after man found not criminally responsible in his death is released to Parkdale.
Thirteen years after her husband was stabbed to death in an unprovoked attack, Zilla Parker is fighting to change how Ontario's forensic mental health system releases people found not criminally responsible.
Dominic Parker, an off-duty Markham firefighter, was killed in 2013 at a café near Danforth and Coxwell avenues. His attacker, Nabil Huruy, was found not criminally responsible after being diagnosed with schizophrenia and cannabis use disorder. After treatment at the Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), the Ontario Review Board approved easing his restrictions, and he was released into the Parkdale community within the past year under a care plan.
Zilla Parker says she was not consulted about the move and learned that Huruy is now living on the same street as a close family member — a discovery that forced her to stop visiting with them.
"The anxiety of this every day, worrying about, is my family gonna run into him? Am I gonna run into him?" she told CityNews.
While she emphasizes she's not seeking revenge — "an eye-for-an-eye leaves the whole world blind" — Parker is calling for greater transparency and victim notification in the release process. A petition has been launched, and the family is sharing their story publicly in hopes of prompting systemic change.
In a statement, Dr. Treena Wilkie, head of forensic sciences at CAMH, acknowledged the situation is "deeply distressing for victims and families" but could not address the individual case due to patient confidentiality. She said the forensic discharge process is "carefully developed and subject to rigorous review."
The Parker family's push reflects a gap in victims' rights and community safety protocols that has drawn attention from advocates and city officials alike.