Schools across Ontario have responded to several bomb threats over the last few days, resulting evacuations and investigations by local police.
The threats, where recognized, which involved both religious and non-religious schools, including English and French Catholic boards, and at least one Jewish school.
Recently in a news release, the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said that they are investigating many bomb threats across the parts of northern and eastern Ontario, with the threats targeting several schools under many school boards and other facilities, demanding for payment.
The OPP said that, they have not found any devices or indication which is anything beyond a threat, but the security and safety of all, including students, will be a top priority.
According to the statement the investigation is ongoing. Any questions about the schools should be directed to the schools or school boards.
The police advised for all four school boards serving the Timmins area in northern Ontario, as well as people surrounding the city to close for a day.
In Burlington a high school near Hamilton also evacuated because of the threat. A Toronto police spokesperson said the service is aware of the other threats against schools in Ontario.
Police said that, at this point, it’s too early to say if the incidents are connected, but we will still continue to investigate. In eastern Ontario, the rural French Catholic schools evacuated after receiving a bomb threat.
And the previous day, the Ottawa Jewish Community School said it got an anonymous bomb threat, and this was investigated by the Ottawa Police Service.
The police service conducted an on-scene investigation and determined there was no threat to the school or the neighboring Soloway Jewish Community Centre.
They were not sure if the incident is related to the other threats. But the head of the school said it is a tragic reminder that the Jewish community must be alert at a time of increased antisemitism, and not only the Middle East, but also in Canada and around the world.
Ottawa Police Chief Eric Stubbs addressed, in a statement that, there are reports of many concerning hate-motivated criminal incidents which are targeting Jewish and Muslim community members within the last few weeks. Over the last few weeks, both Muslim and Jewish organizations across the country have spoken about the looming risk of hate crimes. As a result of the war, leading to heightened security at some synagogues, schools, mosques and community centers.
