Ontario Provincial Police are aware of evacuations at schools in eastern Ontario after several bomb threats were made across the province.
Schools in the Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l’Est ontarien (CSDCEO), have been evacuated, along with numerous schools in northern Ontario.
Ontario Provincial Police are aware of evacuations at schools in eastern Ontario after several bomb threats were made across the province.
Schools in the Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l’Est ontarien (CSDCEO), have been evacuated, along with numerous schools in northern Ontario.
“The threats targeted multiple schools under multiple school boards and other facilities, demanding payment,” OPP said in a news release.
Police said local officers and the OPP Cybercrime Investigations Team are engaged. Police encouraged concerned parents and guardians to contact schools directly for more information.
The CSDCEO said in a statement that it was one of several boards that received a thread.
“Several Ontario school boards received a bomb threat email today,” the board said, in French. “The CSDCEO takes this type of threat seriously. As a safety measure, all students and staff in our schools have been directed to places of refuge within our communities. Since then, in collaboration with the police forces, it has been agreed that the students can return to their school. CSDCEO schools will be open tomorrow.”
The CSDCEO has 32 schools in eastern Ontario, in communities such as Embrun, Cornwall, Rockland, and Limoges, among others.
The Cornwall Police Service said it is also aware of the situation but is not disclosing specifics. Police said the board has sent a letter to parents indicating further action.
Students from École secondaire catholique Embrun who spoke to CTV News Ottawa at the scene said they were told to evacuate but were not given any details about why.
Syvlie Bourbonnais said her son called her to say that the school was being evacuated.
“They were told that apparently there was a bomb threat for catholic schools,” she said. “That’s all we know. We didn’t get contacted by the school or the board, it was just the kids calling us.”
The Upper Canada District School Board (UCDSB), a public school board in the region, said in a statement that although no threats have been made to any UCDSB schools, it is taking additional precautions Wednesday.
“All external doors will be locked, which will be a change at our secondary schools, and extra attention will be paid to those who are seeking to enter the building,” the board said. “Students will also be kept indoors for the remainder of the day, however dismissals and pick-up routines will continue as usual.”
The Conseil des écoles catholiques du Centre-Est (CECCE), which has schools in Ottawa, said it also received a bomb threat email, but said that Ottawa police recommended against closing or evacuating schools.
“The Police department will continue the investigation and will keep the administration informed. Rest assured, dear parents and guardians, that the safety and well-being students and staff are our priority,” a note to families said in French.
CTV News Ottawa has reached out to Ottawa police for more details about the local investigation.
Numerous bomb threats in northern Ontario were made overnight. OPP said the threats targeted schools across northeast and northwest regions, demanding payment. Affected schools have been closed as a precaution.
No evidence of any devices has been found, police said.
Toronto police also said Wednesday that three schools in the city’s west end were evacuated over bomb threats. It is unclear if these threats are linked to the threats in eastern and northern Ontario.
–With files from CTV News Ottawa’s Jackie Perez.
