Numerous schools in Ontario received bomb threats. Here’s what we know

Police in Ontario are working to investigate after numerous bomb threats were called into schools across the province, prompting warnings and evacuations.

The total number of schools impacted by bomb threats on Wednesday was not clear, according to Ontario Provincial Police (OPP), who said the threats stretched from parts of the north to the east.

Bomb threats were also reported by other police forces in the province, including in Toronto and Halton Region.

With questions continuing to swirl and police across Ontario working to look into the various threats, here is what we know so far:

Multiple schools in northern and eastern Ontario were evacuated Wednesday afternoon after receiving bomb threats from people “demanding money” OPP said.

Bill Dickson, OPP media relations manager, said in an email that many schools in Ontario were impacted, but the total number was unclear.

He said in the email that most of the impacted schools were in the north of the province.

“The threats had impacted schools across northern Ontario, so as far north as the province stretches. In the east, to the Quebec border,” Dickson said in an email.

Police said the threats targeted multiple schools under multiple school boards and other facilities, demanding payment.

In a post on Facebook, for example, a Timmins, Ont., school board reported it had received a bomb threat and closed all its schools as a precaution.

Police said many of the targeted schools and facilities in the province have been closed while the investigation continues. As of 4 p.m. Wednesday, no actual devices had been found, police said.

Police would not say how many institutions are impacted, but are encouraging parents to contact their schools or school boards for more information.

Police forces in both Halton Region and Toronto also reported threats made to schools on Wednesday, although it was not immediately clear if they were connected.

Around 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Toronto police said “several” schools in the city had received bomb threats and were being evacuated. Investigators said the threats were made over the phone.

Toronto police announced a sweep of all schools was taking place out of “an abundance of caution.”

In a letter to parents, the Toronto District School Board said it had “no reason to believe that this threat was credible” but takes all threats seriously.

“Police have now confirmed there is no credible threat to our school community,” the letter said.

Halton police also said a bomb threat had been made to a school in Burlington, Ont. “The school has been evacuated and there are no reports of any injuries,” police said in a social media post.

It remains unclear if the bomb threats received by schools across the province Wednesday are connected.

Different police forces independently confirmed the local bomb threats at schools in their area but did not immediately say if they were connected.

While OPP suggested threats in northern and eastern Ontario came with financial demands, social media posts by Toronto-area police forces did not report that detail, for example.

Dickson with OPP said that the force could not speculate on a connection.

“That is part of the ongoing investigation and we can’t speculate,” he said in an email when asked if the threats were connected.

He did suggest police forces may be working together through the investigations and threats.

“Law enforcement agencies in Ontario regularly work together on incidents,” Dickson said. “Criminals do not respect municipal boundaries.”

With some schools shut on Wednesday, it remains unclear how the potential threat will be treated into Thursday morning and if more schools could close.

Dickson said OPP had not found any devices or “other physical evidence” to suggest the threats were legitimate but that “every measure of caution must be taken.”

He said that, although most threats were to schools, some other “facilities” were targeted.

“Decisions to close or evacuate schools are undertaken by the schools and school boards, in consultation with law enforcement,” Dickson said.

Toronto police said on Wednesday afternoon that a sweep of schools had found no bombs.

Officers with OPP’s cybercrime investigations team are among those probing the threats.

Anyone with information is urged to contact the OPP at 1-888-310-1122 or Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).