Schools across Ontario close in response to bomb threats; connection unclear

Schools across Ontario have responded to multiple threats over the last couple of days, prompting evacuations and investigations by local police.

Schools across Ontario have responded to multiple bomb threats over the last couple of days, prompting evacuations and investigations by local police.

The threats, where identified, involved both religious and non-religious schools, including English and French Catholic boards, and at least one Jewish school.

The Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) said in a news release Wednesday that it is "investigating multiple bomb threats across parts of northern and eastern Ontario, with the threats targeting multiple schools under multiple school boards and other facilities, demanding payment."

The OPP said on X, formerly Twitter, that it has "found no devices and no indication this is anything beyond a threat, but the safety and security of everyone, including students, is a top priority."

"The investigation is ongoing. Any questions about the schools should be directed to the schools or school boards," the statement adds.

All four school boards serving the Timmins area in northern Ontario, as well as communities surrounding the city, closed for the day at the advice of police.

Three schools in the Greater Toronto Area also received bomb threats Wednesday afternoon, which led to their evacuations. Police later said that the three schools were "swept and cleared" with no bombs located.