Rural French Catholic schools in eastern Ontario evacuated after threats across province

There were some frightening moments for students and parents in eastern Ontario Wednesday, after schools in one of the local French Catholic school boards were evacuated over bomb threats.

Schools in the Conseil scolaire de district catholique de l'Est ontarien (CSDCEO), were evacuated, alongside numerous schools in northern Ontario.

Ontario Provincial Police say threats were made across the province.

"The threats targeted multiple schools under multiple school boards and other facilities, demanding payment," OPP said in a news release. No explosive devices have been found, police confirmed.

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 threat.

"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 during the lunch hour, but they 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."

Other school boards respond to threats

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 was 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.

The Ottawa Police Service said in a post on X that it was aware of the threats, but stressed there is no risk to public safety.

"Officers were deployed, and investigators have been engaged," police said. "We are taking these incidents seriously; however, there is currently no threat to public safety."

Numerous bomb threats in northern Ontario were made overnight. OPP said the threats targeted schools across northeast and northwest regions, demanding payment. Affected schools were 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.

• The information you need to know, sent directly to you: Download the CTV News App
• Sign up now for our nightly CTV News Ottawa newsletter