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The RCMP are among more than a half-dozen police forces probing a threat sent to Islamic schools across the country, the national police force confirmed to CBC News.
“Law enforcement agencies are working collaboratively with school leadership to investigate the reported threats and assess all available information,” the RCMP said in a statement on Monday afternoon.
“We remain committed to public safety and encourage anyone with information or concerns to report them to police.”
The RCMP said their northwest region is looking into the note, a division that covers the Prairie provinces as well as the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
As of Friday, the note was sent to multiple schools in the Muslim Association of Canada’s network, mostly in Ontario but also in Montreal and Vancouver.
The RCMP did not have an immediate explanation as to why the northwest region is involved in the investigation, though a section of the note, seen by CBC News, alludes to the upcoming Alberta referendum that includes a question about an eventual secession vote, stating Muslims will be “deported or slaughtered” once “Alberta becomes its own nation.”
Police in Ottawa, Waterloo Region, Peel Region, London, Ont., and Montreal all told CBC News they were involved in investigations last week. Schools in their jurisdictions received the threatening note, which uses dehumanizing language against Muslims.
On Monday, Vancouver police also said in a statement they are investigating and have increased patrols across the city.
In their release, the RCMP mentioned “investigators have no information to suggest an imminent threat; however, members of the public are encouraged to remain vigilant.”
Politicians condemn email
Some federal and municipal elected officials condemned the email after CBC News published the initial story on Friday, including federal Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree.
In a statement, Anandasangaree’s office said the government is “deeply disturbed by the threats directed at Islamic schools and the fear they have caused students, families, educators and Muslim communities across Canada,” adding “Canadians must stand together against Islamophobia and all forms of hate.”
Liberal MP Iqra Khalid said she is appalled by the threats.
“Two of my own nieces attend one of the schools that received threatening messages,” she said in a statement.
The MP for Mississauga-Erin Mills said the threats must be taken seriously and “those responsible must be held accountable.”
Mississauga Mayor Carolyn Parrish called the threats “incredibly disturbing,” and said threatening children is “especially despicable.”
Ottawa Mayor Mark Sutcliffe also said he is “deeply troubled” by the messages.
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