An email threatening dozens of schools in Quebec forced local authorities to conduct bomb sweeps and increase police presence in several parts of the province Nov. 3.
Quebec’s acting public security minister said a single email was sent to 61 institutions, including primary schools, secondary schools and some junior colleges, according to ctvnews.ca.
The email said bombs would be planted over the course of the week until Nov. 6, although police searches have turned up nothing so far. Quebec Provincial Police have cleared 53 schools and continue to investigate the emails.
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Many schools closed down after receiving the threat and some shut down for the day.
The emails, which were written by a group calling themselves “Red Sceptre”, criticized teachers and their union and complained about the quality of education. The government and teachers’ unions are currently in the middle of labor negotiations.
The Toronto District School Board also received a bomb threat, but no schools were locked down or evacuated.