Early Wednesday morning, dozens of Jewish institutions across Canada, including several in Montreal, were targeted by a threatening email, prompting police investigations in multiple cities as well as by the RCMP.
The email, sent at approximately 5 a.m., threatened explosions at more than 100 synagogues, Jewish community centres, hospitals, and other Jewish institutions across the country, according to a spokesperson for the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA). The email prompted a wave of emergency responses from police departments and security teams.
In Montreal, a 911 call was received at 7:10 a.m. from a synagogue in Hampstead, reporting that the building had received an email claiming bombs had been placed inside. Montreal police officers, led by Cst. Sabrina Gauthier, quickly responded by conducting thorough searches of both the interior and exterior of the building. “The team did not detect any immediate threats,” said Gauthier, who also noted that similar emails had been received by other Jewish establishments across Montreal. The police are actively verifying each location as part of their ongoing investigation.
The impact of the threat was felt across the country, with Jewish institutions in Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and other cities confirming they had received the same email. Synagogues, Jewish community centres, and hospitals were among the targeted locations. In Toronto, police searched buildings on Bathurst Street and Sheppard Avenue West after bomb threats were received, but no threats were found after evacuation and inspection.
Ottawa police responded by being present at several hospitals, although the RCMP has taken the lead in the nationwide investigation. A spokeswoman from the Queensway Carleton Hospital in Ottawa confirmed that the police had conducted a thorough sweep of the hospital and grounds but assessed the situation as “low risk.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau condemned the threats in a statement on the social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter. “I’m disgusted at reports that more than 100 Jewish institutions across Canada were targeted by threats today. This is blatant antisemitism,” Trudeau said, adding that the RCMP is in contact with local law enforcement agencies to ensure the safety of Jewish Canadians.
Julien Corona, a spokesperson for CIJA, emphasized the emotional and psychological impact of the threats. “They want to scare in a way that is quite emotional, quite visual.… By referencing disgusting things, the goal is to intimidate so that the Jewish community does not feel safe where it is supposed to feel safe,” Corona said, highlighting the growing concern over rising antisemitism in Canada.
The RCMP is leading a Canada-wide investigation into the email threats, though it remains unclear which specific department is handling the probe. The investigation is ongoing, with authorities working closely with Jewish communities, synagogues, and other institutions to ensure safety and security.
This incident comes amid an alarming rise in hate crimes, particularly against Jewish communities in Canada. As the investigation continues, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the growing need to address and combat antisemitism and hate-motivated violence across the country.
The Jewish community, supported by organizations like CIJA and B’nai Brith Canada, is working with law enforcement to navigate this challenging time, ensuring that Jewish Canadians can feel safe in their places of worship, community centers, and other institutions.
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CIJA spokesperson Julien Corona said the email appears to have been sent to cause widespread fear in Canadian Jewish communities.
“They want to scare in a way that is quite emotional, quite visual.… By referencing disgusting things, the goal is to intimidate so that the Jewish community does not feel safe where it is supposed to feel safe,” Corona said in an interview.
“It’s unacceptable and it is also proof of the rising antisemitism in our country.”
CBC News has viewed a screenshot of the email, which contains violent death threats.
Corona said CIJA is in close contact with police, Federation CJA and its community partners, which he said include all synagogues and Jewish community centres in the city.
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