Police probe death threats emailed to Muslim schools

Multiple police services are investigating an anonymous email that threatened violence against Muslims and was sent to nine private schools run by the Muslim Association of Canada in Ontario, British Columbia and Quebec. MAC said it alerted the RCMP and municipal police in Ontario, Vancouver and Montreal after schools received the message, time-stamped Sept. 20 and signed “Jehu, Citizen Vigilante.”

The email used dehumanizing language, threatened that Muslims would be “deported or slaughtered,” and referenced Alberta’s upcoming referendum in its rhetoric. MAC said there is no indication of an imminent or specific threat, but security protocols were activated and schools continued to operate. Spokesperson Nabil Sultan said a single note targeting many schools was unprecedented for the organization.

Peel Regional Police said its hate-crime unit is investigating and increased patrols near mosques and schools. Ottawa, London and Waterloo police, and Montreal’s hate-crime unit, also confirmed investigations or awareness. Ottawa police said they had no information indicating a specific or imminent threat. Public Safety Minister Gary Anandasangaree said such threats are unacceptable and have no place in Canada.