Eleven Toronto high schools received bomb threats Monday morning that triggered evacuations and lockdowns across the city. Police investigated each threat and determined none were credible.
The threats came through voicemails believed to be from the same person, according to Ashley Visser, a Toronto police media relations officer. Marc Garneau Collegiate in North York was evacuated while five other schools went into hold-and-secure procedures.
Police first responded to Marc Garneau Collegiate around 8 a.m. and Winston Churchill Collegiate in Scarborough at 10 a.m. Officers attended all 11 locations and deemed the threats "unfounded" within hours.
Which toronto schools received threats?
The Toronto District School Board (TDSB) confirmed these schools received the threats: William Lyon Mackenzie Collegiate Institute, Marc Garneau Collegiate Institute, Wexford Collegiate School for the Arts, York Mills Collegiate Institute, York Humber High School, Winston Churchill Collegiate Institute, Leaside High School, Monarch Park Collegiate Institute, Maplewood High School, Yorkdale Adult Learning Centre, and West End Alternative School.
"Our understanding is five of the schools went into hold and secures, timing varied at each site," said TDSB spokesperson Emma Moynihan. Letters sent home from each school stated they were made aware of a possible bomb threat.
The decision to evacuate, implement hold-and-secure, or shelter in place rested with individual schools. Police said each school chose its response based on its specific circumstances.
While it doesn't happen often, it has happened previously.
How did schools respond to the threats?
Marc Garneau Collegiate evacuated all students and staff from the building. Five other schools implemented hold-and-secure procedures, keeping students inside classrooms with doors locked while normal activities continued.
The remaining schools did not implement formal lockdown procedures. Police explained that schools have discretion in choosing their safety response based on the nature of the threat and their assessment of the situation.
Parents received notification letters from affected schools describing the incident. The TDSB confirmed this type of multi-school threat is unusual but not unprecedented in Toronto.
What are police doing about the investigation?
Toronto police continue investigating the source of the voicemail threats. Visser confirmed officers believe one person made all 11 calls to the different schools Monday morning.
"Officers attended all the locations, investigated, and deemed that there was no credible threat," Visser said. The investigation remains ongoing as police work to identify who made the calls.
Similar threats have occurred at schools across Canada recently. Last week, classes were cancelled at Windsor Park Collegiate in Winnipeg due to a threat. Two teens were arrested in Kitchener after making online threats to an elementary school.
How are schools preparing for future threats?
The TDSB works with Toronto police to ensure schools have updated safety protocols. Each school maintains emergency response plans that include procedures for bomb threats, lockdowns, and hold-and-secure situations.
Schools regularly practice these procedures with students and staff. The board reviews and updates protocols based on incidents like Monday's threats to improve response times and communication with parents.
Parents concerned about school safety can contact their school's administration for information about specific emergency procedures. The TDSB also provides safety resources and guidelines on its website.
What happens next for affected schools?
All 11 schools resumed normal operations after police cleared the threats. Students returned to classes and regular schedules continued for the remainder of Monday.
The TDSB said it would review the incident with school administrators to identify any improvements needed in emergency response procedures. Individual schools may hold assemblies or provide counselling services for students affected by the evacuations and lockdowns.
Police asked anyone with information about the threats to contact them. The investigation continues as officers work to prevent similar incidents from disrupting Toronto schools.
