RCMP ensuring safety after bomb threats to Ottawa hospitals, synagogues

The RCMP said a bomb threat was made to a number of institutions, including synagogues and Ottawa-area hospitals on Wednesday morning.

“We are working with local law enforcement, who are actively responding to ensure locations are safe and secure,” the Mounties said in a statement late afternoon Aug. 21. “Law enforcement is also engaging with faith-based leaders to ensure they have the information and support they need.”

The RCMP said they are investigating the source of the threats. Ottawa police are helping the RCMP with the investigation at “various” Ottawa hospitals.

A statement from The Ottawa Hospital says a bomb threat was made against them “along with the majority of hospitals in the region” early this morning.

“We take all threats extremely seriously and police were called in right away to access the situation,” it reads.

According to the spokesperson, police determined the situation is “low-risk” however officials are following procedures like sweeping the area and ensuring there is no risk.

“Police are taking pre-cautionary measures to ensure public safety while the investigation continues,” a message from officials reads.

The Queensway Carleton Hospital confirmed in an email a similar statement.

“Our Protection Services team has done an extensive sweep of the hospital and grounds, and will continue to work closely with the police,” it reads.

B’nai Brith Canada says more than 100 Jewish institutions received an email at 5 a.m. ET threatening explosions, including at their offices in Toronto and Montreal.

“Given the scope of the institutions targeted from coast to coast, Jewish institutions, as well as hospitals and medical facilities in the Ottawa area, I think that we can say that the intention of whoever is responsible for this threat was to intimidate and harass the Jewish community,” Richard Robertson, director of research and advocacy, at B’nai Brith Canada told CityNews.

According to Robertson all the organizations, institutions and hospitals received the same email.

“It was one mass email to dozens of Jewish institutions across the country and to the hospitals in the Ottawa area,” he said.

Normal operations are continuing at Hôpital Montfort in Ottawa’s east end, a spokesperson told CityNews in a statement.

“Patients who have a scheduled appointments are asked to come in as planned,” it reads. “The search was inconclusive, and police expressed their satisfaction. We continue to work closely with police and regional partners.”

Ottawa police said that the RCMP are the lead on the investigation.