Regional police forces in Ontario have launched investigations after an email threatening to kill Muslims was sent to several Islamic private schools across Canada, officials said Friday. The message, which targeted students and staff at schools operated by the Muslim Association of Canada, prompted increased patrols near mosques and schools and coordination with federal authorities.
Threat described in email and scope of response
The email, which the Muslim Association of Canada said it alerted police about, came from an account titled exposingNWO@protonmail.com and identified the sender as "Jehu, Citizen Vigilante." It was time-stamped Sept. 20. The message used dehumanizing language and warned that Muslims would be "deported or slaughtered" should Alberta pursue secession, adding: "you won't be warned again."
"Millions on top of millions of people in the nation of Canada are ready to take up arms," the message said.
Officials described the email as a threat that could amount to several potential offences under the Criminal Code, including uttering threats, criminal harassment and inciting willful hatred. Municipal police services and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police were notified by the association, which runs nine private schools following provincial curricula alongside Islamic, Qur'anic and Arabic instruction.
Ontario police step up presence
In the Greater Toronto Area, Peel Regional Police said its hate crime unit is actively investigating and has increased officer presence overnight near local mosques and schools. Patrols were to continue through the weekend. Waterloo Regional Police confirmed officers visited a school after receiving notification of the emailed threat.
The London Police Service also issued a statement saying it is investigating a threat to a local school and is "collaborating with partner law enforcement agencies to gather information and assess any potential connections." The RCMP and multiple municipal forces in Ontario and Quebec have been contacted as part of the response.
How schools and communities are responding
The Muslim Association of Canada said it reported the email to law enforcement in Ontario, Vancouver and Montreal, as well as the RCMP. Authorities have not publicly linked the message to any group or individual beyond the sender name and the ProtonMail account.
School operators and local police have not indicated any immediate physical attack occurred, but the tone and specificity of the message prompted stepped-up security and investigations to determine whether the threat is credible and whether charges should be laid.
What investigators say and next steps
Investigators will likely work to trace the email's origin, examine any digital footprints and assess whether the content constitutes an actionable threat. Police statements referenced collaboration across jurisdictions and a review of potential Criminal Code offences.
- Who was targeted: Nine private Islamic schools run by the Muslim Association of Canada.
- When: Email was time-stamped Sept. 20 and reported to police on Thursday.
- Police action: Multiple regional forces investigating; RCMP notified; enhanced patrols near mosques and schools.
| Police service | Action reported |
|---|---|
| Peel Regional Police | Hate crime unit investigating; increased officer presence near mosques and schools |
| Waterloo Regional Police | Officers visited school after notification |
| London Police Service | Investigating threat to local school; collaborating with other agencies |
For parents, students and staff, police recommend reporting any suspicious activity, preserving threatening communications and following guidance issued by local school administrators. The Muslim Association of Canada has urged members and the public to remain vigilant and to report concerns to police.
As investigations proceed, authorities have not released details about suspects or whether any arrests are expected. The cross-country nature of the emailed threat has prompted co-operation among local forces and federal agencies to determine source, motive and risk level.
Coverage will continue as police provide updates about investigative findings and any measures taken to protect schools and places of worship.
