Bomb threats prompt Quebec to warn school officials to stay vigilant

School boards, CEGEPS and universities across the province are expected to open Wednesday morning butare asked to remain vigilant.

Quebec provincial police said this morning that schools and school boardsdo not have to consult with police before opening.

On Tuesday morning, 71 schools in the province and in the Ottawa region receiveda threatening anonymousemail, whichled to evacuations, closures and searches.

Yesterday, the Quebec Educationsent out a letter to school administrators late Tuesday, after police had finished searching dozens of schools for possible bombs.

"The school boards have the responsibility to consult with their police force, which will tell them if it is safe or not. Therefore, the decision [to open schools] is to be taken by the school boards, in collaboration with the police," the notice said.

The threatening messagewas signed by a party identifying itself as the "Red Scepter." The note spoke out against the actions of unionized teachers in Quebec and Ontario, and threatened that bombs would be placed in schools, CEGEPS and buses.

Police did not find a bomb in any of the schools.

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• Quebec CEGEP students on edge after schools receive bomb threats

Some schools have already confirmed there will be heightened security:

• In Montreal, Dawson College told CBC that the CEGEP would be in a "state of vigilance" in the coming days.
• John Abbott College on Montreal's West Island will have increased campus security.
• The province's two largest English-language school boards, the English Montreal School Board (EMSB)and Lester B. Pearson School Board (LBPSB)said they will be following the recommendations of police.

Besides remaining vigilant, the education ministry also advised school administrators to check their email inboxes regularly, and to call police with any questions.

Police continue to investigate.

Quebec Premier Philippe Couillardsaidthat those responsible for bomb threats will be prosecuted.

Interim Quebec Security Minister Pierre Moreau said the incident will be treated as a "terrorist act."