Police in Nova Scotia say a youth in the town of Bridgewater and one from Manitoba were allegedly planning simultaneous attacks at their local schools. A Bridgewater, N.S. sign is seen on Saturday, July 30, 2016. THE CANADIAN PRESS

By The Canadian Press

Manitoba, Nova Scotia teens accused of planning simultaneous school attacks

Mar 18, 2026 | 11:56 AM

Police say a 14-year-old in Manitoba and a 15-year-old in Nova Scotia are facing charges after allegedly plotting simultaneous attacks at their rural schools.

They say officers received information Friday from Interpol and the FBI that two teens had been talking online about their desire to attack the schools in Rivers, Man., and Bridgewater, N.S.

Mounties pulled over a school bus on Monday arrested the boy in Manitoba.

Officers say they seized electronic devices from the teen and from his home, as well as two firearms owned by a relative.

On Tuesday, officers say they searched a Bridgewater home and found handwritten plans, imitation weapons, a roughly made imitation pipe bomb and assault rifle, and clothing with hate symbols.

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The teen there — charged with conspiracy to commit murder and uttering threats — has been arraigned in court and a bail hearing is set for next week.

Police said they’re investigating whether hate crime and other offences could also be laid.

The Manitoba youth has been charged with uttering threats, and RCMP said additional charges are also possible.

Neither teen can be identified under the Youth Criminal Justice Act.

Bridgewater, about 100 kilometres southwest of Halifax, is a regional centre for other nearby towns and villages.

The organization that oversees the Grade 10-12 Park View Education Centre in Bridgewater, with about 880 students, said in an email that it was notified by police about the arrest.

“We have arranged for additional support to be available at the school next week for students and have reminded staff of the range of available resources,” said Ashley Dixon with South Shore Regional Centre for Education.

Rivers Collegiate is a Grade 7-12 school in the community about 250 kilometres west of Winnipeg. Its website says it has about 140 students.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published March 18, 2026.

Brittany Hobson and Devin Stevens, The Canadian Press