Suspicious package or letter

Here are the safety instructions to follow if you receive a suspicious package or letter.

If you discover a suspicious package or letter

  • Avoid handling and touching it, leave it in place and keep people away from it.
  • Leave the premises by closing the doors, and warn anyone passing by.
  • Immediately notify the person in charge by calling:
    • Gaspé Campus: 418 368-2201, poste 8888 
    • Magdalen Islands Campus: 418 986-5187, poste 2222 
    • Carleton-sur-Mer Campus: 418 364-3341, poste 4444 
    • École des pêches et de l’aquaculture du Québec: 418 385-2241, poste 3333 
    • Montreal Campus: 1 888 368-2201, poste 7777 
  • If necessary, call 911.
  • Follow the instructions given to you by the person in charge or the police authorities.

What is a suspicious package?

A suspicious package may take the form of a backpack, suitcase, box, or bag, apparently ownerless and abandoned in a public place.

What is a suspicious letter?

A suspicious letter is usually mail that may contain a chemical, biological, radioactive, or nuclear substance. Pay attention to anything that seems unusual: indecipherable return address, excessive postage, inaccurate or incomplete address, irregularly shaped envelope or one that feels odd to the touch, restrictive wording such as Personal, etc.

The whole process of detecting a suspicious parcel or letter must be carried out with caution. You need to distinguish between what is normal and what is not, and not be overly alarmed by the number of items you receive. The following list is a series of guidelines to help you assess the risk.

Here are some clues to help you identify a suspicious package or letter:

  • Unexpected letter or parcel.
  • Excessive weight for the size of the envelope or parcel.
  • Restrictive terms: confidential, personal, urgent, for immediate delivery, hand-delivered, etc.
  • Address consisting of cut-out and glued letters.
  • Presence of powder or abrasives.