Jews in Canada: Respect, Trust, Shared Values and the Roots of Prejudice

Understanding prejudice requires looking beyond overt hostility to the stereotypes, distrust, perceptions of limited shared values and collective blame that can shape attitudes toward minority groups. The ACS–EKOS survey examines these related dimensions to better understand how anti-Jewish prejudice is expressed. Nationally, 85% (49% very much and 36% somewhat) of Canadians report respect for Jews, as regards trust some 72% say they trust Jews (29% very much and 43% somewhat), some 70% perceive shared values with Jews (24% very much and 46% somewhat) and 60% report contact often (21%) or sometimes (38%). Although these national proportions differ, cross-tabulations show that low respect, distrust and perceptions of limited shared values frequently intersect. Among respondents who expressed little or no respect for Jews, we asked them to explain in one or two sentences why they felt that way. We analyzed their own statements to identify, define and disaggregate the prejudices underlying low respect, assigning each response a primary theme while recognizing that explanations may overlap. Of the 100 explanations examined, collective responsibility for Israel’s actions was the largest category (41 responses). Because the question concerned respect for Jews rather than opinions of Israel, blaming Jews for Israeli conduct represents an attribution of responsibility to Jews collectively. The selected 100 responses are exploratory, not a nationally representative estimate of these prejudices. The study is released amid a documented escalation in antisemitism since October 7, 2023. Statistics Canada recorded 527 police-reported hate crimes targeting Jews in 2022, 959 in 2023 and 920 in 2024; B’nai Brith Canada recorded 6,219 antisemitic incidents in 2024 and 6,800 in 2025. The ADL reported that 58% of U.S. antisemitic incidents in 2024 involved Israel or Zionism elements. These indicators establish a broader increase in antisemitism, but do not directly measure change over time in collective blame toward Jews for Israeli actions.