Some two-thirds of Canadians agree that the Holocaust stands apart from other genocides

February 20, 2025

On January 27, 2025 ceremonies will be held in several countries to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. The anniversary comes at a time when there are increasing efforts by influencers and thought leaders to dilute and challenge the Jewish dimension of the Holocaust. Many academics insist that on a current consensus that sees the Holocaust not as unique amongst other genocides and insist that it is essential to make the link between the Nazi and other genocides, and between mass killings in Europe and on others on ‘colonial’ frontiers around the globe. But the same scholars acknowledge that their so-called consensus is not widely accepted by the public. On that front at least they’re correct as a survey conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies reveals that some two-thirds of “Canadians agree that the Holocaust was a genocide in the 20th century that stands apart from all others” The survey further reveals that one in three Canadians admit not having a good knowledge about the Holocaust and the figure is higher for persons age 18-24. The study was conducted to mark the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz. Some 1578 Canadians were surveyed over the period January 17 and 19, 2025. A margin of error cannot be associated with a non-probability sample in a panel survey for comparison purposes. A probability sample of 1578 respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.5%, 19 times out of 20.