Antisemitism in Canada

Antisemitism targets people who are or are perceived to be Jewish. Antisemitism continues to persist in Canada, manifesting itself in different ways: vandalism and graffiti, circulation of hate propaganda, intolerant and racist statements, bomb threats to Jewish schools and community centres, etc. Hate crimes against Jewish people increased by 71% between 2022 and 2023 for a total of 900 crimes reported to the police.

Canada and the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance

Canada joined the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in 2009 and adopted its non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism in 2019, as part of Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2019–2022. This definition serves as the foundation of the federal government’s engagement with Jewish communities and its work to tackle antisemitism.

Canadian Handbook on the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism

Developed by the Office of the Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, this Handbook is intended to clarify the IHRA non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism. The Handbook identifies and describes the different forms that antisemitism takes in Canada using contemporary examples, and informs the public on the practical application of the IHRA definition. The content of the guide does not constitute a legal opinion or a legislative interpretation of antisemitism.

Read the Canadian Handbook on the IHRA Working Definition of Antisemitism.