As global conflicts continue to escalate, a new survey suggests that tensions between communities in Canada—particularly between Muslim and Jewish Canadians—are weighing heavily on the public’s mind.
A Leger Marketing poll conducted between January 17 and 19, 2025, found that 43 percent of Canadians believe relations between Muslim and Jewish Canadians are “bad.” This was the most negative perception among all intergroup relations measured in the survey.
Jack Jedwab, president of the Metropolis Institute and the Association for Canadian Studies, told the Canadian Press that these perceptions have worsened significantly since the Hamas attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, which triggered the ongoing war in Gaza.
“I think it’s largely driven by events post-October 7,” Jedwab explained. “The issue arising from that is: is there something that needs to be done to try to improve that relationship?”
The survey found that perspectives varied across demographics. Younger Canadians aged 18-34 were the least likely to view Muslim-Jewish relations as bad (34 percent), while nearly half (49 percent) of those 55 and older shared this view. Regional differences were also notable—48 percent of Quebec respondents said the relationship was bad, while Alberta had the most optimistic outlook, with only 38 percent holding the same opinion.
Despite the concerns, 25 percent of respondents said they viewed relations between the two communities as good, while 32 percent were unsure or declined to answer.
Community leaders and experts weighed in on the findings, emphasizing the need for action to combat division and misunderstanding.
Amira Elghawaby, Canada’s special representative on combating Islamophobia, described the results as reflective of rising polarization, hate crimes, and disinformation. “The need for Canadians to come together to combat harmful narratives and better get to know one another remains urgent,” she said.
Deborah Lyons, Canada’s special envoy on combating antisemitism, noted that real-life interactions between Jewish and Muslim Canadians often contradict these perceptions. “In truth, these communities share far more in common than many assume, including resilience and perseverance in combating hate and discrimination,” she said.
Richard Robertson, director of research and advocacy at B’nai Brith Canada, called the survey results “concerning” and urged stronger action against divisive rhetoric and protests. “The strongest Canada is a Canada where all like-minded individuals from all faiths and cultural backgrounds are united in the betterment of our country,” he said.
Meanwhile, Michael Bueckert, interim president of Canadians for Justice and Peace in the Middle East, cautioned against framing tensions in Canada as a “Jewish-vs-Muslim issue.” He argued that conflicts over Israel’s actions in Gaza should be viewed as political rather than religious in nature.
While the survey underscores anxieties over interfaith relations, some see a hopeful sign in the generational divide— younger Canadians are less likely to view relations as poor, suggesting the possibility of a more united future.