TORONTO — Canadian Jews and permanent residents concluded online voting June 5–15 to elect 19 delegates to the 39th World Zionist Congress under rules set by the Canadian Area Election Committee (AEC). Preliminary results released by the AEC show the United for Israel slate winning the largest share of votes, with final certification due June 18.
Voters were required to self-identify as Jewish, affirm the Jerusalem Program’s principles, and hold Canadian citizenship or permanent residency. A C$2 fee covered ballot administration and the mandatory “Zionist Shekel” for delegate seating.
Ballots offered nine competing slates, each representing distinct currents within the Zionist movement. In ballot order, they were:
- United for Israel
- Vote Reform – ARZA Canada
- Orthodox Israel Coalition (OIC) – Mizrachi
- MERCAZ Your Voice. Your Values. Your Vote.
- United Eretz Hakodesh and Shaas
- Herut Canada
- Hatikvah Canada Democratic Israel
- Likud Canada / Canadians for a Safe Israel
- Canadian Young Judea.
Under the proportional system, each slate’s vote share divided by the election quotient (total valid votes ÷ 19 seats) determines its initial delegate count. Remaining seats are assigned by the highest remainders.
Preliminary Results
The AEC reported that United for Israel leads the field, followed by Vote Reform, ARZA Canada, and the Orthodox Israel Coalition–Mizrachi. Detailed vote counts and final seat allocations will be published after the June 18 certification.
About the Jerusalem Program
The Jerusalem Program is the World Zionist Organization’s foundational platform, reaffirmed in February 2024. Its six pillars state:
- Unity and Homeland: The unity of the Jewish people and the centrality of Eretz Yisrael and Jerusalem.
- Aliyah and Integration: Encouraging immigration to Israel and effective integration of immigrants.
- Jewish-Democratic State: Strengthening Israel as a Jewish, Zionist, and democratic society.
- Education and Culture: Promoting Jewish, Hebrew, and Zionist education and cultural development.
- Mutual Responsibility: Defending Jewish rights and combating antisemitism worldwide.
- Practical Zionism: Supporting settlement as an expression of Zionist values.
Elected delegates will attend the Congress in Jerusalem, October 28–30, to set policy and allocate more than US$1 billion among key institutions such as the Jewish Agency for Israel, the Jewish National Fund, and Keren Hayesod.
This article is based on verified information from the Canadian Area Election Committee’s “2025 Canadian Election Rules to the 39th World Zionist Congress” document and the Canadian Zionist Federation’s 2025 election portal.