Toronto (February 26, 2020) – The Jewish community remains the most targeted by hate crimes in Canada for the third consecutive year, a Statistics Canada report released today reveals.

According to the report, there were 347 antisemitic crimes reported in 2018, a decrease of four per cent from the previous year that had marked a shocking increase of 63 per cent in hate crimes targeting the Jewish community. The Jewish population accounted for almost one-fifth of all police-reported hate crimes in 2018.

“Despite the fact that Jewish people make up one per cent of Canada’s population, it is extremely concerning that the community remains the most targeted by hate crimes. These statistics are a reminder of the enduring prevalence of antisemitism in the country and urgent need for police,politicians and educators to take quick and decisive action to counter hatred against the Jewish community,” said FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo.

There was a total of 1,798 police-reported hate crimes in 2018 – a 13 per cent decrease from the record high of 2,073 incidents in 2017.