Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is continuing to increase its outreach to bring Holocaust education to schools across Canada after a poll released last week reveals gaps in Canadians’ knowledge of the Holocaust.

According to a poll by the Association for Canadian Studies, only 43 per cent of Canadians surveyed correctly identified how many Jewish people were killed in the Holocaust, while less than 50 per cent of people in most parts of Canada believed antisemitism was a problem in Canada during the Second World War. In Quebec, 67 per cent of those surveyed believed Canada welcomed Jewish refugees during the war.

“Clearly, there is more that needs to be done in terms of Holocaust education and ensuring Canadians from all parts of the country gain more knowledge of the Holocaust and don’t forget its lessons,” said FSWC president and CEO Avi Benlolo. “The more people learn about the Holocaust, including what led to it and its impact, the less likely they are to commit acts of hate and a tragedy like the Holocaust will be repeated.”

In 2019, FSWC educated and inspired nearly 30,000 students through the Tour for Humanity, workshops,Freedom Day and Speakers Idol, teaching them about the Holocaust and human rights issues and empowering them to stand against hate and intolerance. Since its launch in 2013, the Tour for Humanity has reached 170,000 students,teachers and other community members.