A recent government-commissioned study reveals that antisemitism is widespread and deeply ingrained in Canadian university campuses, with 96% of Jewish students reporting that they have experienced or witnessed antisemitic incidents within the past year. The Campus Antisemitism and Student Experiences (CASE) project represents the most comprehensive national survey to date on this issue in Canadian postsecondary institutions.

The study surveyed nearly 900 Jewish students alongside 755 students from the broader campus population, concluding that antisemitism on campuses is not isolated but has become normalized and systemic. According to the findings, 95.7% of Jewish students encountered antisemitic behavior or attitudes in the previous 12 months. Additionally, 84% of respondents view antisemitism as a significant problem on their campuses, and 68% reported feeling that their institutions are neither safe nor inclusive spaces for Jewish students.

Incidents reported ranged from antisemitic vandalism (71%), intimidation or threats directed at Jewish individuals (54%), to physical violence in some cases (22%). Several students shared personal accounts of harassment, including being spat upon, verbally abused with slurs, and witnessing assaults against other Jewish students. Some described being ostracized in academic settings, with one reporting being deliberately targeted to have their lab work sabotaged. Another student cited anxiety stemming from ongoing antisemitism as a reason for dropping out.

The impact of antisemitism on campus life is evident in the precautions Jewish students feel compelled to take: approximately 75% said they limit classroom discussions about their Jewish identity, and 57% avoid wearing or displaying Jewish symbols out of safety concerns.

Alarmingly, nearly 20% of Jewish students identified professors as sources of antisemitic incidents. Reports include claims of faculty members expressing hostile views toward Zionists and Jewish students, introducing antisemitic misinformation, or disregarding the relevance of Jewish topics within coursework. Approximately one-third of respondents encountered antisemitic content during classes, with 45% reporting Holocaust denial or distortion occurring at least sometimes. One student recounted hearing a professor label Adolf Hitler a “hero.”

The survey also highlights institutional failures in addressing these issues. Among students who reported antisemitic incidents to university authorities, 63% expressed dissatisfaction with the responses they received. Examples include universities not taking action after screening controversial material glorifying Hamas or inclusivity initiatives that excluded Jewish students unless they conformed to specific views on Israel.

CASE characterizes campus antisemitism as a broader "climate problem" rather than a series of isolated occurrences, cautioning that if left unchecked, universities may become breeding grounds for the perpetuation of anti-Jewish hatred across generations and communities. The report underscores the urgency of addressing the issue, noting historical patterns where rising antisemitism often signals wider societal acceptance of bigotry toward multiple groups.

In response to the findings, several Jewish advocacy organizations, including the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs, B’nai Brith Canada, and the Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center, issued a joint statement. They emphasized that the report sheds light on the entrenchment of antisemitism within public institutions at a time when Jewish Canadians face heightened threats, including violent attacks. The organizations called for immediate and concrete measures to protect Jewish students and combat the underlying drivers of hatred, including anti-Zionism, warning that failure to act risks escalating the crisis.

The study reinforces longstanding concerns from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other officials regarding the challenges Jewish Canadians face and highlights the imperative for universities and policymakers to foster safer, more inclusive environments for all students.