Canada’s Jewish Population, 2023: Focus on Minorities and Attitudes Toward Israel’s New Government

Canada’s Jewish population continues to grow slowly. In 2023, an estimated 404,400 individuals living in Canada identified as Jewish by religion or identified as having no religion but as Jewish by ethnicity or culture. About 80% of Canada’s Jews live in Quebec and Ontario (69% in Montreal and Toronto alone) and 18% in the four western provinces. Ontario leads in absolute population growth. Percentage population growth is greater in smaller than in larger cities. Apart from from reviewing data on Jews from the latest Canadian census, this paper examines the geographical distribution of small Jewish minorities based on gender, race (or “visible minority” status), and Indigenous status. Finally, it reviews recent survey data demonstrating the existence of a polarized Canadian-Jewish community that expresses more opposition to than support of many policies favored by the most right-wing government in Israel’s history.