Preserving Holocaust remembrance and combatting antisemitism in Canada

Antisemitism is a certain perception of Jews, which may be expressed as hatred toward them. The rhetorical and physical manifestations of antisemitism take many forms in Canada: hateful vandalism and graffiti, targeting of Jewish-owned businesses, calling for the eradication of Israel, bomb threats to Jewish schools and community centres, etc.

Canada’s Special Envoy on Preserving Holocaust Remembrance and Combatting Antisemitism, Deborah Lyons, works to combat antisemitism and promote Holocaust remembrance. Through education, advocacy, and partnerships in Canada and internationally, the Government of Canada is committed to protecting human rights and ensuring the lessons of the Holocaust guide future generations.

Through education, advocacy and partnerships in Canada and internationally, the Government of Canada is committed to ensuring the lessons of the Holocaust guide future generations, and to protecting human rights for all.

Canada joined the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) in 2009 and adopted its non-legally binding working definition of antisemitism in 2019, as part of Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2019–2022. This definition serves as the foundation of the federal government’s engagement with Jewish communities and its work to tackle antisemitism.