The Situation in Vancouver
and British Columbia
Antisemitism in Canada, and here in British Columbia, has risen sharply in recent years, with a particularly significant escalation since October 7, 2023.
In 2025, Jewish Federation, in partnership with the Centre for Israel and Jewish Affairs (CIJA), released a comprehensive community survey to assess the real-world impact of antisemitism. The findings confirmed what many in the community had already been experiencing: antisemitism has intensified at an alarming rate.
2025 Community Survey
Key Findings from the 2025 Community Survey
85%
of respondents said antisemitism had “increased a lot.”
62%
of Jewish community members have experienced at least one antisemitic incident.
46%
reported experiencing multiple incidents.
Community Survey Findings
The data reveals the widespread nature of antisemitism across daily life:
This local experience aligns with national trends. The 2025 B’nai Brith Annual Audit reported 6,800 antisemitic incidents across Canada, a 9.3% increase from 2024 and the highest number recorded to date, averaging 18.6 incidents per day, up from 8 daily incidents in 2022. In British Columbia alone, 847 incidents were documented, underscoring the significant impact across the province.
Together, these findings demonstrate that antisemitism is not isolated; it is a growing and systemic challenge requiring sustained attention and action.
Public Awareness Campaign
A Visible Response to a Growing Challenge
Beginning June 8, community members will notice a series of bright pink, high-visibility advertisements appearing across Metro Vancouver, including billboards, transit hubs, and other public-facing placements.
The billboards feature bold, unapologetic messages, including:
Supporting Jews shouldn’t require a PR campaign, but here we are.
You don’t have to be a Jew to protect Jews.
Can a billboard end antisemitism? No. But you’re not a billboard.
Whether you call it football or soccer, antisemitism is a foul.
You don’t need a whistle to call out antisemitism.
The initiative is made possible through a strategic partnership with JewBelong and PATTISON Outdoor Advertising and is a direct response to the rise of antisemitism.
Why This Campaign, and Why Now?
The FIFA World Cup places Vancouver on a global stage, celebrating diversity, belonging, and the power of sport to bring people together. As our city welcomes visitors from around the world, it presents an opportunity to reflect on what inclusion looks like in practice—not just on the field, but in our communities. Major events like FIFA invite us to showcase not only who we are, but who we aspire to be.
This campaign is designed to capture attention and spark conversation. It asks a simple but important question: Who feels safe, welcome, and included in our city …and who does not?
Sportsmanship is respect in action. It means recognizing the dignity of opponents, officials, teammates, and fans alike. It means celebrating success without humiliation, accepting setbacks without hostility, and understanding that competition loses its meaning when it comes at the expense of basic respect.
The same principles extend beyond the field of play. A truly welcoming city is one where disagreement does not turn into dehumanization, where rivalry does not justify exclusion, and where passion never overrides safety or belonging. Sportsmanship asks us to hold both intensity and integrity at the same time.
By making antisemitism visible, we look to encourage dialogue and action, ensuring that the values celebrated during the FIFA World Cup—fairness, respect, and shared humanity—are reflected in the lived experiences of all communities.
Support This Work
The rise in antisemitism across British Columbia has required a coordinated and sustained response.
Jewish Federation is investing in a range of efforts across the province, from strengthening security and providing direct support to individuals to advancing advocacy and driving initiatives in key sectors where anti-Jewish hate has been most prevalent.
A dedicated Combatting Antisemitism Fund makes this work possible, enabling both immediate response and long-term planning.
Donate to the Antisemitism FundYour contribution helps to:
- Support those facing incidents of discrimination and harassment
- Strengthen protections in communal spaces
- Advance legal and policy efforts across impacted sectors
- Equip community members with tools to respond across different environments
This work depends on collective support.
You Are Not Alone
Facing antisemitism can be difficult to process alone, but support, guidance, and resources are available.
From reporting incidents to accessing tools and learning how to respond in different situations, this section is designed to help individuals take informed next steps.
We Can Help
Facing antisemitism can be isolating and painful. You’re not alone.
We can help you navigate the next steps with confidence.
Help is available—and it starts with reaching out.
Be Your Own Best Advocate
Misinformation and disinformation fuel hate, but informed
conversations can dismantle falsehoods and shift perspectives.
Learn practical tools to help you lead these conversations.
Report to Combat Hate
Report any personally experienced acts of antisemitism in Canada
to help measure and combat it. Ensure the credibility of your report
by only including incidents you directly witnessed.