Toronto (November 27, 2018) - Friends of Simon Wiesenthal Center (FSWC) is troubled by a recent poll that reveals nearly two-thirds of Quebecers support a ban on religious symbols in the public sector.

The poll comes after Quebec’s Premier François Legault stated he will seek to ban civil servants in positions of authority from wearing religious symbols, including the kippah.

FSWC President and CEO Avi Benlolo said: "We are very concerned about the rising tide of antisemitism in Quebec. Our survey revealed that 27 per cent of Quebecers harbour antisemitic attitudes. Coupled with a ban on wearing religious symbols, like a kippah, the Jewish community will continue to feel discriminated upon in Quebec. In a statement about the St. Louis, the Bloc Quebecois admitted long-standing institutionalized antisemitism in the province – and called for its end. Thus, we call upon the premier to select policies that are inclusive of all Quebecers."

The recent survey commissioned by FSWC revealed that Quebec surpasses the average number of Canadians who hold antisemitic views, which sits at 15 per cent.

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Media Contact:‍

Avital Borisovsky
Communications Associate
416.864.9735 x 29
aborisovsky@fswc.ca