A new national survey for the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination finds Canadians most often see Muslims and Jews as targets of hate, with anti-Muslim sentiment strongly linked to negative attitudes toward immigrants and refugees.
-- The survey, conducted by Leger for the Association for Canadian Studies (ACS) in early March, shows that when asked to rank groups most likely to experience prejudice and discrimination, Canadians place Muslims first, followed by immigrants and refugees, and Jews third . These rankings point to the prominence of religious minorities—especially Muslims—in public perceptions of vulnerability.
Consistent with these rankings, Muslims (70%) and immigrants/refugees (68%) are also the groups most frequently identified as likely to regularly experience prejudice or hate in Canada today, followed by Indigenous peoples, Black Canadians, Jews, and 2SLGBTQI+ individuals .
While several communities are widely seen as vulnerable, the findings point to a particularly important dynamic:
A strong intersection in public perception between Muslims and immigrants/refugees as targets of discrimination.
More than nine in ten respondents who believe immigrants and refugees are very likely to experience prejudice also believe the same is true for Muslims, and vice versa—suggesting that perceptions of anti-Muslim discrimination may be closely linked to attitudes toward immigration and refugee status .
The results further indicate that religious minorities are at the forefront of public concern about discrimination, with Muslims and Jews among the groups most often identified as targets of hate and prejudice. At the same time, Canadians broadly believe that multiple communities face discrimination, with relatively modest differences between groups, underscoring the widespread perception that prejudice remains a persistent issue affecting diverse populations across the country .
About the Association for Canadian Studies (ACS)
The ACS addresses the major public policy issues of the day by increasing Canadians’ knowledge of their country and providing platforms for cross-sectoral and multidisciplinary exchanges about the country’s past, present and future.
A layered understanding of discrimination
“These findings point to a complex picture of discrimination in Canada,” said Jack Jedwab, President and CEO of the Association for Canadian Studies. “While religious minorities—especially Muslims—are seen as particularly vulnerable, there is also a clear perception that prejudice operates at the intersection of religion and immigration status.”
About the Survey
The survey was conducted online by Leger between March 6 and 8, 2026, among 1,579 Canadians .
Contact Info:
Name: Christopher Surtees
Email: Send Email
Organization: Association for Canadian Studies
Website: http://acs-metropolis.ca
Release ID: 89186666
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