Antisemitism on the Right

Antisemitism on Canada’s Political and Cultural Right

Antisemitism in Canada’s political and cultural right has a complex history, characterized by both subtle and overt manifestations that continue to evolve in response to social and political shifts. From early 20th-century immigration policies to contemporary online hate speech, antisemitic ideas have surfaced in multiple forms on the right-wing spectrum, shaping public perception and policy in Canada. Here’s a detailed examination of its historical roots, transformations, and current forms in Canada.

Historical Foundations of Antisemitism in Canada’s Political Right

Antisemitism in Canada’s right-wing politics can be traced back to the early 20th century. During this period, anti-Jewish sentiment was fuelled by racial hierarchies popular in Canada and Western Europe, as well as fear of communism and socialism, which were often associated with Jewish intellectuals. Many right-wing groups perceived Jews as outsiders whose influence on media, business, and politics threatened Anglo-Saxon cultural dominance.

Immigration Policies

In the early 1900s, Canada’s immigration policies explicitly restricted Jewish immigration. The Immigration Act of 1910 and subsequent legislation empowered officials to refuse entry to individuals deemed “unsuitable,” a category that frequently included Jewish immigrants. For example, Jewish refugees fleeing Nazi persecution in the 1930s were systematically denied entry, with the horrific catch phrase “none is too many”. This attitude culminated in the infamous 1939 case of the MS St. Louis, where over 900 Jewish refugees were refused entry and returned to Europe, many later perishing in the Holocaust. Such policies reveal how institutionalized antisemitism in right-wing government policies shaped Canada’s response to Jewish persecution abroad and contributed to domestic cultural biases.

Social Credit Movement

During the 1930s, Canada saw the rise of the Social Credit movement, particularly in Alberta. The movement promoted economic reform to address the Great Depression’s impact on Canadians, but also disseminated antisemitic conspiracy theories. Some leaders, like William Aberhart and Ernest Manning, suggested Jewish elites-controlled banks and financial institutions, scapegoating Jewish communities for Canada’s economic woes. This belief gained traction in Western Canada, reinforcing a view of Jews as economic manipulators, which persisted in right-wing political discourse.

Social Credit Movement

The 1930s and 1940s saw Canadian fascist movements emerge, inspired by Hitler’s and Mussolini’s ideas. The National Unity Party, led by Adrien Arcand, openly advocated for fascism and targeted Jewish communities with propaganda accusing them of communist sympathies and conspiracy. Arcand’s newspaper, Le Combat National, promoted overtly antisemitic rhetoric, calling for the internment and exclusion of Jews from Canadian society. While this fascist movement was relatively small, it illustrates how antisemitic ideas from Europe influenced right-wing Canadian ideologies during this period.

Post-World War II and the Rise of Coded Language

After the Holocaust, explicit antisemitism in Canadian politics became more socially unacceptable, leading right-wing groups to adopt subtler, coded language to express their biases.

Social Credit Movement

During the Cold War, Canada’s right-wing continued to associate Jews with communism, though often in veiled terms. The spectre of Jewish communism was evoked to justify exclusionary policies and surveillance of Jewish Canadians involved in social justice movements. By focusing on “communists” and “subversives,” right-wing leaders could indirectly target Jewish individuals without explicitly mentioning their cultural or religious identity.

Rise of the Christian Right

In the 1980s and 1990s, the Christian right gained influence in Canada’s political landscape, particularly within the Conservative Party. Although this movement did not often promote overt antisemitism, its emphasis on “Judeo-Christian” values sometimes marginalized Jewish people who did not conform to evangelical Christian perspectives. Additionally, Christian right-wing groups occasionally promoted conversion efforts aimed at Jewish Canadians, framing Jewish beliefs as incomplete without Christianity.

Western Alienation and Economic Antisemitism

During the 1980s and 1990s, Western Canada experienced economic dissatisfaction and “Western alienation” due to perceived federal neglect. Right-wing movements in Alberta and Saskatchewan began reviving antisemitic stereotypes of Jewish financiers manipulating markets and policies against Western interests. Though less explicit than earlier decades, these stereotypes subtly reinforced old prejudices within right-leaning economic discourses, particularly in media and private discussions among right-wing groups.

Contemporary Manifestations of Antisemitism on Canada’s Right

In recent decades, antisemitism in Canada’s political and cultural right has largely shifted online, where anonymity and loose regulations enable the spread of hate speech. Today’s antisemitic rhetoric on the right includes conspiracy theories, Holocaust denial, and xenophobia, often blended with anti-globalist and nationalist sentiments.

Western Alienation and Economic Antisemitism

Some right-wing media outlets in Canada have been criticized for using dog whistles—coded language that appears neutral but carries antisemitic connotations. Terms like “globalist” and “elite” are used in ways that evoke old stereotypes of Jewish control without directly referencing Jews. These dog whistles, combined with frequent criticism of “liberal media,” subtly associate Jews with perceived threats to Canadian values, especially in conservative media’s framing of cultural issues.

Western Alienation and Economic Antisemitism

Social media platforms have become significant vehicles for right-wing antisemitic rhetoric. Contemporary right-wing antisemitic conspiracy theories often portray Jews as part of a global elite controlling politics, media, and finance. The “Great Replacement” theory, which claims that elites are orchestrating the replacement of white populations through immigration, frequently names Jews as primary architects. Right-wing extremists and white nationalist groups propagate these ideas on platforms like 4chan, Telegram, and Twitter, fostering a toxic online environment for Jewish Canadians.

Antisemitism and Populism

Recent years have seen a rise in populist rhetoric within Canada’s right-wing parties, particularly in movements opposed to globalization and immigration. Some populist leaders subtly evoke antisemitic stereotypes by railing against “globalists,” a term often used as a dog whistle for Jews. For example, Maxime Bernier’s People’s Party of Canada has occasionally drawn support from individuals espousing antisemitic views, though Bernier himself has strongly condemned such views. The populist pushback against elites, while not always explicitly antisemitic, can provide a cover for those who harbour antisemitic beliefs to spread their ideas under the guise of “anti-elite” sentiment.

Anti-Israel Sentiment as a Mask for Antisemitism

In recent years, criticism of Israel has sometimes served as a cover for antisemitism on the right (although with less frequency than it does on the political left). Some right-wing groups oppose Israel based on nationalist or isolationist grounds, framing Jewish support for Israel as evidence of “dual loyalty.” This critique often extends beyond policy disagreements and implies that Canadian Jews are inherently less loyal to Canada. While legitimate criticism of Israeli policy exists across the political spectrum, right-wing criticism can cross into antisemitic territory when it questions Jewish Canadians’ patriotism or portrays Jewish individuals as foreign agents.

Resurgence of Holocaust Denial and Revisionism

While Holocaust denial has been largely discredited in mainstream discourse, fringe right-wing groups in Canada still promote revisionist ideas online. Some right-wing extremists claim that the Holocaust was exaggerated or fabricated, accusing Jews of using it for political or financial gain. This denialism is part of a broader effort to delegitimize Jewish suffering and diminish the unique atrocities Jews faced during World War II, thus undermining the historical basis for opposing antisemitism. This has become increasingly prevalent (on both sides of the political spectrum) since the October 7 attacks.

Jewish Influence in COVID-19 Conspiracy Theories

The COVID-19 pandemic has provided new grounds for antisemitic conspiracy theories within Canada’s far right. Some conspiracy theories claim that Jewish philanthropists, such as George Soros, orchestrated the pandemic for financial or political gain. Anti-vaccine protests and far-right rallies in Canada have occasionally featured antisemitic symbols, including references to the Rothschild family and signs comparing vaccine mandates to the Holocaust. This resurgence of antisemitic tropes reveals how crises continue to serve as catalysts for right-wing antisemitism.

Conclusion

Antisemitism within Canada’s political and cultural right has adapted across decades, from early immigration restrictions and fascist sympathies to today’s online hate speech and coded populist rhetoric. Though overt expressions of right-wing antisemitism have largely diminished in mainstream discourse, they persist through dog whistles, conspiracy theories, and nationalist movements that subtly target Jewish Canadians. The historical alignment of antisemitic ideas with economic and cultural anxieties in Canada reveals how, even today, social and political crises can give rise to scapegoating narratives. The persistence of covert antisemitism underscores the need for ongoing vigilance, education, and accountability to prevent old prejudices from shaping new threats against Jewish communities in Canada.