Survey Reveals Nearly One-Third of Ontario Jewish Doctors Considering Leaving Canada Due to Antisemitism

A survey conducted by the Jewish Medical Association of Ontario has revealed alarming findings: nearly one-third of Jewish doctors in Ontario are considering leaving Canada due to a sharp rise in antisemitism. Of the 500 Ontario respondents, 31% indicated they might leave the country, reflecting a broader trend of concern among Jewish medical professionals nationwide.

The survey, which polled over 1,000 Jewish healthcare workers across Canada, found that while only 1% reported severe antisemitism before the October 7, 2023, Hamas attacks on Israel, 29% have since experienced Jew-hatred in their communities. The figures rise to 39% in hospitals and 43% in academic institutions, painting a stark picture of the challenges faced by Jewish professionals in healthcare.

“Discrimination doesn’t just impact doctors,” said Dr. Ayelet Kuper, chair of the Jewish Medical Association of Ontario. “It undermines the entire healthcare system, compromising patient care and eroding workplace integrity.”

Dr. Sam Silver, an associate professor at Queen’s University, described the toll this environment is taking on students and residents. “I work with healthcare students and residents who are bright, compassionate, and committed to becoming the future of healthcare in Canada,” Silver shared. “Yet they are navigating a hostile environment where their identity as Jews makes them targets of hate and exclusion. This cannot continue.”

The findings highlight an urgent need to address antisemitism in Canada’s healthcare system and academic institutions to ensure safe and inclusive environments for all professionals.

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