Concerns about antisemitism remain high, as the public calls for the strict vetting of immigration applications from Gaza residents.
Vancouver, BC [March 20, 2025] – The post-October 7, 2023, conflict in Israel and Gaza is making British Columbians uneasy about issues related to public protests and immigration, a new Research Co. poll has found.
The online survey of a representative provincial sample shows that most British Columbians are dissatisfied with the actions of Pro-Palestinian protestors, which have included the burning of Canadian flags and chants in support of groups identified by the Government of Canada as terrorist entities.
More than seven-in-ten British Columbians (72%) say these rallies go against Canadian values and should not be allowed, while just over two thirds (68%) think these actions are clearly illegal and those involved should be arrested.
British Columbians are divided on whether police and governments are doing enough to combat antisemitism (Agree 43%, Disagree 42%).
“More than half of BC Green Party voters in 2024 (51%) think police and governments are managing antisemitism properly,” says Mario Canseco, President of Research Co. “Fewer British Columbians who voted for the BC New Democratic Party (NDP) (47%) or the Conservative Party of BC (45%) feel the same way.”
More than four-in-five British Columbians (82%) say that, based on the public handover ceremonies that have taken place in Gaza, the treatment of hostages is inhumane and makes them doubt there is a path to peace. More than half (53%) suggest that creating a state in Gaza will simply result in a new terrorist state being created.
More than seven-in-ten British Columbians (72%) want the federal government to have strict controls to ensure no Hamas members or supporters are allowed to come to Canada, and just over two thirds (68%) want immigration from Gaza to cease immediately, including in-process visas.
Only 37% of British Columbians believe the vetting of immigrants from Muslim nations is currently adequate, while majorities say that too many immigrants from Muslim nations are participants in the angry protests targeting Jewish Canadians and calling for the extermination of Israel (60%) and do not share or practice Canadian values (69%).
Four-in-five British Columbians (80%, +1 since a similar Research Co. poll conducted in June 2024) are “very concerned” or “moderately concerned” about attacks, including gunfire and firebombs, on synagogues, Jewish schools and businesses.
More than three-in-four British Columbians are concerned about three other issues: aggressive behaviour by Pro-Palestinian protestors (78%, +4), protestors targeting Jewish neighbourhoods and Jewish-owned businesses (77%, +1) and rising prejudice against Jewish Canadians (antisemitism) (76%, +1).
Two thirds of British Columbians (67%, +1) believe that Canadian Jews are being unfairly targeted for what is happening in Israel and Gaza.
Methodology: Results are based on an online survey conducted from March 10 to March 12, 2025, among 812 adults in British Columbia. The data has been statistically weighted according to Canadian census figures for age, gender and region in British Columbia. The margin of error—which measures sample variability—is +/- 3.5 percentage points, nineteen times out of twenty.
Find our data tables here and download the press release here.
For more information on this poll, please contact:
Mario Canseco, President, Research Co.
778.929.0490
[e] mario.canseco@researchco.ca