Lack of contact linked to intolerance

Quebecers have the least personal contact with Jews or Muslims of any Canadians, and less contact means more intolerance, an analysis of poll data suggests.

The findings help explain why “reasonable accommodation” of orthodox Jews and Muslims is so controversial in this province, the Montreal research group that crunched the numbers says.

The Environics poll also reveals that, when it comes to Arabs and Jews, a small minority of Canadians are equal-opportunity bigots – they dislike both.

Montreal Gazette, 21 March 2007