During the Great Depression of the 1930s, unemployment was very high and living conditions were difficult. As the economic situation worsened throughout the decade, anti-Jewish feelings grew even more intense around the world, including in Toronto. Stereotypes connecting the Jewish people to financial institutions led to Jews being used as a scapegoat for the Great Depression.
The uncertainty that was created by the Great Depression caused many people to look beyond Canada's current political or economic systems for solutions. For some, fascism became the best way to deal with the effects of the Depression while preserving democracy and fending off communism.
