Jews arriving in Canada have not shared the same country of origin or language. Members of Jewish communities, as well as government census forms, indicate that there is considerable disagreement about whether Jews should be described primarily as an ethnic or religious group. The Jews have a long history in Canada, from business centres in Montreal to homesteading activities on the western prairies. Despite their long history in Canada, the federal government was slow to change restrictive immigration policies during the Second World War, even when the atrocities of the Nazis toward the Jews were fully realised. Between 1933 and 1939 Canada accepted only 4,000 Jews. In 1948 the first Jewish displaced persons gained acceptance, but between 1941 and 1950 only 24,393 Jews (5 per cent of total immigration to Canada) were admitted. The Jewish community in Canada is highly diversified and contains a disproportionate share of educated individuals. Toronto and Montreal contain the largest numbers of Canada's Jews.