So, grab your flashlight and join us on a paranormal pilgrimage to the most haunted places Canada has to offer.
The Top Five Most Haunted Places in Canada
To produce the data and decipher the scariest places in Canada, we studied a range of paranormal points, including:
? Number of cemeteries and memorials
? Number of ghost towns and communities
? How many different spider species are in the area
? Percentage of homes that are unoccupied
We mined data from reputable sources like Find a Grave and The Shadowlands, as well as official sites like Statistics Canada, so our findings were not only frightening but factual.
We even swept the Government of Canada website to find out that there are 1,379 spider species present in Canada. This number was used to calculate how many of the spider species “live” in individual provinces and territories e.g. 36% of the total spider species are found in Saskatchewan.
All the metrics were normalized by population so that they could be weighted equally, meaning the score given to each of the most haunted locations in Canada is as accurate and relevant as possible.
The top five creepiest places in Canada:
1. Saskatchewan (7.4 out of 10)
Cemeteries: 2,414
Memorials: 646,895
Haunted Places: 41
Ghost Towns: 140
Percentage of Unoccupied Homes: 12%
Spider Species: 492
At the forefront of our spine-tingling exploration into the most haunted corners of Canada is the province of Saskatchewan. Here, the spectral veil between the living and the departed seems remarkably thin and there’s little wonder why.
In the heart of Saskatchewan’s provincial capital, Regina, is The Government House said to be haunted by its ghostly former groundskeeper. Then there’s Fort Battleford, a former bastion of the Northwest Mounted Police, where strange noises and feelings of unease are widely believed to be the spirits of soldiers and the indigenous people who met their grim fate at this site.
Of the 13 Canadian provinces and territories in the study, Saskatchewan has the highest concentration of memorials per 10,000 people (5,368) and one of the highest densities of cemeteries per 10,000 people (20). If that isn’t enough to send shivers down your spine, there are approximately 1.16 ghost towns per 10,000 people too.
2. Newfoundland and Labrador (7.0 out of 10)
Cemeteries: 1,821
Memorials: 218,650
Haunted Places: 3
Ghost Towns: 349
Percentage of Unoccupied Homes: 16.5%
Spider Species: 405
In second place is Newfoundland and Labrador, the easternmost province of Canada, boasting a score of 7.0 out of 10. Within this province lies a particularly chilling natural phenomenon known as The Devil’s Footprints. According to local legend, these bizarre hoof-shaped imprints etched into rocks are the remnants of a sinister pact with the devil.
Intriguingly, Newfoundland and Labrador leads the way in several factors. It boasts the highest number of cemeteries per 10,000 people (34). It claims the highest number of ghost towns, with a staggering 6.60 per 10,000 people. Moreover, as of 2021, this province ranks highest with 16.5% of houses that are unoccupied.
3. Nova Scotia (6.1 out of 10)
Cemeteries: 2,240
Memorials: 488,994
Haunted Places: 26
Ghost Towns: 8
Percentage of Unoccupied Homes: 9.2%
Spider Species: 436
Nova Scotia secured the third position with a score of 6.1 out of 10, lagging behind Newfoundland and Labrador by a margin of 0.9 points. Nova Scotia boasts a notable number of cemeteries (22 per 10,000 people) and memorials (4,743 per 10,000 people). However, it falls short in the categories of ghost towns (0.08 per 10,000 people) and the percentage of houses that are unoccupied (9.2%) when compared to the second-ranked Newfoundland and Labrador.
One of the most captivating ghostly tales from Nova Scotia originates at Keith’s Brewery. Here, visitors have encountered the apparition of the brewery’s founder, often accompanied by the scent of freshly baked bread, a hallmark of Keith’s hospitality during his lifetime.
4. Manitoba (5.8 out of 10)
Cemeteries: 1,426
Memorials: 571,070
Haunted Places: 23
Ghost Towns: 53
Percentage of Unoccupied Homes: 8.9%
Spider Species: 540
Manitoba is home to the renowned Fort Garry Hotel, considered one of the most haunted hotels in Canada. Manitobans frequently encounter items moving on their own at this haunt, which contributes to this province and its fourth-place ranking. Additionally, Manitoba boasts a notable number of memorials per 10,000 people, standing at 4,021.
This province also has a distinctive natural feature — it’s home to 39% of the 1,379 spider species found in Canada. This means Manitoba is home to a higher percentage of spider species compared to Saskatchewan, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Nova Scotia, adding a unique but somewhat scary aspect to its biodiversity!
5. Yukon (5.5 out of 10)
Cemeteries: 36
Memorials: 5,684
Haunted Places: 2
Ghost Towns: 9
Percentage of Unoccupied Homes: 11.9%
Spider Species: 340
Ranked fifth is Yukon, previously named the second-best place to live in Canada for climate change. Good for climate change but bad for hauntings, Yukon stands out for its higher count of ghost towns per 10,000 people (2.05) and a notable percentage of houses that are unoccupied, which stands at 11.9%.
It is however home to fewer arachnid species compared to Manitoba, amounting to 25% of the total number of species found in Canada.
Among Yukon’s most intriguing haunted sites is the S.S. Klondike, a storied sternwheeler ship that once navigated the Yukon River during the Gold Rush. This vessel is shrouded in legends, with rumours circulating about spectral apparitions. It is said that the lingering spirits of former crew members and passengers, who met tragic fates aboard, still haunt its decks.
The Least Haunted Places in Canada
1. Quebec (3.0 out of 10)
Cemeteries: 3,336
Memorials: 912,156
Haunted Places: 7
Ghost Towns: 14
Percentage of Unoccupied Homes: 6.6%
Spider Species: 679
Quebec, the predominantly French-speaking province, is found to be the least haunted place in Canada, scoring just 3.0 out of 10. This score is notably lower, 4.4 points to be exact, compared to the most haunted place in Canada, Saskatchewan. In Quebec, there are merely four cemeteries per 10,000 people, and a scanty presence of 0.01 haunted locations and 0.02 ghost towns.
However, La Belle Province does have a diverse spider problem, as it is home to 49% of the 1,379 spider species found in Canada.
2. Northwest Territories (3.8 out of 10)
Cemeteries: 28
Memorials: 2,671
Haunted Places: 0
Ghost Towns: 10
Percentage of Unoccupied Homes: 13.1%
Spider Species: 268
The Northwest Territories are slightly ahead of Quebec by 0.8 points, with a score of 3.8 out of 10. Among the 13 Canadian places examined, this territory ranks second in terms of having the fewest memorials per 10,000 people (586) and no reported haunted places.
However, the Land of the Polar Bear does have a slightly higher number of ghost towns (2.19) and a percentage of unoccupied houses (13.1%).
3. Prince Edward Island (3.9 out of 10)
Cemeteries: 315
Memorials: 87,408
Haunted Places: 0
Ghost Towns: 0
Percentage of Unoccupied Homes: 13.1%
Spider Species: 38
Prince Edward Island is only slightly ahead of the Northwest Territories by 0.1 points, with a score of 3.9 out of 10. While this province boasts the highest number of cemeteries and memorials per 10,000 people among the top five least haunted places, it registers a complete absence of haunted places and ghost towns. Additionally, it’s home to only 3% of spider species.
4. British Columbia (4.0 out of 10)
Cemeteries: 921
Memorials: 823,278
Haunted Places: 48
Ghost Towns: 173
Percentage of Unoccupied Homes: 7.1%
Spider Species: 701
In this ranking of the least haunted locations in Canada, British Columbia secures the fourth spot with a score of 4.0 out of 10. When compared to the top five least haunted locations, British Columbia stands out for having the lowest number of cemeteries, with just two per 10,000 people. Moreover, it also has fewer houses that are unoccupied (7.1%) compared to the Northwest Territories, Prince Edward Island, and Nunavut.
On the scary side, British Columbia is home to a staggering 51% of the total 1,379 spider species found in Canada — the second-highest number of all 13 areas examined in the study, just beaten by Ontario with 54%.
5. Nunavut (4.0 out of 10)
Cemeteries: 25
Memorials: 147
Haunted Places: 0
Ghost Towns: 12
Percentage of Unoccupied Homes: 13.4%
Spider Species: 71
Rounding out the list of the top five least haunted places in Canada is Nunavut. Nunavut stands out for having the fewest memorials per 10,000 people compared to the other four least-scary locations, and it reports no haunted places whatsoever. Additionally, its spider diversity is significantly lower than that of British Columbia, which takes the fourth spot, with a mere 5% of the total number of spider species present.
However, Nunavut does rank slightly higher in terms of the number of ghost towns and the percentage of houses that are unoccupied, with 2.96 per 10,000 people and 13.4%, respectively.
Places With the Most Abandoned Towns in Canada
According to Oxford Languages, a ghost town is a deserted town with few or no remaining inhabitants. For our study, the abandoned towns in Canada hold an eerie allure, and in this exploration, we’ll delve into the top five places where the most ghost towns can be found.
In first place is Newfoundland and Labrador, boasting 349 abandoned locales, which is equal to 6.60 ghost towns per 10,000 people. Following is Nunavut, renowned for its vast, icy expanses. Despite its remote location, Nunavut has 12 ghost towns, each exuding a haunting sense of isolation.
As we venture into the Northwest Territories, we encounter 10 ghost towns, which is a noteworthy 189% difference compared to Newfoundland and Labrador in the top spot. Yukon, famous for its rich gold history, hosts just one fewer ghost town, totalling nine.
Lastly, Saskatchewan completes our list with 140 ghost towns. This translates to 1.16 ghost towns per 10,000 people, and interestingly, it’s 85% fewer than the number of ghostly towns found in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Canadian Areas With the Most Haunted Locations
Our list of the most haunted places in Canada kicks off with Yukon, a region steeped in frontier legends. Despite its relatively sparse population, Yukon boasts two haunted places, each with its own eerie story to tell.
Following is Saskatchewan, where you’ll find a remarkable 41 haunted places scattered across the province. This is a spooky significance of 181% more possessed places when compared to Yukon. The prairie province holds a rich tapestry of ghostly tales, and the presence of 41 haunted locales equates to 0.34 per 10,000 people.
Nova Scotia, takes the third spot on our list, offering 26 haunted locations. Moving westward, Manitoba ranks fourth with 23 haunted places awaiting exploration.
New Brunswick wraps up our list with 11 haunted places, which is 81% fewer than Nova Scotia and 71% fewer than Manitoba. This translates to 0.13 haunted places per 10,000 people in the province.
The Canadian Provinces With the Most Cemeteries
In Newfoundland and Labrador, you’ll find 1,821 cemeteries, which translates to 34 cemeteries per 10,000 people. The abundance of burial grounds across the rugged terrain vividly underscores the region’s deep connection to the afterlife.
Next on our list is Nova Scotia, boasting 21% more cemeteries than Newfoundland and Labrador overall, but with fewer cemeteries per 10,000 people (22). Saskatchewan closely follows with its vast expanse housing 2,414 cemeteries.
In New Brunswick, you’ll encounter 1,597 cemeteries, equating to 19 cemeteries per 10,000 people. Meanwhile, Prince Edward Island completes our list with 315 cemeteries, a notable 141% difference compared to Newfoundland and Labrador, which claims the top spot in terms of cemetery bounty.
The Canadian Provinces With the Most Spiders
Ontario takes the lead as the arachnid hub of Canada with a scary 751 spider species, making up a whopping 54% of Canada’s total spider species. This province’s diverse ecosystems and vast landscapes provide an ideal habitat for these eight-legged freaks.
British Columbia follows with 701 spider species, accounting for 51% of the Canadian spider population. Quebec isn’t far behind, boasting 679 spider species within its borders.
Alberta, celebrated for its stunning landscapes, hosts 606 spider species, contributing 44% to the overall Canadian total. Meanwhile, Manitoba offers a slightly lower count of 540 spider species, marking a 33% difference compared to Ontario, which leads the list.
These statistics provide a picture of the distribution of spider species across these Canadian provinces each offering a unique habitat for these intriguing creatures.
Methodology
1. Bonus.ca aimed to find the most haunted province in Canada.
2. The availability of data is scarce and therefore, the study is done on the province level, and not on the city or county level.
3.The number of cemeteries in Canadian provinces was obtained from ‘Find A Grave‘.
4. The Number of haunted places was obtained from The ShadowLands website.
5. The number of ghost towns and communities was obtained from Wikipedia.
6. Data on the percentage of unoccupied dwellings was obtained from the Statistics Canada website.
7. The number of spider species in Canada and its provinces was obtained from the Government of Canada website. The article mentions a total of 1,379 spider species present in Canada. This number was used to get the percentage of species in individual Canadian provinces.
8. Population in Canadian provinces was obtained from the World Population Review.
9. All the metrics were normalized by population and the scores were calculated by weighing all the metrics equally.
10. Data is correct as of 05/10/2023.
