Halloween Haunts: A Spine-chilling Guide to Canada's Ghostly Locales

As Halloween nears, ghostly tales and eerie legends resurface, casting a spooky spell over Canadians. 

According to Rentola, Halloween has gained popularity in Canada in recent years. Embraced with a mix of global and local customs – from the Spanish-inspired Dia de los Muertos festivities in Victoria to the charitable Halloween Walk-a-thon for UNICEF – it has found its place for fans of scary stories and the supernatural.

Beyond the costumes and candy, Canada's true Halloween allure lies in its ghost stories. Here are some of the most chilling destinations, according to Rentola, brimming with urban legends:

Ontario: The Historic Heart of Hauntings

1. Gibraltar Point Lighthouse, Toronto: A lone ghost, the first lighthouse keeper, is said to wander the premises.
2. Blue Ghost Tunnel: Echoes of the past reverberate, from children's cries to the shouts of workers.
3. Fairmont Chateau Laurier: Rumored to be frequented by its founder, who tragically met his end on the Titanic.

Alberta: Mysteries of the Mountains

1. Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel: Beyond its scenic beauty, it harbours tales of a murdered family in room 873 and a ghostly bellman.
2. Dunvegan Provincial Park: Spirits of a lantern-bearing woman and a priest are said to haunt the site.
3. Firkins House: Multiple apparitions, from a sickly boy to a ventriloquist's dummy, are rumoured to reside here.

British Columbia: Coastal Chills

1. Beacon Hill Park: A spectral woman makes appearances, especially during sunrise.
2. Fairmont Empress: Shadows and sounds point to ghostly inhabitants.
3. Craigdarroch Castle: Eerie piano melodies and a lady in white are some of its creepy attractions.

 Other Provinces: Coast to Coast Ghosts

1. Baie Chaleurs Fireship, New Brunswick: The bay is rumoured to be haunted by the flaming apparition of a ship and its doomed crew.
2. Five Fishermen Restaurant, Nova Scotia: Built atop an old morgue, it's said to be quite active... paranormally.
3. Government House, Saskatchewan: From a cook named "Howie" to ghostly children, multiple spectres frequent the place.
4. Plains of Abraham, Quebec: The site of a historic battle, ghostly soldiers are said to patrol.
5. Fort Garry Hotel, Manitoba: Room 202 is haunted by the ghost of a woman who died tragically.
6. King's Playhouse, Prince Edward Island: A friendly ghost named "Captain George" ensures performances go off without a hitch.

Trick or treat!