Nearly one (1) in three (3) Canadians say their biggest fear isn’t ghosts, ghouls, or things that go bump in the dark — it’s social anxiety and public speaking. Canada’s Fear Index unmasks what really haunts Canadians.
Let’s unpack how fear creeps across the country, analysing it by percentage, province, and profile to reveal how Canadians face (or flee) what scares them most.
Key Takeaways from the 2025 Canada Fear Index
- Canada’s top three (3) fears: public speaking (10.63%), spiders or insects (9.59%), and reptiles or snakes (9.19%)
- Fear has a price tag: many Canadians said it would take at least $10,000 to face their biggest fear, but a bold few would do it for $100 or less
- Broken mirrors (25.78%) are considered more unlucky than the number 666 (20.11%) or black cats (14.22%)
- Fun beats fright: a third of the respondents (33.22%) choose fun over thrills
- British Columbia leads the brave as the most fearless province
Fear has a new face:
Drawing on a nationwide survey of more than 1,000 verified responses, we provide a detailed snapshot of the fears shaping Halloween this year.
Powered by Pollfish, the study shows how everyday anxieties can feel far more haunting than the supernatural.
Canada’s Biggest Fears Revealed
Across Canada, fear takes on a regional accent, from western wilderness worries to eastern social chills. According to Canada’s Fear Index, public speaking and social anxiety ranks as the top fears, with 10.63% of respondents naming them as their biggest fright.
Here’s a rundown of what Canadians fear most in 2025:
- Public speaking and social anxiety (10.63%)
- Spiders and other insects (9.59%)
- Snakes and reptiles (9.19%)
- Illness and getting sick (8.04%)
- Failure or making mistakes (7.96%)
New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador take the title of Canada’s biggest scaredy-cats, with 12.67% of locals admitting that public speaking gives them the chills.
Provincial Halloween differences reveal the top fear in each area
While the national data reveals what most Canadians fear overall, a closer look shows that anxieties shift dramatically depending on geography. The Provincial Halloween Differences analysis found that where Canadians live influences what they fear the most.
This table presents the top fear identified in each province:
| Province Or Territory | Top Fear | Percentage |
| Alberta (AB) | Spiders and insects | 11.67% |
| British Columbia (BC) | Snakes and reptiles | 10.33% |
| Manitoba (MB) | Public speaking and social situations | 11.33% |
| New Brunswick (NB) | Public speaking and social situations | 12.67% |
| Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) | Public speaking and social situations | 12.67% |
| Nova Scotia (NS) | Public speaking and social situations | 11% |
| Ontario (ON) | Spiders and insects | 9.33% |
| Quebec (QC) | Spiders and insects | 9.33% |
| Saskatchewan (SK) | Public speaking and social situations | 11% |
| Other provinces and territories* | Spiders and insects | 11.38% |
* To keep results meaningful, responses from smaller provinces and territories were grouped together.
What the findings suggest: Halloween fears in Canada are not uniform
- Western provinces like Alberta and British Columbia are most unsettled by creatures such as spiders and snakes, possibly due to closer ties with the natural environment in these areas
- On the other hand, Atlantic Canadians are more likely to fear speaking in front of a room full of people, suggesting that social pressure can feel far more terrifying than anything that creeps or crawls
- Shockingly, results from Ontario and Quebec show that even in urban settings, primal fear is difficult to shake.
How Intense Are Canadians’ Fears?
When asked to rank the intensity of their scariest fears, most Canadians placed them at a solid 7 out of 10. This suggests that these phobias are more than just monsters in the closet, they are experienced at a level that feels significant.
This is the zone where adrenaline rises, heart rates quicken, and focus sharpens. In other words: Canadians don’t just know their fears, they feel them. That intensity reveals the emotional stakes at play.
Scott MacDonald says:
What Halloween Superstition Causes the Worst Luck?
Broken mirrors top the list for Canadians overall, with 1 in every 4 respondents (25.78%) naming them the unluckiest superstition. This was followed by the number 666 (20.11%); black cats (14.22%); and walking under a ladder (12.78%).
Provincially, some quirks creep in. The data suggests that much like their biggest fears, Canadians’ sense of luck is shaped not only by national culture, but also by the local stories and traditions that linger in different regions.
Canada’s Halloween Thrill Profiles
Canadians fit into a wide spectrum of comfort with risk and reward. According to the survey, the majority of Canadians (33.22%) identify as fun-seekers.
Some provinces lean toward the safety of light-hearted traditions, while others are more eager to gamble on a scare:
Fun-seekers in regions like Ontario and Quebec embrace the festive side of the season, with plenty of costumes candy, and pumpkin carving (they love the treats, just not the tricks). While fear-chasers are hunting down jump scares in areas like Alberta and British Columbia – simply for the adrenaline rush they bring.
Risk Vs. Reward: Would Canadians Gamble with Fear This Halloween?
While some respondents said no amount of money would convince them to face their greatest fears, others were willing to brave it for as little as $100. The majority of Canadians set their price at a minimum of $10,000. This exclusive question paints a vivid picture of how Canadians weigh risk against reward when it comes to fear.
In many ways, Canadians approach their fears much like gambling — some won’t take the risk no matter the reward, others roll the dice without hesitation, and others only act when the stakes feel just right.
Canada’s most fearless are illustrated in the following infographic:
Exclusive insight: British Columbia emerges as Canada’s most fearless province. Though most residents needed $10,000 or more, 18% of respondents were willing to face their fears for $100 or less. People from New Brunswick and Quebec are least likely to gamble with fear, with 31% and 27% of respondents agreeing that they wouldn’t face their biggest fears, regardless of the money at stake.
The Stakes of Canada’s Fears
Canada’s Fear Index 2025 reveals that while fear is universal, it’s not experienced the same way everywhere. For some, it’s a superstition lurking in the shadows; for others, a source of adrenaline, entertainment, and fascination. What ties it all together is risk. In gaming, as in life, risk and reward are inseparable.
Expert perspective:
Behind the data: about Maple Casino
Maple Casino is dedicated to helping Canadians make smarter and safer choices in the evolving iGaming landscape, through honest and experience-based reviews from real experts. Our data-driven approach ensures every insight, review, and recommendation is backed by research, just like this first-of-its kind look at how Halloween fears and risk-taking behaviour collide.
Most Canadians wouldn’t take the ultimate risk – would you? Test your luck this Halloween and find out what’s waiting on the other side.
