Tis the season for spookiness, creepiness and just plain ordinary hauntedness. So, I started looking for Haunted Canada. Who better to find haunted sites and locations than a Canadian urban explorer? Sure, there probably is someone better, but I'm here.
You might want to try exploring and ghost hunting yourself. But, how do you become an instant expert on the topic of hauntings? Here are some guidelines to get you started.
Take these tips with a grain of salt. Most noises, lights and atmosphere can be explained once you start looking for a logical answer. I think this is why it is so hard to prove the existence of ghosts. There are so many logical answers. Logic is so nice, firm and solid. Meanwhile, everything else is just a feeling, something you could have imagined or something you want to believe in spite of the logical explanation.
I don't know if anyone will ever find concrete proof of ghosts. But, they keep on trying.
Don't go alone. It's safer with an exploring buddy who can call for help if one of you has an accident, like falling through rotten floor boards.
Gather the gear you need: flashlights digital (or film) camera, tripod to set the camera on, extra lights for better photos in a dark house, sound recording device, temperature gauge, notebook and pen. Bring supplies for first aid and cleaning up after the exploring. Consider a back up for your camera and flashlight this isn't the time you want a mechanical problem to keep you from exploring.
Don't impede your own investigation with alcohol, smoking or long hair. Not drinking alcohol should be common sense. But you should consider the photos you will be using as evidence and make sure you get the cleanest, clearest photos you can. Don't let stray cigarette smoke or long hair wind up being a 'ghost'.
Find a place to explore. Get some historical background, talk to others who have explored there and get permission from the property owner. (If you are carrying a bunch of equipment into the house this might be the smarter way to go rather than risk having the police charge you with trespassing).
If you can, make copies of floor plans from the location. This will let you plan the route you will explore so you can make sure you don't miss a room while you are there. You can also use your floor plan to note the exact area you found any paranormal activity.
Visit the location before you plan to explore it. Make sure you will be able to get in. You may need to contact the owner again for a key. You may find your information is out of date and the house has already been demolished, etc.
Don't start out expecting to find something haunted, spooky, etc. Try to be unbiased when you explore. Don't get into scaring each other for fun. If you are serious about detecting paranormal activity, approach the location like a detective or a scientist.
How strange would it look to see huge white airships floating around in Northern Canada? They could be mistaken for fluffy clouds, I don't think they would even be noisy unless they came lower to land. If it could work, I wonder why it hasn't had more interest. They could cost less than running vehicles which run on fossil fuels.
Barry Prentice, president of Buoyant Aircraft Systems International, says airships can provide a lower-cost solution to transport cargo to remote areas, including Northern Canada. He hopes to fly airships to the North one day.
"Something like 70 per cent of our entire landmass has no roads. And if we're going to have access to that area ... we need a means to get there. And the airship offers that solution," says Prentice.
Prentice tells Tremonti that airships would lower the costs by a quarter of what is being spent to fly supplies in to remote areas — the savings have a lot to do with size.
"Airships can get much better as they get bigger ... something over about 10 tonnes is the starting point in terms of the short haul moves in say Ontario and Manitoba," says Prentice.
There are critics who argue the airship industry would cost too much to set up but Prentice says the alternatives converting ice roads to gravel roads, paying for trucking and maintenance doesn't compare. He says airships don't need that infrastructure.
CBC - How airships could make life more affordable in Northern Canada
Canada is the second largest country in the world.
Canada covers five time zones from one coast to the other..
Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories.
Provinces: British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec and Newfoundland, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island are the Maritime Provinces. The territories are north of the provinces: the Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut.
The capital of Canada is Ottawa, Ontario.
We celebrate Canada Day on July 1st.
Canadians speak English and/or French.
Bring Your Passport
Previously the border crossing did not require much (if any) paperwork. That changed due to US government restrictions on travel. As of 2009 you do need a passport to cross the border and travel in Canada mainly because the US border will require your passport to let you back in.
There are a lot of differences in culture and traditions and laws between Canada and the US. Most are not so noticeable in everyday life. Things like Canadian spelling won't be an issue unless you want to work in Canada or stay a lot longer than the average vacation. This top ten list are the things a tourist from the US needs to know.
Many things are the same too. We tell time the same way, the clocks in Canada tell time the same as the US. We drive on the same side of the road as you do in the US.
Currency - Canadian money comes in coins and bills but we have coloured money and our one dollars (loonies) are in coin. We also have the two dollar coin (toonie). Our paper money is steadily being replaced by plastic money so you will still see a mix of bills in paper and plastic.
Metric System - You will manage with the old Imperial system but in Canada we use the Metric system: Mainly you will notice Celsius for temperature. (weather) and kilometres measuring distance when driving on the roads and highways.
Language - Canada is bilingual. This means there are two official languages: English and French. However, we do not all speak French. English is spoken across Canada, even in Quebec and the Maritime provinces where you are most likely to hear French. In Quebec, French is the official language of the province.
Politics - The main Canadian political parties are Liberal, Conservative and NDP. There are smaller parties like the Green Party but what you really need to know is Canada is not a communist country.
Smoking/ Cigarettes - You can not smoke in a public area in Canada. This includes indoors at restaurants. No one will ask if you want smoking or non-smoking because it is all non-smoking. Outside you need to stand far enough from public buildings and entrances to avoid having cigarette smoke entering the premises.
Littering - Canadians can get upset about littering. Sure there are some messy areas but, litterbugs are not okay in Canada. Many people will get upset with someone who litters.
Shoes Off - When coming into someone's home Canadians remove their shoes at the door. Even if they say it is okay to leave your shoes on, should you ask, it really is customary to take them off. I wouldn't have known about this difference in customs but for my Mother living in the US half the year. She noticed it.
Climate and Weather - Canada and the US have seasons at the same time of year. You won't need skis in July, no matter how far north you go. Canada is not the land of endless winter. Summer can be humid and hot.
Wild and Natural - Canada is not one big, wilderness. True, most of the population lives in cities along the Canada/ US border. But, it does not become a vast, unpopulated wilderness once you leave the cities.
Canada is Big - By land mass Canada is bigger than the US and you can not fit Canada inside of Texas, or Alaska or any other US state. You can not drive across Canada in a day. You can not even drive across most of Canada in one day, even if you take a shortcut around the Great Lakes.
Angels of the Underground - Flash-only site of a group of Toronto explorers.
Function - A stylishly chaotic collection of images focusing on decay in downtown Toronto.
Hamilton Urban Exploration Journals - An inconsistently designed set of pages describing one explorer's past and future excursions (no photos yet, and not much text either).
HR Urban Exploration - Extremely under construction site featuring photos of abandoned buildings in Whitby and Oshawa.
Infiltration - You are here, so clicking this link would be pointless. Don't waste your time.
Infiltrators: Be Quick or Be Dead - Pics, maps and descriptions related to several sites in Oakville, as well as a glossary and some legal advice.
Margins of Paradise - Graffiti and urban exploration photos mostly from around Toronto.
Nanoman's Piccah Page - Information relating to Whitby Psychiatic Hospital.
Ontario Abandoned Places - Awkward-to-navigate site with some useful information and some pictures relating to abandoned towns around the province. Lots of locations covered.
Recession Art - Photos of abandoned industrial sites around Ontario --- unfortunately, no descriptions of the trips or the photos are available.
Subway Secrets at Cygnals - Pictures and accounts of tours of Toronto's abandoned subway stations.
The Urban Landscape - Urban exploration in Ottawa, Gatineau and Montreal; focussed on abandoned buildings so far.
Undaground - Pictures and some text about expeditions to the top of the Royal York hotel and under the former Degrassi High.
Underground Belleville - Some photos and mission reports from a now-disbanded group of explorers based in Belleville.
University of Waterloo Service Tunnels - A brief photo tour of the tunnels under the University of Waterloo.
Urban Exploration Barrie - A loose affiliation of folks from in and around the Barrie Ontario area.
Urban-Ex London - They say not to be confused with "Urban Exploration London", but if that's the case why did they use this name? Anyhow, a site about exploring London and southwest Ontario.
Urban Exploration London - A well-established group of explorers exploring abandoned buildings and drains near the mighty Thames.
Urban Exploration Resource - Advice and discussion about some of the popular tunnels and abandoned buildings around Toronto.
Vanishing Point - An encyclopedic guide to Ontario drains, featuring useful advice, interesting write-ups and incredible photographs. Inspiring.
Viewing Hole Gallery - Good pictures and commentary on several expeditions, mostly in the Toronto area.
Abandoned Farm Houses of Ontario - Photographic prints of abandoned farmhouses in Ontario. Taken by Allan Lewis.
Axle's Dark Playgrounds - Photos from exploring in Ontario.
Cygnals Zine: Subway Secrets - Pictures from tours of Toronto's abandoned subway stations.
Dave Till: Toronto Ghost Signs - Flickr photo set with photos of old painted signs around Toronto.
Edward Burtynsky - Photographer explores the intricate link between industry and nature. Based in Ontario.
Flickr: Abandoned Niagara - Abandoned and decaying buildings, barns, and homes in the Niagara region of Ontario.
Flickr: Air33 - A self-taught photographer living in Toronto. Architectural and industrial photography. Especially interested in exploring abandoned buildings.
Flickr: BrickWorks - Images and art depicting the Don Valley Brickworks in Toronto, Ontario.
Flickr: Creepy Ontario - This is a group dedicated to those who love to shoot pictures of the surreal, creepy and just plain unsettling.
Flickr: Ontario Rural Ruins - Derelict, abandoned, ruined buildings, places or things in rural Ontario. Old farm houses, abandoned commercial buildings, ghost signs, old signposts, whatever you stumble upon as you travel around Ontario.
Flickr: Thunder Bay In Decay - Decaying industrial and commercial buildings and miscellaneous debris in the area of Thunder Bay, Ontario.
Flickr: Toronto Architecture - All images must be of buildings, building interiors, building details or other architectural structures. Images of buildings going up or coming down are also welcome.
Flickr: Toronto Urban Decay - Sharing pictures of neglected and abandoned beauty in Toronto.
Flickr: Toronto Urban Exploration Photography - A group for Toronto urban exploration photography.
Flickr: Urban Toronto - For those who are interested in exploring and documenting the urban landscape in Toronto.
Flickr: Wasteland Warriors - Urban exploration, no armchair explorers here.
Flickr: Whitby Psych - Photos and art depicting the infamous abandoned Whitby Psychiatric Facility in Ontario, Canada.
Function - Urban explorations of Toronto, Ontario.
Google Groups: UrbEx Ontario - Members require approval to join. A loose affiliation of acquaintances who love to capture images of delicious structural decay. By researching and photographing Ontario abandonments, we all become more finely attuned to our recent past and rich history.
Infiltrators: Be Quick or Be Dead - Pictures, maps and descriptions related to several sites in Oakville, Ontario.
Kendall Anderson - Abandonments, decay, industrial mayhem based in Ontario.
Live Journal: Toronto Explorers - Post stories, pictures, locations and arrange meet ups with other explorers in the Toronto, Ontario area.
Nanoman's Piccah Page - Information relating to Whitby Psychiatic Hospital.
Ontario Abandoned Places - Features mines, railways, urban exploration locations such as factories and hospitals located in Ontario.
Sean M.L. Galbraith - Photographer and professional urban planner in Toronto, Ontario. Observing and documenting urban life.
Spacing - Understanding Toronto's urban landscape and public spaces.
The Heritage Photography Project - Abandoned houses in Ontario. Over 150 pictures from Genesis Creative Services.
The PhotoMat - Individual collection of photographs taken of urban decay in Toronto.
The Vanishing Point - Chronicling and photographing storm drainage and abandonments in Ontario and further afield.
The View From Up Here - Photoblog from around Ontario. Includes abandoned buildings, farmhouses and urban architecture.
Toronto Psychogeography Society - A loose collection of relentless flâneurs, explorers and walkers. Participants step out of their daily routine and explore the city's overlooked corners to imagine the dynamics of a better future urban environment.
University of Waterloo Service Tunnels - A brief photo tour of the tunnels under the University of Waterloo.
UrbEx Barrie : CopySix - Acquaintances who love to capture images of delicious structural decay in Ontario.
Urban Tresspasser - Exploring locations in Ontario. Photo weblog with some history of the sites.
Worksongs - A photoblog showcasing abandoned places in and around the Toronto area.
Deviant Art: Abandoned Echos - Alicia, Canadian experimental photographer. Includes old and abandoned structures.
Drains Of My City - Showcasing urban exploration in Edmonton, Canada. Includes discussion forum, missions, pictures, and information.
Flickr: Abandoned Quebec - A group to share photos of abandoned urban and rural places in Quebec.
Flickr: Abandoned Saskatchewan - Rural Saskatchewan and signs that humans once were there.
Flickr: Canadian Industry - Everything from the CPR to Research in Motion labs in Waterloo to 4-story-high oil sands trucks to old factories on the lachine canal to Burtynsky-esque photos of slag heaps in the Shield to the tar pools in Sydney.
Flickr: Rural Canada - Pictures from rural areas in Canada, small towns, ghost towns and old buildings.
Flickr: Vanished Montreal - Vintage pictures of Montreal and buildings or things that are going to be demolished soon.
Flickr: Vanishing Vancouver - This group is for photos of disappearing aspects, or little fragments of Vancouver. Share photos of houses slowly falling apart, a building downtown facing the wrecking ball, or photos of some places that are already gone.
Infiltration - Website on urban exploration, featuring a webring, dictionary, and many pointers.
Montreal's Abandoned Buildings - Descriptions and pictures of abandoned buildings in Montreal, PQ
New Bedlam Mental Hospital Patients Alumni - A Winnipeg-based explorer's attempt to preserve history, one photograph at a time.
Night Photographer - A gallery of night photography capturing moonlit landscapes, abandoned places, lightning, fireworks. Larrie Thomson based in Edmonton, Alberta.
SaskUrbEx.com - The only urban exploration site in Saskatchewan covering several locations in the province.
The Urban Landscape Project - Urban exploration in Ottawa, Gatineau and Montreal. Photographing the remarkable details of everything from construction sites, bridges, and modern architectural wonders to tiny features of derelict and decaying structures.
Urban Artography - Photography-oriented site featuring text updates and photo galleries which include tunnels, bridge rooms, construction, abandonments. Based in Edmonton, Alberta.
Urban Exploration Alberta - Dedicated to the exploration of drains, tunnels, buildings, rooftops, mines, and bridge rooms, in Alberta, Canada.
Urban Exploration Resource - Advice and discussion about urban exploration, focusing on Canadian exploring.
Ghost Towns of Canada Chat - Forum for discussion. Requires registration.
Ghost Towns of Western Canada Photo Gallery - A collection of photos of abandoned homes, churches, grain elevators, and other structures in the western provinces.
GhostTownPix.com - Stories, photographs, and history of ghost towns and abandoned structures in Ontario and Alberta, Canada.
Ontario Ghost Towns and Abandoned Places - Extensive collection of photographs, maps and directions, and short histories.
Wikipedia: Ghost towns in Canada - Ghost towns listed in Wikipedia.
Canadian Association of Professional Heritage Consultants - Provides a directory of Canadian professional heritage consultants, calendar of heritage events, recommended reading and list of heritage conferences.
Heritage Foundation of Newfoundland - Aims to protect, preserve, and promote the province's built heritage. Descriptions and histories of registered heritage structures, some with images.
Heritage Society of British Columbia - Aims to conserve historic buildings and other heritage resources. Activities, advice on maintenance and conservation of historic buildings.
North Shore Heritage Preservation Society - Promotes the conservation of historic buildings on the North Shore of Vancouver, British Columbia.
Alberta Urban Exploration Alberta Some very nice work by urban explorers in Red Deer and other Alberta cities. Drains of my City The city is Edmonton, though the webmaster has made quite a few trips to other places, and covers more than just drains. The Corrosion Project: Industrial Archeology Industrial expeditions going all the way back to the mid-80s; mostly around Calgary but venturing into Saskatchewan. All About Ghosts: Alberta
A list of haunted places in the province, complete with links to information about each site.
British Columbia
Some very nice work by urban explorers in the Vancouver area.
All About Ghosts: British Columbia
A list of haunted places in the province, complete with links to information about each site.
Haunted places explored in the world's most liveable city.
Manitoba
A list of haunted places in the province, complete with links to information about each site.
New Brunswick
Exploring forgotten train stations and such in the province of New Brunswick.
All About Ghosts: New Brunswick
A list of haunted places in the province, complete with links to information about each site.
Newfoundland
Large, extensive site covering forgotten places in this Maritime province.
All About Ghosts: Newfoundland
A list of haunted places in the province, complete with links to information about each site.
Ontario Infiltration The original urban exploration website and webzine, about "places you're not supposed to go." Located in Toronto. Viewing Hole Gallery Shockingly good photos of off-limits places of all kinds. Headquartered in Toronto but featuring sites from New York State as well. HR - Urban Exploration Illicit tours of abandoned places in and around Toronto. UEL: Urban Exploration London Exploring the abandoned in London, Ontario, and surrounding areas. UE Canada
Nearly defunct explorers' site out of Barrie, Ontario.
A list of haunted places in the province, complete with links to information about each site.
Dedicated to haunted, possessed, and otherwise spooky locations in Ontario.
Quebec Urban Exploration Montreal Abandoned, occupied, or underground locations of Montreal, explored and photographed. UEQ: Urban Exploration Quebec Highly talented Quebec City explorers with a bilingual website. The Urban Landscape Explore a world closer than you think, in Quebec. Also featuring sites in Ottawa. Urban Recon Montreal
Industrial wastelands and shattered places in Montreal.
Explorers somewhere in Quebec, but the site is in French, so I don't know much more than that.
A list of haunted places in the province, complete with links to information about each site.
Ghost photos from around the city, particularly the cemetery at Notre-Dame-Des-Neiges.
Saskatchewan
All About Ghosts: Saskatchewan
A list of haunted places in the province, complete with links to information about each site.