A new poll shows that B.C. residents had a heightened fear of terrorism even before the mass shooting in Orlando.

Earlier this month, CTV Vancouver teamed up with pollster Insights West to ask hundreds of British Columbians what they're afraid of. Terrorism came out on top, with nearly half of respondents saying they were "very" or "somewhat" afraid. Overall, 43 per cent said they were afraid of terrorism, but the number jumped to 48 per cent for respondents over the age of 55.

"Vancouver is becoming an international city, a world-class city," terrorism expert Andre Gerolymatos said of the results.

"It's attracting attention, and big cities with a lot of attention can also attract horrible activity like terrorism."

Insights West vice president Mario Canseco said he believes the numbers would have been much lower had the poll been conducted 20 or 30 years ago.

Canseco said terror attacks are more feared now because they are so public, and so unpredictable.

"You can choose not to get into an elevator if you're afraid of confined space. You can choose not to fly and take the ferry (instead) if you're afraid of heights. But this is one of those things you have no control with. It could happen any time," he said.

And terror attacks have happened on Canadian soil in recent history. Less than two years ago, a shooter stormed Parliament and opened fire after killing a soldier.

Closer to home, a plot to bomb Canada Day celebrations in Victoria was foiled by RCMP in 2013.

"That too is on the minds of British Columbians, that we had two people who live here who wanted to kill a lot of us," Gerolymatos said.

But the terror expert said B.C. residents should be aware, not afraid, of the risk.

"The odds of being killed in a terrorist attack in Canada are less than being struck by lightning," he said.

While terrorism was the greatest fear, 40 per cent of people polled said they're afraid of heights, and another 40 are scared of snakes. Thirty-eight per cent of respondents said they were very or somewhat afraid of being victim of a crime, and 37 per cent said they're afraid of nuclear war. Other fears included in the poll were public speaking, spiders, drowning, germs, mice, needles and strangers. Despite the responses, B.C.'s biggest killers are cancer and heart disease.

Insights West conducted online interviews with 802 adult residents of B.C., between May 31 and June 3. The poll is considered accurate within 3.5 per cent.

The poll's results follow:

  • Terrorism 43 per cent, but 48 per cent for 55+
  • Heights 40 per cent, but 43 per cent among 18-34
  • Snakes 40 per cent, but 42 per cent among 18-34
  • Being the victim of a crime 38 per cent, but 46 per cent among women
  • Nuclear war 37 per cent, but 42 per cent among 55+
  • Public speaking 36 per cent, but 43 per cent among 35-54
  • Spiders 33 per cent, but 42 per cent among women
  • Confined spaces 32 per cent
  • Death 30 per cent
  • Water / drowning 24 per cent
  • Germs 23 per cent
  • Insects 23 per cent
  • Mice 17 per cent
  • Needles/getting shots 17 per cent
  • Flying (airplane/helicopter) 16 per cent
  • Crowds 16 per cent
  • Being alone 12 per cent
  • Strangers 12 per cent
  • Darkness 12 per cent
  • Blood 11 per cent
  • Open water (ferry/Boat/Ship) 10 per cent
  • Ghosts 10 per cent
  • Clowns 7 per cent
  • Dogs 7 per cent
  • Birds 3 per cent
  • Fish 2 per cent
  • Open spaces 2 per cent

With a report from CTV Vancouver's Shannon Paterson