Department of National Defence - Unidentified Flying Objects (UFO) Correspondence and Reports (1950-1965)

This document is a compilation of correspondence, internal memos, and administrative dockets from the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) regarding Unidentified Flying Objects (UFOs) and fireballs between 1950 and 1965. The file documents the Canadian government's official stance and procedural approach to handling public reports of aerial phenomena. The DND followed procedures similar to those of the United States, specifically referencing JANAP 146, where reports were passed to Air Defence Command for correlation and investigation. The official policy emphasized that no incident had been found to constitute a threat to national security, with most sightings attributed to natural phenomena like meteorites or atmospheric effects. The file includes specific case reports, such as a 1952 sighting in the Montreal area, a 1952 incident in Fort Nelson, and various reports of fireballs and meteorites. It also documents the formation of the 'Project Second Storey' committee under the Defence Research Board, which was tasked with standardizing the reporting and investigation of these phenomena. The correspondence reveals a consistent effort by the DND to manage public inquiries while maintaining that UFO reports were not a matter of serious concern, often dismissing them as natural occurrences or misidentifications of conventional aircraft. The file also touches upon the activities of Wilbert B. Smith and 'Project Magnet,' noting that the DND had no official involvement or equipment related to his private research.