Correspondence regarding CIRVIS-MERINT reporting procedures and UFO sightings

This document collection comprises a series of administrative records, correspondence, and circulars spanning from 1960 to 1979, primarily concerning the reporting procedures for unidentified flying objects (UFOs) and vital intelligence in Canada. The records detail the transition of UFO investigation responsibilities from the Department of National Defence (DND) to the National Research Council (NRC). A significant portion of the correspondence involves inquiries from researchers and writers, such as Hugh F. Cochrane and an individual identified as 'Mr. X', seeking access to historical files, specifically those related to 'Project Magnet' and 'Project Second Storey'. The documents highlight the bureaucratic challenges in managing UFO reports, including the lack of clear communication between government departments and the inconsistent handling of sighting reports by various RCMP detachments and Department of Transport offices. The collection also includes technical circulars regarding the CIRVIS-MERINT reporting procedure, which was designed to facilitate the reporting of vital intelligence sightings by civilian and military observers to the appropriate authorities. Throughout the correspondence, government officials consistently emphasize that the National Research Council serves as the primary depository for non-meteoritic sighting reports, while also noting that many historical files were destroyed or are otherwise inaccessible. The records reflect a period of evolving government policy regarding the public disclosure and scientific investigation of UFO phenomena in Canada.