Documents / Report
The Office of the Chief Science Advisor of Canada issued this June 2025 report of the Sky Canada Project, which reviewed how public reports of unidentified aerial phenomena are handled in Canada. It finds no cohesive, standardized reporting system, no official public platform, limited analysis and little scientific involvement. It compares approaches in the United States, France and Chile, includes a commissioned public survey, and makes fourteen recommendations, including naming a lead federal agency, creating a dedicated reporting service and cooperating with AARO, NASA, GEIPAN and SEFAA.
“Sky Canada Project”26 pages
REPORT OF THE SKY CANADA PROJECT# 21 Breaking the Stigma: The Challenges of Academic Research on UAPs Despite the fact that there can be a valid scientific rationale for studying UAPs, many academic research communities seem to fear stigma associated with pursuing research on this topic. A recent survey7 of 1,460 tenured and tenure-track faculty mem- bers in 144 research-intensive universities in the United States revealed that 53% believed that UAP-related research would jeopardize their tenure or promotion, even though only 7% had a negative opinion of this type of research. A review by the OCSA of two of Canada’s main federal research funding agencies found very few funded projects related to UAPs. For example, over the past 25 years, there have been no grant or funding applications directly related to UAPs at the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC), and only 7 applications and 2 grants or scholarships from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council (SSHRC). Consistent with this, the OCSA only found a dozen graduate level dissertations related to UAPs in Canada over the same 25-year period. Among these was Matthew Hayes’ research at Trent University that gave rise to a comprehensive book titled Search for the Unknown: Canada’s UFO Files and the Rise of Conspiracy Theory (McGill-Queen’s University Press, Montréal, 2022). The book explores the history of UAP sightings in Canada, the response from the government and the resulting perception from the public. The application of the scientific method, advancements in data-gathering technology and initiatives like participatory sci- ence represent important steps toward addressing UAP sight- ings with objectivity and precision. Empowering Discovery: The Role of Participatory Science in Engaging Communities Participatory science, historically called citizen science, involves engaging public volunteers as research assis- tants in scientific projects. It allows researchers to col- lect vast amounts of data over larger geographical areas and longer periods than would be feasible with a small team of scientists and a limited number of instruments. This approach not only accelerates scientific discovery, but just as importantly, strengthens public confidence in science. Additionally, participatory science fosters scientific literacy by providing new opportunities for individuals to actively participate in research initiatives, collaborating with professional scientists in data collec- tion, analysis and interpretation, while learning about the scientific method. As noted in the House of Commons Standing Committee on Science and Research Report on Citizen Science (2023),8 these initiatives are particularly valuable for addressing data gaps and informing public policy, especially in the health (e.g., influenza tracking) and environmental fields (e.g., species monitoring). Such contributions demonstrate the vital role citizen scientists can play in advancing knowledge and supporting evi- dence-based decision-making. D. UAPs and the Public The way reports of UAP sightings are framed and disseminated significantly influences public perception. Some sightings gain widespread attention, fuelled by compelling eyewitness accounts, documented evidence, or extraordinary circumstances. Media coverage and pop culture have further shaped these narratives, embedding certain cases into the collective memory. In particular, well-documented Canadian sightings, such as the Falcon Lake encounter or the Shag Harbour incident, have become cultural touchstones, commemorated not only in local lore but also through initiatives like the Royal Canadian Mint’s UAP-themed coins—as highlighted later. Despite the intrigue, the discourse around UAPs is often fragmented, with inconsistent reporting mechanisms and varying levels of credibility among sources. The rise of conspiracy theories, disinformation and sensationalism can further muddy the waters, making it harder for the public to discern fact from fiction. This section explores the intricate relationship between UAP sightings, media coverage, and public perceptions. It examines how certain sightings gain prominence, the role of media in shaping perceptions, and the broader cultural and scientific implications of these phenomena. It also provides an overview of the history of UAP reports in Canada. The aurora borealis, with its spectacular, shimmering lights, has long inspired curiosity and reflection, raising profound questions about the natural world. The township of Moonbeam,in northern Ontario, known for its roadside flying saucer landmark. Credit: By P199 - Own work, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1857305
Report, cited by the archive. The PDF is mirrored here; the original link is under it. 30 pages are in the text index: search them above, or from the library's search.