UFO Canada - vol 1 no 1

Magazine Overview

Title: UFO CANADA
Issue: Number 1
Date: July 1977
Publisher: UFO CANADA
Location: 1424 Vendome Ave, Chomedey, Laval P.Q. Canada H7W 1S1
Subscription Rates: $6 in Canada and USA, $7 elsewhere.

UFO CANADA is a monthly publication dedicated to reporting on the UFO situation in Canada and globally. It covers case histories, research, and related news, featuring articles by individual authors whose opinions are their own.

Contents

The issue features several articles, including:

• CLOSE ENCOUNTER IN B.C. by Howard Gontovnick (p. 3)
• CANADIAN UFO COVER-UP by Howard Gontovnick (p. 11)
• SEVEN MAXIMS OF UFOs - A SCIENTIFIC APPROACH PART 1 by Peter M. Millman (p. 15)
• CANADIAN SAUCER SCENE by Howard Gontovnick (p. 5)
• WORLD SAUCER SCENE by Howard Gontovnick (p. 9)
• UFOLOGY TODAY by Howard Gontovnick (p. 8)

Close Encounter in B.C.

This article by Howard Gontovnick details an incident on January 5, 1977, on Highway 16 in British Columbia. A 17-year-old witness (Mr. A) observed an elongated red light UFO hovering over power lines. As an oncoming car approached, the UFO swooped down, made a 90-degree turn, and passed very low. Mr. A reported a red beam of light from the UFO's dome, a tingling sensation, and his car's engine, headlights, and radio failing. He swerved off the road to avoid the object, which was about 30 feet away. The driver of the oncoming car (Witness B) also saw a red light and blacked out. Upon waking, both witnesses were confused about their vehicles' positions. Further details gathered during the investigation include the object's size (30-40 feet long), its dark, rough, dull green body, a bright red glowing dome, two stubby webbed wings, a circular base, and specks of light in the dome. No sound was reported, and Mr. A experienced nightmares. The case was under investigation, with information sourced from APRO Bulletin, March 1977.

Canadian Saucer Scene

This section reviews UFO sightings and related news from Canada.

• A) Victoria, B.C. (March 9, 1977): Susanna and Maria Stratford (17 and 15) saw a shiny saucer-shaped object with a red light descend to about 30 feet, hover for 20 minutes, and then disappear east. (Source: Victoria Times)
• B) Napanee, Ont. (March 19, 1977): Mrs. Sylvia Laidler and her daughter encountered an unknown airborne object over Highway 401. It appeared as a red streak, then a triangular shape with turquoise and red flashing lights, hovering over their car before disappearing. (Source: Belleville Intelligencer)
• C) Vancouver, B.C. (Date unknown): Two weather office employees, George Thrupp and Margaret Mancor, reported seeing a cigar-shaped object, orange on top and blue underneath, with portholes, moving faster than a fighter plane.

UFO Base Under Lake Ontario??

This news feature by Howard Gontovnick discusses the theory of an underwater UFO base in Lake Ontario, initially proposed by the late biologist Irving T. Sanderson in his 1970 book "Invisible Residents." Malcolm Williams of Niagara Falls is cited as a proponent of this theory, believing proof can be found in satellite photographs showing areas of intensive heat. Williams suggests the base is located off the shoreline of Oakville and Burlington. The article notes that the hydro corridor through Burlington and the Lakeview generating station might attract UFOs. A channel in Lake Ontario, about 550 feet deep, is also mentioned as a potential location. Sources include "Invisible Residents" by Irving T. Sanderson, and newsclippings from Niagara Falls Review and Oakville Journal.

UFOLOGY TODAY

This section provides a roundup of recent information.

• CIA Harasses UFO Watchers: William Spaulding, director of Ground Saucer Watch (GSW), claims the CIA has interfered with UFO investigations, recommending researchers be watched and considered "subversive." A former CIA agent, Bradley Ayers, suggests the agency is being made a "whipping boy." (Credit: Cedar Rapids Gazette, April 22, '77)
• San José de Valderas Photo's a Hoax?: Photographs from a 1967 incident in Spain were analyzed by GSW using digital techniques. The conclusion was that the object in the picture was a model less than eight inches in diameter, supported by a thread. (Source: International UFO reporter)

World Saucer Scene

This report by Howard Gontovnick focuses on Scandinavian UFO Information (SUFOI).

• SUFOI - Scandinavian UFO Information: Founded in 1957, SUFOI is the oldest and largest UFO organization in the Nordic countries. It was established by individuals interested in Unidentified Flying Objects. SUFOI publishes a bi-monthly bulletin, "UFO-Nyt," covering astronomy, space travel, and UFOs, with a focus on Scandinavian reports. They also issue an English-language "Newsletter" for foreign contacts. SUFOI is a private, independent, non-profit organization run by volunteers, with a seven-member executive committee and various departments including Research, Information, and Publication. They have received and processed approximately 6000 Scandinavian reports over the years, with about 650 received in 1975.

Canadian UFO Cover-Up

This article by Howard Gontovnick details the Canadian government's involvement in UFO research.

• Project Magnet (1950-1953): Established by the Department of Transport and headed by Wilbert B. Smith, this project aimed to collect and analyze UFO sighting reports. In 1953, Smith assembled electronic devices to test if UFOs were interplanetary vehicles exhibiting strange electromagnetic and gravitational properties.
• Experiment (August 8, 1954): Instruments at Shirley Bay, Ontario, recorded readings significantly higher than those from large aircraft, but the object was not visible due to overcast skies.
• Special Committee (May 1955): A committee announced that no UFOs were detected at Shirley Bay, leading to speculation of a government attempt to silence Smith and cover up findings.
• Project Second Story (April 1952): This study, reviewed in the Condon Report, aimed to determine if the government should undertake a large-scale UFO investigation. The article suggests this project's purpose was to concentrate on covering up UFOs in Canadian skies and that committee members were aware of their debunking role.
• Secret Project (1954): Donald E. Keyhoe's book "Aliens From Space" mentions a secret project in 1954 where the Canadian government attempted to capture a UFO in Alberta. This plan failed and was not revealed until 1969.

The article concludes that the Canadian government immediately assembled a "restricted" team of scientists, and when significant data emerged, the project director was silenced, indicating a cover-up. The government's actions led to public disinterest in UFOs, allowing them to continue underground research.

Seven Maxims of UFOs - A Scientific Approach Part 1

This article by Peter M. Millman introduces the concept of approaching UFO phenomena with scientific curiosity and an open mind.

• Introduction: Millman notes humanity's inherent curiosity and intelligence, which drive the accumulation of knowledge. Unusual events are often fitted into existing frameworks, or dismissed if they don't fit. UFO experiences have gained public interest, displacing earlier fascinations like spiritualism.
• Personal Background: Millman states he is not an expert but has had a lifelong interest in observation, starting with collecting as an amateur naturalist and later studying astronomy for sixty years.
• Specialization in Meteoritics: His work with meteoritics has led him to investigate various sky phenomena. He highlights the variability of human reactions to events, recalling interviews with hundreds of people who witnessed fireballs.
• Approach to UFOs: Millman emphasizes that this article will not be a study of specific sightings but will focus on basic principles or maxims relevant to the subject. He stresses the importance of maintaining an open mind, an unprejudiced attitude, and forming conclusions based on unbiased common sense, rejecting ridicule and emotional reactions. The article begins with a quotation from the Bible and is marked as "End of Part 1."

Recurring Themes and Editorial Stance

This issue of UFO CANADA strongly emphasizes the Canadian context of UFO phenomena, with multiple articles focusing on Canadian sightings, government projects, and potential cover-ups. There is a clear critical stance towards government secrecy and a belief that official explanations may be designed to debunk rather than investigate. The magazine promotes a scientific yet open-minded approach to UFO research, as advocated by Peter M. Millman, encouraging readers to form their own conclusions based on evidence and reason. The recurring theme of government involvement, particularly the alleged cover-up of UFO information in Canada, is a central focus throughout the issue.