1963.10.21
From CR Dunlap
[Click image to clarify and enlarge]
PR/PA
S940-105(CAS)
S10-12(CAS)
OCT 23 1963
MEMORANDUM
Ref Parliamentary Returns No 2340
dated 21 Oct 63
Parliamentary Returns Section
Reply to Question No 1,416
1 The following information is submitted in response to question 1,416 raised by Mr Winch:
(a) Para 1. Canada co-operates with the United States for the investigation of reports of unidentified flying objects. If a report warrants investigation, the investigation is conducted by Air Defence Command. In the normal course of events NORAD Headquarters would receive a copy of the report. Such investigations are not entitled “Project Magnet” and, in fact, no codename is applied to reports of unidentified flying objects.
(b) Para 2. “Project Magnet” was the brain child of the late Wilbert B Smith of the Department of Transport, a project which he carried on in his own time without Government financial support. Because the records of “Project Magnet” were never made available to the Department of National Defence, nothing is known about their equipment or personnel.
(c) Para 3. Wilbert B Smith was employed in the Radio Regulations Division of the Department of Transport, and was the head of a UFO research project which he conducted as a personal undertaking.
(d) Para 4. Files and data compiled under “Project Magnet” – if any – are not controlled by Department of National Defence, therefore, availability of such data to the general public cannot be stated.
ORIGINAL SIGNED BY
(W. M. GARTON) G/C
A/CAS
(C.R. Dunlap)
Air Marshal
Chief of the [Canadian] Air Staff