Ufology Research

14,000 Canadians saw UFOs in 2018

New study finds that numbers of UFO reports are down nationally, but five per cent are unexplained

An analysis of UFO sightings reported in Canada in 2018 found that 937 cases were reported from across the country, from witnesses ranging from farmers to airline pilots. This is the lowest on record since 2004, when 882 cases were filed. In fact, for the past several years, the number of UFO reports each year has been well over 1,000. Despite this, the 2018 number of cases is only about a 15 percent decline from last year, and the number may well recover in 2019.

The study was conducted by the private organization Ufology Research, which has been studying national trends in Canadian UFO reports since 1989.

In 2018, Quebec led all Canadian provinces with 41 per cent of all Canadian UFO reports, followed by Ontario (24 per cent) and BC (13 per cent).

About five per cent of all UFO reports were classified as unexplained.

The typical UFO sighting lasted approximately 16 minutes in 2018.

The number of witnesses per UFO report averages to about 1.5, so that about 1,400 Canadians saw UFOs in 2018. And, since polls have shown that only about one on ten witnesses report their UFO sightings, it’s possible that at least 14,000 Canadians saw UFOs in 2018.

The study found that about 40 per cent of all UFO sightings were of simple lights in the sky, but witnesses also reported point sources of light, spheres, and objects shaped like boomerangs.

Study coordinator Chris Rutkowski notes: “Results of this study show that many people continue to report unusual objects in the sky, and some of these objects do not have obvious explanations. Many witnesses are pilots, police and other individuals with reasonably good observing capabilities and good judgement.”

He adds: “Though UFO report numbers are down slightly, interest in the subject remains high, with even mainstream news sources like the Washington Post and CNN doing recent stories on UFOs.”

However, popular opinion to the contrary, there is no incontrovertible evidence that some UFO cases involve extraterrestrial contact. The continued reporting of UFOs by the public and the overall long-term trend of an increase in numbers of UFO reports suggests a need for further examination of the phenomenon by social, medical and/or physical scientists.

For further information, contact:

Ufology Research via e-mail: canadianuforeport [at] hotmail.com

Twitter: [at] ufologyresearch

NB: The 2018 Canadian UFO Survey was produced with the help of Ashley, Sarah, Geoff, Donna, and Curt. Your help was greatly appreciated.