Canadians logged 1,052 UFO sightings in 2025 — the highest number since the peak of 1,243 reports during the 2020 pandemic year and a modest rise from 1,008 in 2024. The data comes from the newly released “2025 Canadian UFO Survey”, compiled by the Manitoba-based group Ufology Research and longtime researcher Chris Rutkowski. The survey has tracked UFO reports nationwide since 1989 and now totals more than 26,000 documented sightings.
Sightings poured in from “every province and territory”, with Ontario leading at 307 reports (roughly 30%), followed by Quebec (210) and British Columbia (131). Other notable concentrations included Alberta and a surprising jump in Nova Scotia (117 cases), possibly fueled by active local social media groups. Major cities topped the list too: Toronto (53), Vancouver (45), Montreal (30), Calgary (28), and Edmonton (23).
The vast majority of reports described simple “point sources of light” (52% of cases), followed by spheres or orbs (11%), triangles (5%), and classic discs (5%). White lights dominated (48%), with multicoloured objects at 16%. About 13% of sightings happened in daylight. Average duration rose to 47 minutes — longer than in recent years — which researchers say often points to slow-moving astronomical objects or satellites.
Witnesses ranged from everyday citizens (farmhands, teachers) to professionals (airline pilots, police officers). Some reports even came from official aviation channels: Transport Canada’s database contributed 18 cases, including a pilot near Vancouver International Airport who spotted an “unrecognizable flying object of mechanical nature, without lights,” and another over northern Alberta describing a “cylinder-shaped object” at 39,000 feet.
After analysis, only 3.42% of the 1,052 reports (roughly 36 cases) were classified as “unexplained.” Rutkowski, who has written 10 books on the topic, stressed: “The vast majority of reported UFOs are easily explainable as stars, planes and satellites… but a small number didn’t have easy explanations.” He added that an “Unknown” classification does not imply alien visitation.
Notable unexplained examples include:
- A December 2025 sighting near Hafford, Saskatchewan: a “domed, silver disc-shaped object hovering across the highway, 20 feet off the ground.”
- An April 2025 event in Sudbury, Ontario: a glowing “orange diamond” that rose higher and transformed into an orb.
Rutkowski attributes the rebound partly to post-pandemic curiosity and increased awareness. “One in 10 Canadians believe they have seen a UFO,” he noted. “It cuts across all demographics.” Seasonal patterns shifted too: August remained the peak month, with an unusual spike in January reports during mid-winter.
The survey draws from public submissions, UFO research groups like MUFON, social media, and official aviation logs. Rutkowski encourages more people to report sightings without fear of ridicule: “In order to better understand the UFO phenomenon, we need more data, and that data comes from witnesses coming forward.”
The private survey arrives amid rising official attention. In 2025, Canada’s Chief Science Advisor released the “Sky Canada” report, which estimated 600–1,000 annual UAP (unidentified aerial phenomena) sightings and recommended creating a dedicated federal office for standardized collection and study. Rutkowski supports the idea, saying Canada should better understand any incursions into its airspace “regardless of UAP origin.”
The terminology itself is evolving: “UFO” is increasingly replaced by “UAP” in scientific and government circles, mirroring efforts south of the border at the U.S. Pentagon.
While the 2025 Canadian UFO Survey found no evidence of extraterrestrial activity, it underscores a simple truth: thousands of Canadians look up each year and see something they can’t immediately explain. Most turn out to be ordinary. A persistent few do not — and that small mystery keeps researchers like Rutkowski collecting data year after year.
If you spotted something unusual in 2025 (or anytime), the survey welcomes reports through participating organizations and the Canadian UFO Survey website. As Rutkowski puts it, “You are definitely in very good company.”
The full 2025 report and historical data are available at canadianuforeport.ca.