Canadian MP Larry Maguire Sponsors Parliamentary Petition e-5178 Calling for National UAP Task Force

Canadian Conservative Member of Parliament Larry Maguire officially sponsored parliamentary petition e-5178, categorized under "National defence and military operations," on the Parliament of Canada House of Commons Chamber website. The petition was initiated by Benjamin Bruce Schofield of Winnipeg, Manitoba, and was open for public signatures until January 19, 2025, at 2:17 p.m. EST. Maguire confirmed his involvement to The Debrief, stating: "I was approached by Benjamin Schofield who initiated the petition and I agreed to act as its official parliamentary sponsor."

The petition argues that UAP-related information is currently scattered across Canadian government departments, leading to inconsistent responses, and that Canadian allies — notably the United States — have made significant strides through dedicated offices and public reporting mechanisms. It calls on the Canadian government to establish a National Task Force on UAPs comprising representatives from the Department of National Defence, Transport Canada, Public Safety Canada, and scientific experts, with a mandate to investigate, analyze, and publicly report UAP activities.

Additional demands in the petition include the development of standardized protocols for UAP reporting and investigation to ensure timely information sharing across government and scientific bodies, and the creation of a secure, centralized public reporting system accessible to all Canadians with regular updates to promote transparency and public trust. The petition also calls for active engagement in international UAP research collaborations, leveraging data and expertise from allied nations.

Maguire made several direct statements to The Debrief emphasizing the need for transparency and coordination. "I have always been clear that our current approach to UAP monitoring is haphazard and leaves too much room for speculation," he said. "The excessive secrecy is absurd. By making information publicly available, it will help scientists and researchers analyze the data and cross reference it with other opensource material." He also cited the role of stigma in limiting UAP reporting, pointing to recent U.S. congressional hearings as a model for shifting public discourse.

Maguire noted that the petition aligns with his long-standing efforts dating back to 2021, when he first called for official Canadian government action on UAPs and their national security implications. He referenced the Chief Science Advisor's upcoming Sky Canada Project as a potential domestic mechanism for progress. The Debrief identified Maguire as the second Canadian politician to publicly advocate for UAP transparency since former Minister of Defence Paul Hellyer did so in 2005.