Canadian Armed Forces Members Charged in Alleged Anti-Government Militia Plot in Quebec

Authorities have charged four Quebec men—including two active members of the Canadian Armed Forces—with terrorism-related offences after they allegedly planned to seize land in the Quebec City area and form an anti-government militia. Officials have described the case as unprecedented and alarming.

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confirmed the arrests on Tuesday, following an 18-month investigation by the Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET).

Active CAF Members Accused of Terrorist Activity

Among those arrested are:

• Corporal Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, stationed at CFB Valcartier
• Corporal Matthew Forbes, 33, of Pont-Rouge, also serving at Valcartier
• Simon Angers-Audet, 24, of Neuville, a former CAF member
• Raphaël Lagacé, 25, of Quebec City, a former Royal Canadian Air Cadets instructor

Authorities accuse all four men of participating in ideologically motivated violent extremism, and they charged three with knowingly facilitating terrorist activity. Officials confirmed that Chabot and Forbes both serve in the Canadian military.

Military-Grade Weapons and Militia Recruitment

Police allege that between 2021 and 2024, the men amassed an arsenal of firearms, explosives, and tactical equipment in preparation for creating a militia. During searches conducted in January 2024, authorities seized:

• 83 firearms
• 16 explosive devices
• Over 11,000 rounds of ammunitio
• Night vision goggle
• Smoke grenades
• High-capacity magazines
• Laser sighting systems (including some with erased serial numbers)

The group also allegedly underwent military-style training, including shooting, ambush, survival, and navigation exercises, and conducted scouting operations on land they intended to occupy.

According to the RCMP, one suspect ran a private Instagram account used to recruit militia members, targeting individuals with firearm expertise.

‘Extremely Serious and Dangerous’

RCMP Staff Sgt. Camille Habel stated that the arrests were made to prevent a violent act. “The plan was really ongoing,” she said. “We needed to ensure public safety and stop it before it escalated further.”

Prosecutors objected to the suspects’ release during a video court appearance on Tuesday. Their next court date is set for July 14.

According to court documents, their activities spanned Montreal, Quebec City, and Ontario — including Petawawa and Rolphton. One suspect is accused of illegally transferring military-grade night vision and laser equipment to others across Canada, the U.S., and France.

A Historic and Troubling Case

National security experts say the case stands out as unlike anything seen before in Canada. Professor Michael Nesbitt, a terrorism law expert, noted that this marks the first time authorities have accused active CAF members of diverting military weapons for an extremist plot.

“This isn’t just about ideology,” said Carleton University’s Leah West, a former CAF member and national security expert. “It’s the planned amassing of skills and weapons that makes it dangerous.”

A 2022 federal report had already flagged concerns about extremist infiltration within Canada’s military. It described the threat as growing, increasingly covert, and hard to detect due to new technologies.

Military leadership, including Brigadier-General Vanessa Hanrahan, acknowledged that the CAF collaborated with the RCMP on this case and emphasized that violent extremism is not tolerated within the ranks.

The investigation is ongoing. Authorities are urging anyone with information on ideologically motivated violent extremism to contact the RCMP or the National Security Information Network.

What are your thoughts on this case involving active military members? Should Canada tighten its vetting for extremist affiliations in the armed forces?

More…

• https://www.ctvnews.ca/montreal/on-patrol/article/canadian-armed-forces-members-planned-to-forcibly-take-land-in-quebec-rcmp-say
• https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-canadian-armed-forces-members-among-four-charged-in-quebec-extremist
• https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/quebec/armed-forces-members-part-of-alleged-terror-plot-to-take-over-land-in-quebec-rcmp/article_cc211ad4-a7df-5623-8e74-182197713ade.html