Four men, including two active members of the Canadian Armed Forces, have been charged in connection with an alleged plot to form an "anti-government militia" and forcibly seize land in the Québec City area, according to the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).
The suspects, identified as Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, Raphaël Lagacé, 25, both from Québec City, Simon Angers-Audet, 24, from Neuville, and Matthew Forbes, 33, from Pont-Rouge, were arrested and are due to appear in court in Québec City on Tuesday.
The RCMP alleges that three of the men—Chabot, Lagacé, and Angers-Audet—engaged in military-style training, shooting exercises, and scouting operations as part of their plan, which police say involved "concrete actions to facilitate terrorist activity." Forbes faces additional charges for possessing prohibited firearms and explosives.
In January 2024, police seized 16 explosive devices, 83 firearms and accessories, nearly 11,000 rounds of ammunition, 130 magazines, night-vision goggles, and military equipment during a search. The RCMP also revealed that one suspect operated an Instagram account to recruit members for the alleged militia.
The Canadian Armed Forces confirmed that two of the suspects are active members but did not disclose their identities. The military stated it is treating the allegations seriously and has fully cooperated with the investigation.
The arrests come amid growing concerns about extremism within the Canadian military. A 2022 report highlighted a rise in army members linked to extremist groups, prompting calls for stronger measures to address the issue.
The RCMP has not detailed the group’s specific motives but said their intent was to forcibly take control of land in the Québec City region. The investigation is ongoing.
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