Authorities in Canada have arrested and charged four men, including active members of the military, in connection with an alleged plot to establish an anti-government militia and forcibly seize land in Quebec.
The operation has led to the discovery of what police are calling the largest cache of weapons and explosives ever uncovered in a terrorism-related investigation in the country.
The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced on Tuesday that Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, of Quebec City; Simon Angers-Audet, 24, of Neuville; and Raphaël Lagacé, 25, also of Quebec City, face terrorism-related charges after allegedly undertaking military-style training in preparation for armed action. A fourth man, Matthew Forbes, 33, of Pont-Rouge, has been charged with unlawful possession of firearms, prohibited devices, and explosives.
According to the RCMP, the three principal accused “were planning to create an anti-government militia.” To this end, they participated in training exercises including ambush drills, weapons handling, survival techniques, and land navigation. Police say the group also carried out a reconnaissance mission as part of their preparations.
The arrests follow a major investigation led by Quebec’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team, with assistance from local law enforcement. Although searches were conducted in January 2024, the arrests were only made 18 months later. During those searches, authorities uncovered 16 explosive devices, 83 firearms, more than 11,000 rounds of ammunition, and various pieces of military-grade equipment.
“The scope of the materials seized is unprecedented in this country,” said Jessica Davis, a former intelligence analyst with Canada’s spy agency and current president of Insight Threat Intelligence. “This is the largest cache of equipment and weapons and explosive devices that have ever been found in a terrorist incident, by a long shot, in Canada. I would probably put it among the top disrupted plots globally, especially within NATO countries.”
Images released by the RCMP show a wide array of assault rifles, handguns, ammunition, tactical vests, and other gear. Social media content from one of the accused was also shared, including posts believed to be part of efforts to recruit new members to the group.
While investigators have confirmed the men aimed to create an anti-government militia and seize land near Quebec City, they have not disclosed the group’s exact motivations or ideological leanings, nor have they identified any specific targets.
Terrorism in Canada inflates
Davis noted that recent acts of terrorism in Canada are increasingly tied to ideologically motivated extremism, not international Islamist groups like al-Qaida or the Islamic State, but rather homegrown threats.
“We’re talking about anti-Muslim sentiment, ‘incel’ ideology, and anti-government extremism,” she said. “That’s the real threat in Canada today, not the groups people traditionally associate with terrorism.”
The four men were scheduled to appear in court in Quebec on Tuesday. None of the charges have yet been proven in court.
