MONTREAL — The RCMP say four people, including active members of the Canadian Armed Forces, are facing charges after allegedly plotting to forcibly take possession of land in the Quebec City area.
Three male suspects allegedly motivated by "violent extremism" were planning to create an anti-government militia, and "took concrete actions" to facilitate terrorist activity, the Mounties say.
They allege the suspects, including two 24-year-olds and a 25-year-old, took part in military-style training using a variety of firearms and high-capacity magazines. They were arrested early Tuesday in Quebec City.
"The three accused were planning to create (an) anti-government militia," the force said in a news release. "To achieve this, they took part in military-style training, as well as shooting, ambush, survival and navigation exercises."
Court documents allege that Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, and Raphaël Lagacé, 25, both of Quebec City, and Simon Angers-Audet, 24, of Neuville, Que., are charged with facilitating a terrorist activity.
The charge sheet says the acts are alleged to have taken place between June 2021 and January 2024 in Quebec City, Montreal, Rolphton, Ont., and Petawawa, Ont., and elsewhere in Quebec, Ontario and Canada.
The three are also facing additional charges relating to the alleged illegal storage of firearms, and possession of explosives and prohibited devices.
Police say a fourth suspect, 33-year-old Matthew Forbes of Pont-Rouge, Que., has been charged with possessing firearms, prohibited devices and explosives, among other offences.
The suspects were expected to appear in court on Tuesday afternoon. Police have not identified which suspects were members of the Canadian Armed Forces.
Police say the investigation began in March 2023. Searches conducted in January 2024 in Quebec City led to the seizure of 16 explosive devices, about 11,000 rounds of ammunition and other weapons.
In an interview, RCMP Cpl. Erique Gasse described the case as "ideologically motivated violent extremism."
The suspects wanted to start an anti-government "community" north of Quebec City, and allegedly used a private Instagram account to recruit members and supporters, he said. RCMP distributed a photo from that Instagram account showing seven people in military-style uniforms brandishing firearms. Gasse did not say who was pictured.
"We know there were followers on that site," he said. "They were trying to recruit people who had knowledge about guns and they were telling people where they were training in Quebec or in Ontario."
When asked about the possibility of more arrests, Gasse said the investigation of the four suspects was complete but new probes could begin if more evidence comes to light.
The charge sheets say the suspects had in their possession weapons including grenades, night vision goggles, high-capacity magazines, and improperly stored firearms.
None of the allegations has been proven in court.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 8, 2025.
Morgan Lowrie, The Canadian Press
