Four men, including two serving members of the Canadian Armed Forces, have been arrested and charged in connection with what authorities describe as an attempted creation of an anti-government militia and plans to seize land by force in the Québec City area.

 

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) announced the charges on Monday, detailing a months-long investigation that uncovered a disturbing cache of weapons and explosives, as well as signs of paramilitary-style activity and recruitment efforts.

 

According to police, three of the suspects participated in training exercises involving firearms, tactical maneuvers, and surveillance missions, all of which took place near Québec City. The group reportedly amassed an arsenal including 83 firearms, 16 explosive devices, nearly 11,000 rounds of ammunition, and around 130 magazines. Authorities also recovered night-vision gear and other military equipment.

 

“These individuals took concrete actions to facilitate terrorist activity,” the RCMP said in an official statement. The alleged plot involved plans to forcibly take control of land in the region, though investigators have not yet disclosed the ideological motivations behind the group’s actions.

 

Those charged include Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, and Raphaël Lagacé, 25, both from Québec City; Simon Angers-Audet, 24, from Neuville; and Matthew Forbes, 33, from Pont-Rouge. Forbes faces additional charges for the illegal possession of firearms and explosives, some of which are banned under Canadian law.

 

The RCMP noted that one suspect had created an Instagram account to recruit members into the militia, signaling an attempt to grow the group beyond its initial core.

 

In a separate statement, the Canadian Armed Forces confirmed that two active-duty members were among those charged, though their identities were not revealed. “The Canadian Armed Forces is taking these allegations very seriously and has fully participated in the investigation,” the statement read.

 

The arrests have reignited concerns about extremist infiltration within Canada’s military ranks. A 2022 report by the Armed Forces’ advisory panel on systemic racism and discrimination had already warned of a rise in military personnel linked to far-right and extremist movements.

 

All four suspects are scheduled to appear in court in Québec City on Tuesday. The investigation remains ongoing.