In brief
In a shocking development, four individuals, including members of the Canadian military, have been arrested and charged with planning to forcibly take land near Quebec City. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) described this incident as an act of "ideologically motivated violent extremism." On July 8, 2025, the RCMP announced that three of the men were involved in facilitating terrorist activities, leading to terrorism charges being filed against them. A large cache of firearms, explosives, and ammunition were confiscated during the investigation.
The arrested include 24-year-old Marc-Aurèle Chabot and 25-year-old Raphaël Lagacé from Quebec City, along with 24-year-old Simon Angers-Audet from Neuville. Matthew Forbes, 33, from Pont-Rouge, faces multiple charges related to explosives and firearms crimes. Specific details about which individuals are currently serving in the military were not provided by the authorities, nor was there any information regarding the group's ideological motives.Photographs released by the RCMP depict at least seven individuals wearing Canadian military fatigues engaged in military-style training exercises. These exercises reportedly included shooting, ambush tactics, survival skills, and navigation drills.The investigation, conducted by a national security team that comprises members from Canada’s intelligence service and other law enforcement agencies, has been ongoing for over a year and a half. As part of the operation, law enforcement conducted raids in January 2024, seizing 16 explosive devices, 83 firearms, approximately 11,000 rounds of ammunition, four sets of night vision goggles, and other military paraphernalia.The Canadian Armed Forces have not yet responded to media inquiries about the incident, which raises serious concerns over domestic terrorism and military involvement. The four men are set to appear in court on Tuesday to face the charges brought against them.
