Terror suspects from Quebec to stay in detention until their upcoming trial
Three Quebec Men and a Canadian Armed Forces Corporal Charged with Terrorism-Related Offenses
Three Quebec men, Marc-Aurèle Chabot (24), Raphaël Lagacé (25), and Simon Angers-Audet (24), along with Corporal Matthew Forbes (33) of the Canadian Armed Forces, have been charged with facilitating terrorist activities and illegal possession of weapons and military equipment. The charges stem from an alleged plot to create an anti-government militia aimed at forcibly seizing land near Quebec City [1][3][5].
Authorities seized a substantial arsenal of weapons, including 58 firearms, high-capacity magazines, military smoke grenades, laser aiming devices, and night-vision goggles. A larger cache was discovered in a 2024 raid, including 16 explosive devices, 83 firearms, and 11,000 rounds of ammunition. Some weapons were reportedly diverted from the Canadian military [1][3][5].
The alleged conspiracy spanned from 2021 to 2024 and involved training in weapons use, survival, ambush tactics, and scouting operations. The group is believed to have had broader membership, with at least 15 members involved in paramilitary-style activities. One accused operated a private Instagram account to recruit more militia members [1][3][5].
The court proceedings began in July 2025, with prosecutors arguing for continued custody. The three accused—Chabot, Lagacé, and Angers-Audet—have been detained since their arrest on July 8, while Forbes was released on bail on July 14. Specific details about the seized weapons and the investigation have been withheld due to a publication ban [1][3].
Raphaël Lagacé was a civilian instructor within the 630 Squadron of the Royal Canadian Air Cadets in Beauport from 2021 to 2024. Simon Angers-Audet was intercepted with five firearms, 18 magazines, two smoke grenades, and a military signal flare. Marc-Aurèle Chabot had three firearms, five magazines, nine military smoke grenades, and a laser sighting system at the time of his arrest, according to the RCMP. Corporal Forbes, a bombardier, has been deployed twice since joining the army in October 2016 [1][3].
The judge made his decision based on the criterion of "maintaining public confidence in the administration of justice." The trial is expected to last four to six weeks, and no convictions have been made yet. This case underscores the growing concern about ideologically motivated violent extremism in Canada, characterized by anti-government views seeking to establish alternative societies through force [5].
| Individual(s) | Charges | Status | Notes | |-------------------------------|---------------------------------------------------|------------------------------|--------------------------------------------------------| | Marc-Aurèle Chabot, Raphaël Lagacé, Simon Angers-Audet | Facilitating terrorism, illegal possession of weapons | Arrested, charged, in custody as of July 2025 | Accused of militia plot, training, recruitment | | Corporal Matthew Forbes | Illegal ownership and transfer of firearms and military equipment | Arrested, charged | Two members active Canadian Armed Forces | | Group activity | Plot from 2021-2024, paramilitary training, planned land seizure | Investigation ongoing | Raid in Jan 2024 uncovered weapons cache |
The trial will take place in the fall of 2026 [1][3].
[1] CBC News. (2025, July 8). Four people charged in Quebec City anti-government militia plot, RCMP says. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/quebec-city-rcmp-militia-plot-charges-1.6112512
[3] Global News. (2025, July 8). RCMP alleges Quebec City militia plot involved anti-government views, planned land seizure. Retrieved from https://globalnews.ca/news/9082568/quebec-city-rcmp-militia-plot-charges/
[5] The Globe and Mail. (2025, July 8). Four people arrested in Quebec City for alleged anti-government militia plot. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/article-four-people-arrested-in-quebec-city-for-alleged-anti-government-militia/
- The charged individuals, including three Quebec men and a Canadian Armed Forces Corporal, are accused of plotting an anti-government militia, which aimed to forcibly seize land near Quebec City, thereby implying a connection between politics (government) and war-and-conflicts.
- The authorities are investigating the alleged anti-government militia case, falling under the category of general news, that involves crime-and-justice facts such as illegal possession of weapons and military equipment, an implication of politics in the process, and a potential war-and-conflicts scenario.
