(RCMP) have charged three men with facilitating a terrorist activity

The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) have charged three men with facilitating a terrorist activity and a fourth man with multiple explosives and firearms charges, all in connection with a plot to form an "anti-government militia" in Quebec. The accused are believed to have been active in preparing for violent actions, including military-style training exercises and scouting operations with the intent to forcibly take possession of land in the Quebec City area.

The men, aged 24 to 33, are from various parts of the region and include active members of the Canadian Armed Forces. The case is being treated as an instance of ideologically motivated violent extremism, highlighting concerns about potential threats from within military and law enforcement circles.

The three men facing terrorism facilitation charges are:

1. Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, from Quebec City
2. Simon Angers-Audet, 24, from Neuville
3. Raphaël Lagacé, 25, from Quebec City

The fourth individual, Matthew Forbes, 33, from Pont-Rouge, is charged with various firearm and explosives-related offenses. The charges stem from a series of searches conducted by the RCMP in January 2024, during which they found 16 explosive devices, 83 firearms and accessories, approximately 11,000 rounds of ammunition, nearly 130 magazines, and military equipment.

The Integrated National Security Enforcement Team (INSET) has been involved in the investigation, which is ongoing. The accused are scheduled to appear at the Quebec City courthouse, where further details regarding the charges and potential motives may be revealed. This development underscores the continued vigilance required to combat extremism and the potential for such activities to occur within the country's military and law enforcement communities.