The RCMP in Quebec arrested four men last week in an alleged terrorism-participation conspiracy, and said the suspects included serving soldiers.Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press
The soldiers charged in connection with an alleged terrorist conspiracy had been under restrictions that limited their access to army bases and equipment, and none of the weapons, ammunition or explosives in their alleged arsenal originated from the Canadian military, the Department of National Defence says.
The statement from the DND on Monday morning did not say where those items, which were seized as part of the RCMP-led investigation that led to four arrests last week, came from.
DND did not immediately respond to questions from The Globe and Mail about the origins of the night-vision devices that were also seized.
Experts have told The Globe that some of the night optical devices the suspects are alleged by police to have had in their possession or tried to transfer to others, such as an L3Harris BNVD-Fused night-vision device, are American-made military-grade equipment that’s not sold to individuals but only to law-enforcement and government entities.
The RCMP arrested four Quebec City-area men in an alleged terrorism-participation conspiracy, and said the suspects include serving soldiers who had stockpiled more than 80 firearms, 11,000 bullets and 16 explosive devices, in violation of firearms laws, explosives laws and the Defence Production Act – which bans unsanctioned trade in military-grade weapons and equipment.
Tactical gear company cuts ties with soldier accused in alleged Quebec extremist plot, owner says
Police carried out search warrant raids against the alleged conspiracy in January, 2024.
The investigation required over 100 judicial authorizations, a Crown attorney said during a court hearing Monday. The four men appeared at the hearing via video from Orsainville Detention Centre.
Prosecutors previously told The Globe that the RCMP had obtained seven search warrants in January, 2024. Typically, other types of judicial authorizations in such probes could include wiretap warrants and production orders to access e-mail or browsing data.
The Crown will show videos and images for an upcoming bail hearing, federal prosecutor Gabriel Lapierre said Monday at the Quebec City courthouse.
Authorities also said that two of the four accused were active military members posted to Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, near Quebec City.
In an e-mail responding to questions from The Globe, DND spokesperson Nick Drescher Brown said, “We can confirm that these individuals have not been performing military duties and do not have unescorted access to the military base.”
“At any time, should the integrity of a CAF member be called into question, various actions include restricting access to the base, weapons, and individuals’ security clearances in addition to other administrative measures.”
Soldiers accused in Quebec extremist plot allegedly had night-vision gear prohibited for civilians
The DND statement added details about the men’s background.
The most senior serving soldier, Corporal Matthew Forbes, 33, is not charged with terrorism offences but is charged with weapons offences – including violating the Defence Production Act.
Cpl. Forbes was granted bail on Monday. Conditions for his release included wearing a GPS tracking bracelet, depositing his military passport with the court and handing over ammunition and a replica firearm to the RCMP.
He also could not communicate with four men – the other three accused and Julien Thibault, a Quebec man who operates an online business selling night optical devices – unless in the presence of lawyers to prepare for his court case.
At the end of the hearing, Cpl. Forbes’ mother, who was listening to the livestream, said she wanted to say “au revoir” to her son, but he had already gotten up and moved out of camera range.
The next court date for Cpl. Forbes is Sept. 12.
The military’s statement says he enrolled in October, 2016, and joined the 5e Régiment d’artillerie légère du Canada in Nov., 2017. The following year, he was part of the army’s support for the RCMP’s protection of the G7 summit in Charlevoix, Que. In 2019, he deployed with Operation Reassurance in Europe.
The other three men, who face the terrorism charge, will have their bail hearing on July 24 and 25. Mr. Lapierre said the Crown will oppose their release.
Mr. Lapierre told reporters since this is a terrorism charge, it is up to the accused to demonstrate why they should be released. “When it comes to terrorism, the law states there is a reverse onus,” he said. “So it’s on the accused shoulders to demonstrate that their detention is no longer necessary.”
The second serving soldier is Marc-Aurèle Chabot. He enrolled as a reservist in June, 2019, then transferred to the regular forces from the Voltigeurs de Quebec to the 2nd Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment in July, 2023. He never deployed overseas.
The other two accused are Simon Angers-Audet and Raphaël Lagacé. The military said Mr. Angers-Audet enrolled in the Canadian Army as a reservist with the Voltigeurs in June, 2019, and was released in May, 2022, as a private.
Mr. Lagacé was a civilian instructor with the 630 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in Beauport, Que., between January, 2021, and September, 2024.
The RCMP said that the three were “allegedly involved in activities intending to forcibly take possession of land in the Quebec City area.”
The three wanted to create an anti-government militia, the national police said in a statement. “They took part in military-style training, as well as shooting, ambush, survival and navigation exercises. They also conducted a scouting operation. A variety of firearms, some prohibited, as well as high-capacity magazines and tactical equipment were allegedly used.”
