Soldiers accused in alleged Quebec militia plot had limited access to army bases, equipment

Globe and Mail

6 hours ago

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 (DND) 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.
Tactical gear company cuts ties with soldier accused in alleged Quebec extremist plot, owner says
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 third-generation 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.
Last week, the RCMP in Quebec arrested four men in an alleged terrorism-participation conspiracy, and said the suspects include serving soldiers who had assembled a stockpile of more than 80 firearms, 11,000 bullets and 16 explosive devices, in violation of firearms laws, explosives laws and the Defence Production Act – the law that bans unsanctioned trade in military-grade weapons and equipment.
Police carried out search warrant raids against the alleged conspiracy a year and a half ago, in Jan., 2024.
The RCMP investigation in the case required over 100 judicial authorizations, a Crown attorney said during a court hearing Monday.
Prosecutors previously told The Globe that the RCMP had obtained seven search warrants in Jan., 2024. Typically, other types of judicial authorizations in such investigations could include wiretap warrants and production orders sent to internet providers to access e-mail or browsing data.
The Crown will need equipment to 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 arrested suspects were military members posted to Canadian Forces Base Valcartier, just north of Quebec City.
Soldiers accused in Quebec extremist plot allegedly had night-vision gear prohibited for civilians
In an e-mail responding to questions from The Globe, Nick Drescher Brown, spokesperson for DND, 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,' Mr. Drescher Brown said.
The RCMP arrested the four men last week on weapons and conspiracy charges, saying that some were active members of the Canadian Armed Forces 'who were allegedly involved in activities intending to forcibly take possession of land in the Quebec City area.'
The statement released by DND on Monday 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, letting the Canadian Forces deposit his military passport with the court and handing over ammunition and a replica firearm to the RCMP. His next court date is Sept. 12.
The military's statement says he enrolled in Oct., 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, citing section 515(10)(c) of the Criminal Code to justify custody to maintain confidence in the administration of justice in cases involving serious offences and firearms.
The second serving soldier is Marc-Aurèle Chabot. He is said to have enrolled in the Canadian Army as a Reservist in June, 2019, and then transferred to the regular forces from the Voltigeurs de Quebec regiment to the 2nd Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment in July, 2023. The military says he never deployed.
The other two accused are Simon Angers-Audet and Raphaël Lagacé. The military says Mr. Angers-Audet enrolled in the Canadian Army as a reservist with the Voltigeurs de Quebec 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 Jan., 2021, and Sept., 2024.
When the RCMP laid charges against the group, police said that the accused – with the exception of Cpl. Forbes – were 'allegedly involved in activities intending to forcibly take possession of land in the Quebec City area.'
'The three accused were planning to create anti-government militia. To achieve this, they took part in military-style training, as well as shooting, ambush, survival and navigation exercises. They also conducted a scouting operation,' the RCMP said. 'A variety of firearms, some prohibited, as well as high-capacity magazines and tactical equipment were allegedly used in these activities.'