Four suspects, including three active Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) members, face terrorism charges after the RCMP uncovered an alleged anti-government militia cell operating in Quebec. The group is accused of conducting paramilitary training camps and using social media to recruit new members.Marc-Aurele Chabot, 24, of Quebec City, Simon Angers-Audet, 24, of Neuville, and Raphael Lagace, 25, of Quebec City, all face charges of facilitating terrorist activity under Section 83.19 of the Criminal Code..A fourth suspect, Matthew Forbes, 33, of Pont-Rouge, faces multiple firearms and explosives-related charges.The RCMP investigation revealed that the suspects formed an extremist cell that conducted outdoor training exercises with firearms and military equipment. .One of the accused allegedly created and ran an Instagram account specifically designed to recruit new members to the anti-government militia..Chabot, who serves with the 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Regiment at the Citadelle de Quebec, is accused of being the cell leader who organized paramilitary training camps. The 2 R22eR is a mechanized infantry battalion and Canada's only fully francophone regular infantry regiment.Angers-Audet, a combat engineer with the 2nd Combat Engineer Regiment, allegedly provided ordnance expertise and knowledge of improvised explosive device construction. Combat engineers receive specialized training in explosives, demolitions, and tactical engineering. Audet was likely stationed at CFB Valcartier near Quebec City..Lagace, an infantry reservist with Les Voltigeurs de Quebec, is accused of conducting reconnaissance operations and recruitment through social media. As a reservist, he likely had civilian employment while serving part-time with the historical Quebec-based unit.Forbes, the only civilian among the four, worked as a firearms enthusiast and logistics coordinator. Police allege he secured explosives, night-vision equipment, and other prohibited items for the group. .His charges include possession of controlled items under the Defence Production Act..The Instagram account featured photos of individuals in combat fatigues and military equipment, outdoor training exercises with firearms, and winter and summer training. .The account served as a gateway to recruit firearms enthusiasts into the extremist cell, according to the RCMP.The investigation revealed that the cell used encrypted messaging platforms to coordinate activities. At least one suspect had his occupation listed as "Canadian Armed Forces member" on his Facebook profile. The group conducted vehicle-based tactical scenarios and sophisticated operational planning.All three military members held secret security clearances typical for their rank..The case highlights how their military backgrounds provided critical advantages to the extremist cell, including tactical knowledge of small-unit tactics, explosives, and survival skills.The arrests come amid broader concerns about “extremism” within the Canadian Armed Forces. In July 2025, military police reopened an investigation into a Facebook group called the Blue Hackle Mafia, which allegedly contained “racist, misogynistic, homophobic, and antisemitic comments.”The Quebec case follows previous incidents involving military members and extremist groups. Patrik Mathews, a former Canadian Forces reservist, was involved in a neo-Nazi plot in 2020.The CAF launched Operation Fence Post in 2023, an ongoing intelligence monitoring program that tracks military members personal social media accounts for classified information leaks and security threats. .However, this case suggests gaps remain in detecting ideological extremism through social media channels.The CAF depends heavily on members self-reporting extremist affiliations, and open-source intelligence vetting remains limited despite the prevalence of social media. Administrative procedures for releasing CAF members on “extremist grounds” can exceed 18 months.Current CAF social media policies face limitations, including reactive rather than proactive responses to extremism and legal constraints on monitoring personal social media accounts. The military typically responds to extremism after public exposure.The sophisticated nature of the Quebec extremist cell highlights both the tactical advantages military training provided to the conspirators and the challenges facing security agencies.
