The large illegal arms cache discovered in Pont-Rouge and Neuville, near Quebec City in Quebec, Canada, involved four men with ties to the Canadian military and cadets. While no specific “group name” was publicly identified for their organization, the RCMP stated they were planning to create an anti-government militia and were motivated by an “extremist and anti-authority ideology.” The RCMP searches that led to the discovery of the illegal arms cache and the arrests of the four men took place in January 2024. The investigation itself began in March 2023, and the alleged crimes are said to have occurred between June 2021 and January 2024. The arrests of the four suspects, including two active Canadian Armed Forces members, were made in July 2025.
The individuals charged are:
• Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, of Quebec City (active Canadian Armed Forces member)
• Raphaël Lagacé, 25, of Quebec City (had military ties)
• Simon Angers-Audet, 24, of Neuville, Que. (had military ties, former civilian instructor with Royal Canadian Air Cadets)
• Corporal Matthew Forbes, 33, of Pont-Rouge, Que. (active Canadian Armed Forces member)
Three of the men (Chabot, Lagacé, and Angers-Audet) have been charged with facilitating a terrorist activity, along with various weapon-possession charges. Forbes faces charges related to illegal ownership and transfer of firearms and military equipment, as well as charges under the Explosives Act and Defence Production Act.
The cache seized included 83 firearms, over 11,000 rounds of ammunition, and 16 explosive devices, among other military equipment. Some of the seized equipment was allegedly stolen from military bases.
This incident is viewed as a significant indicator of a growing number of ordinary people, particularly youth, losing faith in government and existing systems, leading them to attempt to create a new order. Experts have noted it’s likely the first time active Canadian military members have been charged with terrorism-related offenses and highlighted concerns about right-wing extremism attracting individuals with military experience. The Canadian Armed Forces and military police are cooperating with the RCMP in the investigation.
