OTTAWA– Police in Quebec City have arrested four men, including two active Canadian Forces members, after uncovering an alleged plan to organise an anti-government militia and seize land. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) made the arrests on Tuesday, sparking debate about Canada’s political climate, immigration policies, and rising nationalistic views.
The suspects, Marc-Aurèle Chabot (24), Raphaël Lagacé (25), both from Quebec City, Simon Angers-Audet (24) of Neuville, and Matthew Forbes (33) of Pont-Rouge, were taken into custody after a two-year investigation by the RCMP’s Integrated National Security Enforcement Team. Chabot, Lagacé, and Angers-Audet face charges tied to facilitating terrorist activity.
Forbes is charged with possessing firearms, restricted devices, and explosives. Police say the group held military-style training, covering shooting, ambush tactics, survival, and navigation. Officers seized 16 explosives, 83 guns, and about 11,000 rounds of ammunition in January 2024.
RCMP Corporal Erique Gasse called the case a clear example of “ideologically motivated violent extremism.” Investigators say the suspects used a private Instagram account to recruit others with firearms backgrounds. While the exact ideology behind the group has not been made public, the RCMP’s claim that they intended to “take land by force” to create a new community has led to heavy speculation about their goals.
Political Divisions in Focus
These arrests highlight Canada’s growing political divides. Tension between cities and rural areas, inflation, and cultural changes have fuelled mistrust in public institutions. Leah West, a national security expert and former Forces member, called the group’s actions a serious concern. She pointed out that the organised collection of weapons and skills could be dangerous.
Back in 2022, an advisory panel for the Canadian Armed Forces flagged a rise in extremist ties within the military, warning that anti-government and white supremacist groups were gaining ground. The involvement of serving soldiers in this alleged plot shows how difficult it is to address extremism in the ranks, a problem also seen in the United States, according to security expert Wesley Wark.
Wider polarisation has grown as Canadians debate the country’s future. Problems like stagnating wages, high housing costs, and the aftershocks from COVID-19 have left many people frustrated. An internal RCMP report from 2024, called Whole-of-Government Five-Year Trends for Canada, warned of possible unrest as living standards drop, especially among youth. The report predicted that an economic downturn would add to that pressure.
Immigration Pressures and Social Strains
Canada’s approach to immigration, with record numbers arriving over recent years, has become a flashpoint. In 2024, over 500,000 new permanent residents arrived, along with many temporary workers and international students. While immigration is key to Canada’s growth, some say the rapid pace has stretched housing, healthcare, and jobs, especially in big cities.
Experts suggest these demographic shifts may fuel anti-government feelings. Martin Geoffroy, head of the Centre of Expertise and Training on Religious Fundamentalism, Political Ideologies and Radicalisation, says more people feel let down by the government. He points out that those drawn to military or paramilitary groups often want more order in what they see as a chaotic society, sometimes mixing anti-immigrant and anti-establishment ideas.
Still, Jessica Davis, a former Canadian Security Intelligence Service analyst, warns that motives might be more complex. She says the stockpiling of such a large arsenal indicates the group was preparing for something major, whether a standoff or broader conflict. The RCMP did not confirm if anti-immigrant beliefs drove the group, but the unrest in Canadian society is impossible to ignore.
Canadian Nationalism Gains Ground
The report of the militia plot puts a spotlight on the growth of Canadian nationalism. Unlike traditional multicultural values, this newer wave often promotes tighter cultural unity and doubts about global ties. Frustration over government decisions and immigration is more vocal on social media platforms like X. Following the arrests, a post from @goi1_p declared, “Hello: there ARE Canadians with spines!” capturing a tone of defiance among some users.
David Hofmann, who researches far-right groups at the University of New Brunswick, points out that militia groups often hope to trigger wider unrest. While the RCMP has not directly linked these suspects to groups like the Three Percenters or Proud Boys, who are banned in Canada, their tactics reflect a rise in small, loosely organised cells inspired by anti-government messages. Hofmann says online tools have made it much easier for these groups to form and find recruits, as seen with the Instagram account tied to the accused.
The arrests have sparked renewed calls for action to tackle extremism both within the military and across the country. The Department of National Defence confirmed that Chabot and Forbes are corporals at CFB Valcartier, while another suspect is a former soldier, and one is a past instructor with the Royal Canadian Air Cadets. A spokesperson said the Forces take these charges very seriously and have fully supported the investigation.
This case is a stark reminder of how fragile social unity can be when political and economic stresses rise. The RCMP’s recovery of what Davis calls the largest cache of weapons in any Canadian terrorism case shows the real potential for violence. As the suspects are set to return to court on July 14, the country waits for more details on a case that has revealed deep divisions within Canadian society.
Sources: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
Related News:
Canadians Struggling with High Taxes and Low Wages
