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Vancouver Sun
14-07-2025
- Vancouver Sun
Quebec terror suspects did not get weapons from Canadian Forces: DND
The Department of National Defence said Monday that the four military-linked individuals accused in an alleged terror plot did not get their weapons from the Canadian military. In a statement emailed to National post, the DND said: ' Of note, the weapons, ammunition, and explosives that were seized as part of the RCMP-led investigation that resulted in the arrests on July 8, 2025, did not originate from the Canadian Armed Forces.' It also confirmed that two of the four suspects, Marc-Aurèle Chabot and Matthew Forbes, are currently serving in the Canadian army at CFB Valcartier, just outside Quebec City. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. 'Corporal Chabot enrolled in the Canadian Army as a Reservist in June 2019,' the statement said. 'He transferred to the Regular Force from the Voltigeurs de Québec to the 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment in July 2023. He was not deployed.' It added: 'Bombardier Forbes enrolled in the Canadian Army in October 2016 and joined the 5e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada in November 2017. He was deployed to Operation CADENCE in 2018 and Operation REASSURANCE 2019.' Operation Cadence was the military's contribution to the RCMP's security operation for the G7 Summit in Quebec's Charlevoix region. Operation Reassurance involves Canada's participation in NATO land, maritime and air activities in Central and Eastern Europe, with deployments in Latvia, Romania and the Mediterranean. The other named individuals are Simon Angers-Audet and Raphaël Lagacé. The DND said Angers-Audet enrolled as a reservist with the Voltigeurs de Québec in June 2019 and was released in May 2022 as a Private. Lagacé has not served in the CAF, but was a civilian instructor with the 630 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in Beauport, Québec, between January 2021 and September 2024, the DND said. Of the two active CAF members, the DND said: ' We can confirm that these individuals have not been performing military duties and do not have unescorted access to the military base.' It added: '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. The CAF continues to take this matter very seriously, and all options will be pursued and acted upon as appropriate.' The RCMP announced the arrest of the four men last week. They were scheduled to appear at a bail hearing in Quebec City on Monday. Three of the men are accused of taking actions to 'facilitate terrorist activity' and planning to form an 'anti-government militia.' Forbes also faces multiple charges, including possession of firearms, prohibited devices and explosives, and possession of controlled items. The alleged target was not specified, but it was not a government facility or a political landmark, the RCMP told National Post. It was described as land that could be used to build their group or used as a base to start a 'new society.' '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 in these activities,' the RCMP said in a news release last week. The group was active as far back as 2021. The RCMP investigation began in March 2023, a spokesperson said. In January 2024, 16 explosive devices, 83 firearms and accessories, about 11,000 rounds of ammunition, nearly 130 magazines, four pairs of night vision goggles and other military equipment were seized, the RCMP said. Among the weapons seized were military-style assault rifles. The DND said no further details on the investigation could be released at this time, and that any other questions should be referred to the RCMP. — With files from The Montreal Gazette Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Edmonton Journal
14-07-2025
- Edmonton Journal
Quebec terror suspects did not get weapons from Canadian Forces: DND
The Department of National Defence said Monday that the four military-linked individuals accused in an alleged terror plot did not get their weapons from the Canadian military. Article content In a statement emailed to National post, the DND said: 'Of note, the weapons, ammunition, and explosives that were seized as part of the RCMP-led investigation that resulted in the arrests on July 8, 2025, did not originate from the Canadian Armed Forces.' Article content Article content Article content 'Corporal Chabot enrolled in the Canadian Army as a Reservist in June 2019,' the statement said. 'He transferred to the Regular Force from the Voltigeurs de Québec to the 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment in July 2023. He was not deployed.' Article content It added: 'Bombardier Forbes enrolled in the Canadian Army in October 2016 and joined the 5e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada in November 2017. He was deployed to Operation CADENCE in 2018 and Operation REASSURANCE 2019.' Article content Article content Operation Cadence was the military's contribution to the RCMP's security operation for the G7 Summit in Quebec's Charlevoix region. Operation Reassurance involves Canada's participation in NATO land, maritime and air activities in Central and Eastern Europe, with deployments in Latvia, Romania and the Mediterranean. Article content Article content The other named individuals are Simon Angers-Audet and Raphaël Lagacé. The DND said Angers-Audet enrolled as a reservist with the Voltigeurs de Québec in June 2019 and was released in May 2022 as a Private. Lagacé has not served in the CAF, but was a civilian instructor with the 630 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in Beauport, Québec, between January 2021 and September 2024, the DND said. Article content Of the two active CAF members, the DND said: 'We can confirm that these individuals have not been performing military duties and do not have unescorted access to the military base.' Article content It added: '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. The CAF continues to take this matter very seriously, and all options will be pursued and acted upon as appropriate.'
Montreal Gazette
14-07-2025
- Montreal Gazette
Quebec terror suspects didn't get weapons stockpile from military: Canadian Forces
By Canada's military says the four military-linked men accused in an alleged terror plot did not get their weapons, ammunition and explosives from the Canadian Forces. In a statement Monday morning, the Department of National Defence said the stockpile 'did not originate from the Canadian Armed Forces.' The RCMP announced the arrest of the four men last week. They were scheduled to appear at a bail hearing in Quebec City on Monday. Three of the men are accused of taking actions to 'facilitate terrorist activity' and planning to form an 'anti-government militia.' The fourth man also faces multiple charges, including weapons-related offences. A large cache of weapons, explosives and other military gear was seized. The military on Monday provided more details about the four men. Two of them — Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, and Matthew Forbes, 33 — are serving members of the Forces. They are based at CFB Valcartier, near Quebec City. The Forces said Corporal Chabot enrolled in the Canadian Army as a reservist in June 2019, transferring to the regular force from the Voltigeurs de Québec to the 2e Bataillon, Royal 22e Régiment in July 2023. He was not deployed. Forbes, who is a bombardier, enrolled in the Canadian Army in October 2016 and joined the 5e Régiment d'artillerie légère du Canada in November 2017. He was deployed to Operation CADENCE in 2018 and Operation REASSURANCE 2019. 'We can confirm that these individuals have not been performing military duties and do not have unescorted access to the military base,' the Forces said. '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. The CAF continues to take this matter very seriously, and all options will be pursued and acted upon as appropriate.' The two other men arrested were Simon Angers-Audet, 24, and Raphaël Lagacé, 25. Angers-Audet, 24, enrolled in the Canadian Army as a reservist with the Voltigeurs de Québec in June 2019 and was released in May 2022 as a Private, the Defence Department said. He was not deployed. Lagacé has not served as a member of the Canadian Armed Forces, but he was a civilian instructor with the 630 Royal Canadian Air Cadet Squadron in Beauport, Québec, between January 2021 and September 2024. Investigators allege that Chabot, Angers-Audet and Lagacé facilitated terrorist activity and were planning to create a militia. Forbes faces charges including possession of firearms, prohibited devices and explosives, and possession of controlled items. In the statement, the Defence Department said the military police and the Canadian Army 'continue to support the ongoing investigation led by the RCMP.'
