One of four Quebec terror suspects granted bail while others remain in custody

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.”

Also, at a court appearance Monday morning in Quebec City, one of the four men was granted bail. Matthew Forbes, 33, was ordered to comply with a lengthy list of conditions including wearing a GPS tracking bracelet.

The other three — Simon Angers-Audet, 24, Raphael Lagacé, 25, and Marc-Aurele Chabot, 24 — will remain detained until their bail hearings, set for July 24-25.

In its statement, the DND confirmed that two of the four suspects, Chabot and  Forbes, are currently serving in the Canadian army at CFB Valcartier, just outside Quebec City.

“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.

Regarding the other two men, 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 and The Canadian Press

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