Three men facing allegations of supporting terrorism in Quebec will proceed to trial following the federal Crown prosecutor’s office filing a direct indictment on November 7, which also introduced new charges. This decision circumvents a preliminary inquiry requested by the men’s defense attorneys in September. Authorized by the attorney general of Canada or deputy attorney general, the indictment means the case will advance to Superior Court, with a potential trial anticipated in 2026.
In July, the RCMP laid charges against four individuals, including two active members of the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), as part of an alleged anti-government scheme to seize land in the Quebec City area, described by authorities as “ideologically motivated violent extremism.” Alongside weapons offenses, Marc-Aurèle Chabot, 24, Simon Angers-Audet, 24, and Raphaël Lagacé, 25, are accused of the serious crime of aiding a terrorist activity. They were denied bail in August.
Chabot, depicted as the group’s de facto leader in court documents, now faces additional charges for instructing individuals to participate in activities for a terrorist organization, an offense punishable by life imprisonment. The federal prosecutor’s office asserts that between June 2021 and January 2024, Chabot allegedly directed Angers-Audet, Lagacé, or others linked to an alleged anti-government faction of current and former military members called Hide & Stalk to engage in activities benefiting a terrorist group. The trio also faces a new charge of using or possessing property for terrorist purposes.
In September, three of the accused opted for a jury trial and requested a preliminary inquiry set for January, where a judge would assess the evidence for trial suitability. However, a direct indictment, as explained by criminal law professor Noah Weisbord from McGill University, is a strategic move by the Crown, often employed in terrorism or organized crime cases to expedite proceedings and manage sensitive evidence and witnesses efficiently.
Matthew Forbes, 33, from Pont-Rouge, Que., the fourth individual involved, faces charges related to firearms possession, prohibited devices, explosives, and controlled items. He also confronts allegations under the Explosives Act and Defence Production Act, governing military supplies access. Forbes was granted bail under strict conditions. Chabot and Forbes were both active military members stationed at Canadian Forces Base Valcartier near Quebec City when the arrests occurred on July 8.