The investigation, led by the RCMP's national security team, began in March 2023 and uncovered activities dating back to 2021, during the COVID pandemic.

Concerns over extremism within the Canadian military have increased, with a 2022 report highlighting a rise in army members involved in extremist groups, prompting scrutiny of the armed forces.

The case raises alarm about online recruitment and the threat posed by individuals trained in military tactics, with authorities sharing social media profiles of suspects to illustrate recruitment efforts.

The weapons cache is described as the largest ever found in Canada and among the top disrupted plots globally, emphasizing the serious threat posed by these extremists.

Images of seized weapons, including handguns, assault rifles, vests, and ammunition, have been publicly released, highlighting the scale of the arsenal.

The ideological motivation appears primarily anti-government and anti-authority, often intertwined with racism, misogyny, and nihilism, with recruitment efforts targeting firearm enthusiasts online.

Two of the accused are active military members, and the Department of National Defence has confirmed the military's concern over extremism within its ranks, emphasizing ongoing investigations.

The four suspects appeared in Quebec City court, with charges yet to be tested in court, and authorities indicate that further inquiries and arrests may follow as the investigation continues.

In a significant law enforcement operation near Quebec City, authorities uncovered a large cache of weapons, including 16 explosive devices, 83 firearms, and military equipment, during a 2024 search.

Four men, including two active military members, were arrested and charged with facilitating terrorist activity, with the suspects having planned to create an anti-government militia and engaging in military-style training.

The suspects conducted training exercises such as shooting, ambush, survival, and navigation, aiming to build an armed anti-government group motivated by ideological extremism.

The case is characterized by 'ideologically motivated violent extremism,' primarily driven by anti-government and anti-authority beliefs, often linked with racism, misogyny, and nihilism.