Security experts insist a Quebec militia group is under surveillance by several police forces after new images have emerged of members carrying powerful weapons, but the separatist group claims they are being unfairly targeted.
Members of the Milice Patriotique du Quebec admit they use fireams and hold training camps regularly. The group claims to have at least 800 citizens ready to defend Quebec.
“We are proud we are proud to be french we are proud to come from Quebec,”
Serge provost is known as major serge provost to members of the militia. He insists they are not a group of terrorists. “That’s not what we want to project and that’s not why we are here.”
But security experts are on high alert, especially after photos and videos surfaced of militia members showing off powerful weapons.
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“We have an organization who openly said they’re ready to take their arms and their weapons if they need to defend something they perceive in jeopardy or they perceive that they need to defend and that’s problematic,” says Michel Juneau-Kutsaya, a security expert with the Northgate Group.
Provost says he controls the sale of weapons. And he insists that most guns are locked up at the militia’s headquarters – in the basement of this store.
The MPQ surplus as it’s called sells everything from gas masks to combat gear, to knives.
“Until they cross a certain line,” says Juneau-Kutsaya, “the only thing the authorities can do is watch them.”
Neither the Montreal police nor the Surete du Quebec would confirm whether the MPQ is under surveillance, but the man behind the militia says he’s the one who needs protection from the dozens of death threats he’s received since opening shop on Ste. Catherine.
Provost has already filed complaints with police in past, but finds they don’t take him seriously.
Despite the fact his store has been a target for vandals more than once. There are some supporters in the neighbourhood.
“I cannot be against that it’s absolutely positive,” says resident Yves de Montgaillard, “I mean they helped when they flooding happened in the Monteregie region which is something that not a lot of groups in the population can say.”
Still anti-terrorism experts warn that any group willing to resort to weapons should be watched carefully.
“This is where we’ve got to be concerned and preoccupied is that one hothead among the group might decide to provoke things,” says Juneau-Kutsaya.
Something provost insist he will never let happen.
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