Calgary man stockpiled homemade bombs to prep for 'breakdown in society,' judge hears

A Calgary man was preparing for a "breakdown in society" when he stockpiled homemade bombs, a judge heard Thursday.

Wayne McGuire, 54, pleaded guilty to a number of charges, including possession of explosives, possession of body armour and assault with a weapon. 

Details of the crimes come from an agreed statement of facts that was read aloud by prosecutor James Thomas as part of the plea.

Court heard that on Feb. 15, 2022, a City of Calgary bus driver was travelling southbound on Deerfoot Trail near Country Hills Boulevard when he spotted a minivan parked on the shoulder of the road with no lights on.

McGuire, who had been standing in the roadway, then stepped into the lane in front of the bus with a gun in his hands.

The bus driver told police that McGuire then pointed the weapon at the bus, which prompted the driver to call 911. 

Guns, IEDs, body armour seized

Police arrived shortly after, around 4 a.m., and arrested McGuire and his girlfriend.

In searching the minivan, police seized two guns, several improvised explosive weapons, ammunition, brass knuckles and homemade body armour. 

McGuire and his girlfriend were interviewed by police.

His girlfriend told them that McGuire had been preparing for societal collapse.  

'Concerned over political issues'

"McGuire has been very concerned over political issues and believes that they need to be prepared should a breakdown in society occurs," reads the agreed statement of facts. 

This led to McGuire researching explosives and obtaining weapons.

At the time of his arrest, McGuire was subject to a 10-year, court-ordered ban on having any weapons in his possession. 

• Homemade bombs and guns found after van stopped on Deerfoot Trail

Officers also conducted a search warrant on the home where McGuire and his girlfriend had been living. 

Inside, they found two CO2 powered guns, a tactical vest that contained smoke bombs, multiple IDs and bank cards, ammunition and ball bearings, which were also found in the improvised explosive devices from the minivan. 

Justice Margaret Keelaghan will hear sentencing arguments at a later date from the prosecutor and defence lawyer Andrea Urquhart.