CALGARY -- A former Canadian soldier has pleaded guilty to firearms charges stemming from an alleged plan to attack the Calgary office of Veterans Affairs.

The 45-year-old former military intelligence officer, whose name is protected by a publication ban, was arrested in January after his wife contacted police concerned that her husband might be suicidal.

Court documents show that when officers found him several hours later, they recovered firearms, body armour, possible bomb-making materials, schematics of the downtown skyscraper that houses Veterans Affairs and a plan to attack the office.

The man, who the documents say had been at odds with the department over health-care costs, was arrested under the Mental Health Act and taken to hospital for treatment.

He has pleaded guilty to three weapons charges, but still hasn't entered pleas to charges of possessing firearms and weapons, and of making explosives.

The man is scheduled to be back in court Nov. 27.