Canada declared a Yemen-based group affiliated with al Qaeda a terrorist organisation on Friday, a move that allows the government to prosecute Canadians linked to it. Al Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula was blamed for this year's attempt to destroy planes using bomb-laden toner cartridges as well as a foiled attempt to blow up a plane near Detroit on Christmas Day 2009.
The designation makes it illegal for Canadians to work with the group or contribute money to it, and it gives law enforcement officials the authority to seize financial assets the group may have in Canada.