Canada has banned the social wing of Hizbullah, freezing all its assets and forbidding funding of the group. "The Government of Canada has determined that these entities [Hizbullah and others] knowingly engaged in terrorist activity," CTV.CA reported Solicitor-General Wayne Easter as stating. The military wing of Hizbullah, the Lebanese-based terrorist organization, had been banned in Canada for more than a year, but the group's "charitable" wing remained legal. Canadians found to belong to Hizbullah, or to be raising money for it, could face up to ten years in prison.
The Canadian Alliance, which has long called for the outlawing of Hizbullah in Canada, was sharply critical of the government for taking so long to outlaw the terrorist organization. Only last month Ottawa added six groups, including Hamas, to a list of banned groups - but did not include Hizbullah. "The year-long Liberal delay was reckless and may have allowed the group to raise significant funds and recruit followers," read a Canadian Alliance statement.
The Canadian Alliance, which has long called for the outlawing of Hizbullah in Canada, was sharply critical of the government for taking so long to outlaw the terrorist organization. Only last month Ottawa added six groups, including Hamas, to a list of banned groups - but did not include Hizbullah. "The year-long Liberal delay was reckless and may have allowed the group to raise significant funds and recruit followers," read a Canadian Alliance statement.