The Government of Canada announced that it had listed the Houthi group in Yemen as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code, noting that in doing so the militia met the definition of a “terrorist group.”

Dominique LeBlanc, Canadian Minister of Public Security, Democratic Institutions and Intergovernmental Affairs, said in a statement that the Houthis are an armed group that has been waging a rebellion in Yemen since the early 2000s seeking to overthrow the internationally recognized Yemeni government, and now controls vast swaths of the country. Northwest Yemen, including the capital, Sana'a.

The statement added that, since November 2023, the Houthi group has contributed to the unrest in the Middle East through numerous attacks targeting civilian and naval ships in the Red Sea and other waterways, as well as attacks against Israel.

He explained that the Houthi group is also closely linked to Iran. The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps-Qods Force and Hezbollah are two entities on Canada's terrorist list, noting that in January 2024, the US State Department announced the designation of Houthi as a Specially Designated Global Terrorist through Executive Order 13224.

He continued: “Now as a listed entity, the Houthis meet the definition of a ‘terrorist group’ under the Canadian Criminal Code. The Criminal Code prohibits certain actions related to terrorist groups, including those related to terrorist financing, travel and recruitment.

The statement added: “For example, it is a criminal offense for any person in Canada and Canadians abroad to knowingly deal with property owned or controlled by a terrorist group. It is also an offense to provide property directly or indirectly with the knowledge that it will be used or benefited by a terrorist group.” Terrorism is a criminal offence.”

Furthermore, persons seeking entry to Canada are inadmissible if they are found to be members of organizations involved in terrorism. Lists can also assist Canadian security, intelligence and law enforcement agencies in combating terrorism, and the terrorist lists mechanism plays a key role in combating terrorism. Financing terrorism, according to the statement.