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Canadian police have arrested and charged a man and woman with terrorism for attempting to leave pressure-cooker bombs at British Columbia's provincial legislature on Canada Day, where thousands of people were attending celebrations.
Muslim convert John Stewart Nuttall and his partner Amanda Marie Korody were inspired by al-Qaeda ideology, but were self-radicalised, Royal Canadian Mounted Police Assistant Commissioner James Malizia told a news conference. He called it a domestic threat without international connections.

Malizia said there was no evidence or indication to suggest a connection to the deadly Boston Marathon bombings in April, which used similar bombs.
Wayne Rideout, also an assistant police commissioner, said the public was never at risk, and the threat was detected early.
Nuttall and Korody were arrested on Monday. Police said the pair targeted the Canada Day celebrations in the provincial capital of Victoria, but the bombs were found outside the legislature before the crowds gathered.
"This self-radicalised behaviour was intended to create maximum impact and harm to Canadian citizens at the legislature on a national holiday," Rideout said. "They took steps to educate themselves and produce explosive devices designed to cause injury and death."
The pair has been charged with conspiracy, facilitating a terrorist activity and making an explosive device.
"A day after thousands of patriotic Canadians gathered on these grounds to celebrate the founding of our nation, I'm incredibly relieved to know that there was never any risk to anyone," British Columbia Premier Christy Clark said on Tuesday.
"We're also told that the suspects have no ties to any groups inside or outside Canada. Again, an incredible relief that these two individuals appeared to be working alone."
Rideout stressed the pressure cooker devices were under police control and were inert.
Nuttall and Korody made a brief court appearance on Tuesday and return July 9 for a bail hearing.
Tom Morino, Nuttall's lawyer, said the two were a couple. "They refer to each other as husband and wife," Morino said. "It may be a common-law relationship."
Morino said Nuttall was a convert to Islam, but he added that Islam and al-Qaeda "don't go hand in hand". Morino has represented Nuttall on past charges, but would not discuss them. A man with the same name has convictions for mischief and assault, according to court records.
Police said a tip came from the Canadian Security Intelligence Service that led to what Rideout called a five-month investigation. He said the pair discussed a wide variety of targets and techniques.
Canadian Public Safety Minister Vic Toews credited the sharing of information among security and law enforcement agencies for the arrest.
Canada's security intelligence service has long warned of home-grown and external terrorism threats.
In April, two men were arrested in Canada in connection with a plot to derail a passenger train running between New York City and Montreal.
US officials have long worried about another Ahmed Ressam, the "millennium bomber" who was caught in 1999 trying to bring an explosives-filled car into the United States on a ferry from British Columbia.
Ressam, an Algerian citizen, had planned to bomb the Los Angeles airport during the 2000 New Year celebrations.


Canada Day pressure-cooker bomb plot thwarted in British Columbia

Assistant commissioner Wayne Rideout fields questions on thwarting an attack targeting the legislature in British Columbia. Photo: AP

One of the pressure cooker devices that police seized. Photo: AP

The British Columbia legislature in Victoria, scene of the thwarted attack. Photo: AP

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Pair left Boston-style pressure cooker bombs outside legislature building in British Columbia, where thousands had gathered for celebrations


Canadian police have arrested and charged a man and woman with terrorism for attempting to leave pressure-cooker bombs at British Columbia's provincial legislature on Canada Day, where thousands of people were attending celebrations.


Canada Day pressure-cooker bomb plot thwarted in British Columbia

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}Pair left Boston-style pressure cooker bombs outside legislature building in British Columbia, where thousands had gathered for celebrations

Pair left Boston-style pressure cooker bombs outside legislature building in British Columbia, where thousands had gathered for celebrations