The Canadian government has ordered Hikvision, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of surveillance cameras, to halt all operations in Canada and shut down its local business.
The decision, announced late Friday by Industry Minister Mélanie Joly, follows a comprehensive national security review under the Investment Canada Act and marks one of the most significant actions to date against a Chinese technology vendor in the country.
“The government has determined that Hikvision Canada Inc.’s continued operations in Canada would be injurious to Canada’s national security,” Joly stated in an official post on X, formerly Twitter.
She emphasized that the determination was the result of a multi-step review involving Canada’s security and intelligence agencies.
The order requires Hikvision Canada to cease all business activities and close its Canadian operations entirely.
In addition, the government has imposed an immediate ban on the purchase or use of Hikvision products within all federal departments, agencies, and Crown corporations.
Authorities are also conducting a review of government properties to ensure that any legacy Hikvision equipment is identified and removed.
While the ban applies strictly to Hikvision’s Canadian subsidiary, Joly encouraged all Canadians to “take note of this decision and make their own decisions accordingly,” signaling broader concerns about the company’s technology in private and public sectors alike.
Background and International Context
Hikvision, officially known as Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd., has operated in Canada since 2014.
The company has faced mounting international pressure in recent years, with the United States, United Kingdom, and Australia imposing sanctions or restrictions due to allegations that its technology has been used for mass surveillance and human rights violations in China’s Xinjiang region—claims that both Hikvision and the Chinese government deny.
Canadian officials did not disclose specific threats that prompted the ban, but the Investment Canada Act empowers the government to block foreign investments deemed a risk to national security.
The move reflects a broader trend among Western nations to scrutinize and limit the influence of Chinese technology firms in sensitive sectors.
Hikvision has strongly objected to the Canadian government’s decision, arguing that it lacks a factual basis and is influenced by geopolitical tensions rather than an objective assessment of the company’s technology.
“We believe it lacks a factual basis, procedural fairness, and transparency,” a company spokesperson said, urging Canada to base its decisions on facts and to maintain a fair business environment.
As of publication, China’s Foreign Ministry has not issued an official response.
Minister Joly reiterated that while Canada welcomes foreign investment, it will not compromise on national security.
The government’s actions signal a clear message: safeguarding the country’s security interests takes precedence over economic or diplomatic considerations.
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