Canada orders Chinese tech firm Hikvision to shut down

The Canadian government has ordered Chinese surveillance giant Hikvision to cease all operations and shutter its business in the country, citing national security concerns after a multi-agency intelligence review.

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced the decision on Friday, stating that Hikvision Canada Inc.'s continued presence posed a threat to national security. The decision followed a rigorous, multi-step review under the Investment Canada Act, which allows the government to evaluate foreign investments that may affect Canada’s security interests.

“The government has determined that Hikvision Canada Inc.'s continued operations in Canada would be injurious to Canada's national security,” Joly said in a statement published on X (formerly Twitter) and reiterated in a press release. “This determination is the result of a multi-step review that assessed information and evidence provided by Canada’s security and intelligence community.”(Sources: Economic Times, CNA)

The Investment Canada Act provides a mechanism to scrutinize foreign investments, particularly those involving sensitive technologies, infrastructure, or countries with known adversarial postures toward Canada. The review concluded that Hikvision's operations risked enabling foreign surveillance, espionage, or interference—especially troubling for a company with alleged ties to the Chinese Communist Party and military-industrial complex.

Joly clarified that the shutdown order is limited to Hikvision's Canadian business and “does not extend to Hikvision's affiliate operations outside of Canada.” Still, the implications are far-reaching.

In addition to the operational ban, the Canadian government has prohibited all federal departments, agencies, and crown corporations from purchasing or using Hikvision products. A comprehensive review is also underway to remove any legacy Hikvision equipment currently in use within federal properties.

“The Government of Canada is further conducting a review of existing properties to ensure that legacy Hikvision products are not used going forward,” said Joly. “The Government of Canada welcomes foreign investment — but will never compromise on Canada’s national security.”

The minister also encouraged private citizens, businesses, and institutions to heed the government’s assessment and take appropriate precautions when considering the use of surveillance technologies, particularly those sourced from firms with questionable affiliations.