The Canadian government has ordered Chinese surveillance camera manufacturer Hikvision to shut down its operations in Canada, citing national security risks. Industry Minister Mélanie Joly announced the decision after a security review, marking another step in Ottawa’s effort to curb foreign influence in sensitive technologies.

Hikvision, previously sanctioned by the U.S. for its alleged role in human rights abuses against Uyghur Muslims in China’s Xinjiang region, denies wrongdoing and claims the decision is politically motivated. The company argues that the ban lacks transparency and is rooted in geopolitical bias rather than evidence of cybersecurity threats.

Canada’s move aligns with growing global scrutiny of Chinese tech firms amid concerns about surveillance, data privacy, and national sovereignty. The ban also extends to Canadian government departments, which must stop purchasing Hikvision products and review existing equipment.

This action reflects a broader trend in Canada’s job and investment landscape: increasing caution toward foreign tech involvement, especially from China, amid geopolitical tension. While the decision directly affects Hikvision's operations, it sends a clear message to other foreign tech firms and investors about Canada's stance on security and human rights.

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Thomson Reuters’ original article, “Canada orders China's Hikvision to close Canadian operations over security concerns” was published in CBC on June 28, 2025. Read the Full CBC News story.