Canadian government orders Chinese security camera maker Hikvision to suspend operations in the country over national security concerns

Canadian Industry Minister Melanie Joly has ordered the Hangzhou-based Chinese company Hikvision Digital Technology, which deals in security equipment including surveillance cameras, to suspend operations in Canada due to 'national security concerns.'

My statement on Hikvision Canada Inc. following a national security review under the Investment Canada Act:

pic.twitter.com/Gvl6aWRxyQ

— Mélanie Joly (@melaniejoly) June 28, 2025

Ottawa Orders Beijing Surveillance Giant Hikvision Out as Trump Escalates Trade Clash and Security Demands
https://www.thebureau.news/p/ottawa-orders-beijing-surveillance

Canada orders China's Hikvision to close Canadian operations | Reuters
https://www.reuters.com/markets/emerging/ottawa-orders-chinese-manufacturer-hikvision-shutter-canadian-operations-2025-06-28/

Canada Orders Hikvision to Cease Local Operations - Bloomberg
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-06-28/canada-orders-hikvision-to-cease-local-operations

According to a statement released by Minister Joly on Wednesday, the Canadian government has ordered Hikvision Canada, which is responsible for Hikvision's Canadian operations, to cease all operations and terminate its business in Canada following a national security review under the Investment Canada Act.

While the scope of the national security review under the Investment Canada Act does not cover Hikvision's operations outside of Canada, Minister Joly said, 'I urge all Canadians to take note of this decision and make their own decisions in response.'

In addition to these measures, the Canadian government has also decided to prohibit the purchase and use of Hikvision products by government departments, agencies and public corporations. The government will also review its assets to ensure that existing Hikvision products are not used.

'While the Government of Canada welcomes foreign investment, we will never compromise on our national security,' Minister Joly concluded.

Hikvision's network cameras and security cameras have been used to record abuses against Uighurs and other Muslim communities in the Xinjiang Uighur Autonomous Region, and have been subject to numerous sanctions and restrictions in the United States for five and a half years.

Amazon.co.jp: Hikvision Digital Technology DS-2CD2143G0-I IP Security Camera Exterior Dome White 2560 x 1440 Pixels: Electronics & Cameras

It is unclear whether the Canadian government's decision was made in response to the events in Xinjiang.

A Hikvision spokesman told Reuters, 'We strongly oppose this decision and are following it with deep concern. We believe the decision lacks reason, fairness and transparency. It appears that our technology is being judged not on its cybersecurity merits but on the location of our parent company, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions and an unfair bias against Chinese companies. We urge the Canadian government to act on facts, not prejudice, and to support a fair and transparent environment for all companies and investors.'

By the way, China's Foreign Ministry has not commented on the matter.