Canada has ordered Chinese video surveillance company Hikvision to cease all operations in the country, citing national security concerns. The decision was announced by Industry Minister Mélanie Joly on June 28, 2025, following a multi-step national security review under the Investment Canada Act. This review, conducted with input from Canada’s security and intelligence agencies, concluded that Hikvision’s continued presence in Canada would be “injurious to Canada’s national security”.
As a result, Hikvision’s Canadian subsidiary, Hikvision Canada Inc., is required to shut down its business operations in Canada. The federal government has also banned all federal departments, agencies, and Crown corporations from purchasing or using Hikvision products. Additionally, the government is conducting a review to identify and remove any legacy Hikvision equipment currently in use within federal institutions.
The ban does not extend to Hikvision’s operations outside of Canada, nor does it prohibit private individuals or businesses from buying Hikvision products through third-party affiliates. However, Minister Joly strongly encouraged all Canadians to consider the government’s decision when making their own choices regarding surveillance technology.
Hikvision has rejected the decision, calling it unfounded and arguing that it lacks factual basis, procedural fairness, and transparency. The company contends that the ruling is motivated by the country of origin of its parent company rather than a genuine assessment of its technology’s cybersecurity merits, reflecting broader geopolitical tensions.
This move aligns Canada with other countries—including the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, India, and parts of Europe—that have previously restricted or banned Hikvision products over concerns related to national security, human rights abuses, and the company’s alleged involvement in surveillance operations in Xinjiang.
