Canada Bans Hikvision Operations Nationwide Citing National Security Threat

The Government of Canada has officially ordered the cessation of operations of Hikvision Canada Inc. within its territory, citing concerns over national security. The announcement followed the conclusion of a multi-phase review conducted under the Investment Canada Act, the findings of which indicated that the continued presence of the company’s Canadian subsidiary posed a potential threat to the nation’s interests.

The order to terminate operations was issued to the company on June 27 and publicly disclosed by Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science, and Industry, Melanie Joly. Authorities underscored that the decision was based on intelligence and security assessments, the specifics of which remain classified.

In addition to shuttering the subsidiary, a comprehensive ban has been imposed on the procurement and use of Hikvision products by all Canadian government institutions and state-owned corporations.

Hikvision Canada Inc. is the regional branch of the Chinese tech giant Hangzhou Hikvision Digital Technology Co., Ltd., the world’s leading manufacturer of video surveillance equipment. Established in 2014, the Canadian division offered a broad array of security and AI-driven Internet-of-Things (IoT) solutions tailored to the local market. Its portfolio included IP cameras, facial recognition systems, intrusion sensors, smart home technologies, industrial automation tools, and building management systems.

In recent years, however, the company has come under increasing scrutiny worldwide due to its close ties with the Chinese government and fears that its devices could be repurposed for intelligence gathering or espionage. Although no conclusive evidence of such activities has been publicly disclosed, similar bans on Hikvision’s products have already been enacted by the United States and several other nations.

In response to Canada’s decision, Hikvision issued an official statement condemning the ban as politically driven and lacking in factual foundation. The company argued that the ruling was not based on a fair assessment of the cybersecurity posture of its technologies, but rather influenced by geopolitical considerations and a biased stance toward Chinese enterprises.

Hikvision further noted that it had fully cooperated throughout the review process, providing Canadian authorities with all requested information in a timely and comprehensive manner. Nonetheless, it claimed that no substantiated justification for the ban had been presented.

It is important to note that the restrictions enacted by Canada apply solely to the operations and products of the subsidiary within national borders, as well as to Hikvision equipment used by governmental entities. Products manufactured outside Canada by affiliated Hikvision companies are not directly subject to these measures. However, Canadian authorities strongly advise citizens to take the findings of the investigation into account when selecting surveillance equipment.