Ottawa [Canada], June 28 (ANI): The Canadian government has ordered Chinese video surveillance equipment maker Hikvision to cease all operations in the country and shut down its Canadian business due to national security concerns, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry Melanie Joly announced on Friday (local time).
In a statement, Joly said, “Following a National Security Review under the Investment Canada Act, the Government of Canada has ordered Hikvision Canada Inc. to cease all operations in Canada and close its Canadian business.”
She emphasized that the government determined Hikvision’s continued presence in Canada would be detrimental to the country’s national security. “This determination is the result of a multi-step review that assessed information and evidence provided by Canada’s security and intelligence community,” she added.
Joly clarified that the scope of the national security review does not extend to Hikvision’s affiliated operations outside of Canada.
The government has also banned the procurement or use of Hikvision products across federal departments, agencies, and crown corporations.
“The Government of Canada is further conducting a review of existing properties to ensure that legacy Hikvision products are not used going forward,” she noted.
Encouraging citizens to take the announcement into account in their own decision-making, Joly reiterated Canada’s openness to foreign investment—provided it does not compromise national security.
“The Government of Canada welcomes foreign investment—but will never compromise on Canada’s national security,” she concluded. (ANI)
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