Hikvision to appeal Canadian court ruling upholding shutdown order
Chinese surveillance camera maker Hikvision said Tuesday it will challenge a Canadian Federal Court decision that upheld Ottawa’s order for the company to cease operations in Canada on national security grounds.
The court dismissed Hikvision’s bid to overturn the June shutdown order, siding with the Canadian government’s argument that the firm’s activities could pose security risks.
A Hikvision spokesperson rejected the claim, saying: “We remain steadfast in our position that our products and technology do not pose a national security threat, and there is no evidence that indicates they have ever presented such a risk to Canada.” The company has notified Ottawa of its intent to pursue arbitration under a 2014 bilateral investment treaty.
Hikvision’s Canadian unit employs 66 staff and sells products through local distributors. While the shutdown order blocks direct operations, it does not explicitly ban the sale of Hikvision products in Canada.
The dispute unfolds against the backdrop of worsening Canada–China relations. Ottawa recently imposed a 100% tariff on Chinese EVs and a 25% tariff on Chinese steel and aluminum, while Beijing retaliated with 75.8% duties on Canadian canola seed imports pending an anti-dumping probe.
The Hikvision case could become another flashpoint in an already fraught trade and diplomatic relationship.