What the Hikvision Ban Means for Residential CCTV Customers, Businesses, and Public Facilities in Toronto

Summary:

• June 27, 2025 – The Government of Canada, by the Governor-in-Council, issued an Order directing Hikvision Canada to wind up and cease operations in Canada within 120 days, citing national security concerns.
• September 2025 – Hikvision challenged the Order. However, the company’s motion for a stay was dismissed by the Federal Court. Hikvision has said it will continue to pursue legal remedies. While the company disputes the decision, certain Canadian operations must pause, potentially restricting manufacturer support in Canada. 
• As a result, the Order affects Hikvision’s Canadian operations and services. It does not make installed Hikvision cameras illegal for private homeowners or most private businesses. Nonetheless, it has important implications for warranty, support, and regulatory compliance for federal departments, the public, government, and critical infrastructure sites, as they are now prohibited from using Hikvision products and must undergo site reviews.

If your business or facility in Toronto or elsewhere in Canada uses Hikvision cameras, you should immediately assess exposure (warranty, maintenance, compliance) and plan next steps. True North Security Group can help with audits, migration plans, and replacements to NDAA-compliant alternatives.

What Did The Government Actually Order?

On June 27, 2025, by Order in Council under national security provisions, the Canadian federal government directed Hikvision Canada to wind up its Canadian business and cease operations. The public text of the Order is limited, but federal ministers publicly stated the decision followed reviews by Canada’s security and intelligence agencies. The Order also bars federal departments and agencies from purchasing Hikvision products and initiates reviews of existing installations on government property.

Hikvision has publicly disputed the basis for the Order and filed for judicial review. The company’s request for a stay was denied in September, which means it must suspend specified Canadian operations while legal proceedings continue. At the same time, Hikvision has said its hardware and software remain available through other channels and that it is pursuing all available remedies.

Why Did The Canadian Government Take This Step?

Canadian officials cited national security and cyber-risk concerns after an assessment by security agencies. While detailed national-security reviews are typically confidential, the issues that drive these decisions generally include:

• Connected devices pose network and data security risks that may be exploited or could expose sensitive video/data.
• The company installed cameras in sensitive sites (government buildings, transportation hubs, utilities) where surveillance systems could present a higher risk.
• The U.S. NDAA and some FCC actions have already imposed similar restrictions in recent years that limit federal procurement or use of specific foreign-made video surveillance equipment.

Hikvision disputes these assessments and states that it has not found evidence that its products pose a national security risk. The company also says it will continue to pursue remedies through courts and other processes. The decision, however, stands for now and has immediate operational consequences in Canada.

Comprehensive Action Plan For Commercial and Residential Users

The exact practical impact of the 2025 Hikvision Canada ban depends on the type of property you own. In most cases, you will need a Hikvision replacement in Toronto, and True North Security Group can help you with that. We perform turnkey CCTV installation of NDAA-compliant products only. Here’s a table with a detailed breakdown of Hikvision Canada ban for each industry.

What To Expect For Hikvision Warranties, Firmware Updates, And Technical Support

Hikvision’s public messages note that, while the hardware and software remain usable, a national-level order would still require the company to cease its Canadian operations. Thus, it commonly affects local warranty fulfillment, regional technical support, and official distribution channels. The Order makes it harder to obtain repairs, replacement parts, or firmware updates through Canadian support teams.

For organizations that must meet procurement or compliance standards (government, crown corporations, critical infrastructure), reliance on a product without accessible, verifiable local support can create unacceptable operational and legal risk. To avoid it, one should contact True North Security Group for a quick NDAA-compliant CCTV installation in Toronto.

Are There Safe, Compliant Replacements?

Yes. You should choose the perfect replacement that fits your commercial security requirements, based on a custom technical fit and budget, security hardening, supportability in Canada, and — where relevant — NDAA or equivalent compliance. Below are the most popular options in the Canadian market:

• Axis Communications is known for a strong cybersecurity posture and an extended support lifecycle. They are widely used in the enterprise and government sectors.
• Avigilon (Motorola Solutions) has a strong Canadian presence and offers enterprise plans suitable for public-sector and critical-site environments.
• Hanwha Vision (Wisenet) is a global vendor with a broader roster of certified products.
• Provision-ISR and other mid-market brands are cost-effective solutions for commercial and residential installs.

As mentioned above, choosing a Hikvision replacement in Toronto involves more than brand selection. At True North Security Group, we can perform a thorough security audit of your business to determine the necessary level of encryption for your cameras, the secure boot/firmware update process, and vendor transparency in the supply chain. We are also well aware of on-the-ground warranty/service presence in Canada, and whether the vendor offers NDAA or other compliance attestations for the majority of the CCTV camera brands.

How True North Security Group Helps

We’re a Toronto-based installer and security solutions provider with experience in multi-brand CCTV projects, migration planning, and compliance for the public and private sectors. Our engagement typically includes:

1. As part of our risk and compliance audit, we identify where Hikvision equipment is installed, assess contract and warranty exposure, and determine whether installations are in regulated or government spaces.
2. Next, our team performs a thorough technical assessment. We document VMS/NVR compatibility, cabling, PoE switch requirements, and camera capabilities (resolution, analytics, IR, tamper detection).
3. True North Security Group will provide you with a clear, phased Hikvision migration plan. Such a replacement strategy minimizes downtime and cost by offering options to reuse infrastructure (cabling, mounts) where feasible.
4. During the procurement and installation phase, we supply and install NDAA-compliant or otherwise vetted cameras and recorders, with Canadian warranty and support.
5. Lastly, we offer continuous maintenance and service. Our team handles everything, from ongoing service agreements to spare parts planning, ensuring continuity with the manufacturer that may be lost.

If you manage buildings, public facilities, or enterprise properties in Toronto or across Canada, we’ll produce a clear, dated report you can present to auditors or procurement teams.

Conclusion

Hikvision, a CCTV camera manufacturer, is under suspension in Canada and must cease all operations. Even as they try to prove their innocence and pursue all possible legal remedies, business and home owners in Toronto and across Canada may face difficulties updating Hikvision hardware and software.

If you operate or manage CCTV systems in Toronto or anywhere in Canada, do not wait for a crisis. Start with a rapid audit to understand risk, support exposure, and compliance requirements. Contact the True North Security Group relationship management team for a no-obligation site audit and migration plan.

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