TikTok Canada is in a position to reinstate some of its creator programs as a judge set aside an order this week forcing the short-form video platform to wind-up its Canadian operations over national security concerns.
Innovation, Science & Industry Min. François-Philippe Champagne ordered the wind up in November 2024, following a national security review under the Investment Canada Act. At the time, Champagne said the federal government was taking action to address “specific national security risks” related to Beijing-headquartered ByteDance Ltd.’s operations in Canada, acting on the advice of the security and intelligence community and other government partners.
The order forced TikTok Canada to press pause on a number of its Canadian programs, including its TikTok Accelerator for Indigenous Creators, presented in partnership with the National Screen Institute (NSI) – a free, online, six-week program for First Nations, Inuit and Metis creators; in addition to activations like the TikTok JUNO Fan Choice Award.
“We welcome the decision to set aside the order to shut down TikTok Canada, and look forward to working with the Minister towards a resolution that’s in the best interest of the more than 14 million Canadians using TikTok,” a TikTok Canada spokesperson told Broadcast Dialogue. “Keeping TikTok’s Canadian team in place will enable a path forward that continues to support millions of dollars of investment in Canada and hundreds of local jobs.”
In his decision, Justice Russel Zinn referred the matter back to Industry Min. Mélanie Joly for review.
TikTok Canada said it’s committed to continuing to engage with the government through that process, to reach a resolution that’s in the best interest of Canadians.
“Keeping the local TikTok Canada team in place will enable us to continue to have representatives within Canada’s jurisdiction, including employees who are directly accountable to parliament, regulators and law enforcement,” the organization said.
According to TikTok Canada, its local operations put $1.4 billion into the Canadian economy from 2019-24.
“Keeping the local team in place will also enable continued economic and job benefits of our local operations intact,” the spokesperson said.
