OTTAWA – Shou Chew, CEO of the video-sharing platform TikTok, is urgently requesting a meeting with Canada’s Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, François-Philippe Champagne, concerning a government order to dissolve its Canadian operations. In a letter dated July 2nd and obtained by The Canadian Press, Chew has asked for a direct meeting with the minister within two weeks.
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Arguing the Order is “Outdated and Unproductive”
In the letter, Chew described the shutdown order, issued by the Canadian government last November, as a relic of a “different government, a different era” that “does not reflect the realities of today.” He strongly criticized the continued enforcement of the order, calling it “outdated and unproductive with no discernible benefit,” particularly as the circumstances surrounding a potential TikTok ban in the United States, which initially prompted the order, have since evolved.
The Canadian government initiated a national security review of TikTok’s parent company, the China-based ByteDance, in the fall of 2023, culminating in an order in November 2024 to dissolve its Canadian business. This order demands a halt to business operations, though users in Canada can still access the app.
Chew warned that enforcing this order would isolate Canada from its partners in the “Five Eyes” intelligence-sharing alliance (the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand). He argued the directive is based on “assumptions about the future of TikTok in the U.S. that are no longer applicable.”
Serious Consequences for Canadian Operations
Chew stressed that without ministerial intervention, TikTok would be forced to lay off its more than 350 employees in Canada, cease all direct investment in the country, and cut off support for creators and cultural institutions. “The process of winding down our business is rapidly approaching a critical juncture,” he stated.
In a related move, TikTok announced on July 7th that it was withdrawing its sponsorship from several arts organizations, including the Juno Awards and the Toronto International Film Festival.
A spokesperson for Minister Champagne has not yet commented on whether a reply has been sent or if a meeting with Chew is scheduled.
Underlying National Security Concerns
The Canadian government’s order is rooted in privacy and security concerns regarding TikTok and its parent company, ByteDance. A key issue is China’s National Intelligence Law, which compels domestic organizations to cooperate with government intelligence-gathering activities.
The government stated it took action “to address specific national security risks,” but has not publicly detailed the nature of these risks.
Meanwhile, TikTok is challenging the order in Federal Court. The company counters that the government has presented no evidence that it poses a security threat to Canada and has shown no interest in discussing solutions. TikTok maintains that the government’s concerns could be allayed through measures such as enhanced data security protocols, increased transparency, and additional oversight.
Chew pointed out that if the dissolution order is carried out, the company would have “no base or representatives within Canadian jurisdiction,” despite having 14 million users in the country. He emphasized the importance of a local presence, which has allowed the company to be accountable to Canadian policymakers and authorities by attending parliamentary committees, engaging with regulators, cooperating with law enforcement, and coordinating with election officials.