TikTok is seeking to negotiate with Canadian officials as the company prepares to wind down its operations in the country following a government order citing national security risks.<\/p>\n
In November, Canada\u2019s Innovation, Science and Industry Minister,\u00a0Fran\u00e7ois-Philippe Champagne<\/b>, said the government had ordered<\/a> TikTok Technology Canada<\/b> to \u201cwind up\u201d its operations over \u201cspecific national security risks\u201d that had been identified during a year-long review of TikTok\u2019s Canadian operations.<\/p>\n \u201cThe government is not blocking Canadians\u2019 access to the TikTok application or their ability to create content. The decision to use a social media application or platform is a personal choice,\u201d Champagne said at the time.<\/p>\n Most recently, Bloomberg <\/i>reported<\/a> Monday (July 14), citing an interview with Steve de Eyre<\/b>, director of TikTok\u2019s government affairs for Canada, that ByteDance<\/b>-owned TikTok has already started cutting spending on cultural programs and sponsorships this month after receiving<\/a> the order in November.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are still looking to get [a deal] to the table\u2026 Time is running out.\u201d<\/p>\n Steve De Eyre, TikTok<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n De Eyre told the newswire: \u201cWe are still looking to get [a deal] to the table\u2026 Time is running out.\u201d<\/p>\n TikTok Chief Executive Shou Zi Chew<\/b> on July 2 wrote to Industry Minister Melanie Joly<\/b>, requesting an urgent face-to-face meeting within the next two weeks. The letter, reviewed by Bloomberg<\/i>, warned that without government intervention, TikTok would be forced to terminate its entire Canadian workforce.<\/p>\n The letter obtained by Bloomberg <\/i>read: \u201c\u201cThe windup process is rapidly approaching a critical juncture where, unless you intervene, TikTok will be forced to fire all of its Canadian employees\u201d as well as halting investment and support for creators.<\/p>\n De Eyre confirmed the letter’s contents but said TikTok has not received an official response from the Industry Ministry, according to the news outlet.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019ve had people who have unfortunately left for other opportunities because of this order being out there, and we haven\u2019t been able to rehire for those roles because of the order.\u201d<\/p>\n Steve De Eyre, TikTok<\/span><\/p><\/blockquote>\n The company, which has challenged the shutdown order in court, employ about 350<\/b> people across its Toronto and Vancouver offices, Bloomberg <\/i>said. The company reported paying C$340 million <\/b>(USD$248 million) in Canadian taxes between 2019 and 2024. It has 14 million <\/b>users in Canada, the report added.<\/p>\n De Eyre told Bloomberg: <\/i>\u201cWe\u2019ve had people who have unfortunately left for other opportunities because of this order being out there, and we haven\u2019t been able to rehire for those roles because of the order.\u201d<\/p>\n TikTok\u2019s Canadian woes reflect global tensions over TikTok\u2019s Chinese ownership and data security practices. In the UK, TikTok hired a British firm to audit its data controls and protections as part of efforts to address regulatory concerns.<\/p>\n In the US, TikTok\u2019s presence remains in limbo as US President Donald Trump<\/strong> granted<\/a> the company another 90-day extension to find a buyer or risk being shut down in the country. Following the latest reprieve, TikTok has until September 17 to look for a new owner.<\/p>\n About two weeks ago, Trump said he has secured<\/a> a buyer for TikTok\u2019s US business, but declined to identify the group of purchasers.<\/p>\n\n