Ottawa Shuts Down 2 Tech Companies Over National Security Concerns

One of the companies provided stolen technology to a China-based company, according to a 2023 BC court decision

Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, Francois-Philippe Champagne rises during Question Period in the House of Commons on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, on Sept. 21, 2023. The Canadian Press/Patrick Doyle

The Canadian government has ordered two tech companies in British Columbia to cease operations due to national security concerns.

Innovation Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne did not give reasons for the concerns when he made his announcement on May 24, saying only that the matter involves “foreign investments.” One of the companies, Bluvec Technologies Inc., specializes in counter-drone defence and was found last year by a B.C. court to have provided stolen technology to a China-based company.