The Canadian government is battling TikTok in court over an order to shut down the company’s operations in Canada. Amid this situation, Canada’s Industry Minister has stated that it is up to families to decide whether they will continue using the app.
François-Philippe Champagne said that, ultimately, it is a personal decision whether individuals will “keep their eyes open.” However, he did not clarify what exactly he meant by “families.”
He added, “I don’t want to give advice based on my personal experience. It’s a broad issue. If you ask me about my eight dietary habits, they may suit me and my family, but my personal experience or risk tolerance could be very different from others.”
Champagne made these remarks in a year-end interview with The Canadian Press. The interview took place on December 12, before the sudden resignation of former Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland. Champagne has been serving as Industry Minister since 2021 and retained his position after a cabinet shuffle on December 20.
In November, the federal government announced that TikTok must shut down its operations in Canada. This decision followed a national security review concerning the Chinese company behind the social media platform. However, TikTok remains accessible to Canadians for now.
In December, TikTok challenged the government’s decision in court, arguing that it was unreasonable and driven by improper motives.
In the interview, Champagne said the company has the right to challenge the decision legally. However, he emphasized, “That won’t divert me from my primary task, which is to protect Canada’s national security.”
Champagne did not specify a deadline by which TikTok must cease its operations in Canada.
