TikTok working against the clock to save Vancouver jobs from Canadawide shutdown order

TikTok says Vancouver-based employees and cultural funding are at risk while the company hopes to meet with the federal government to reverse a shutdown order of all operations in Canada.

The government ordered the dissolution of TikTok’s Canadian business in November after a national security review of the Chinese company behind the social media platform.

That means TikTok must close its operations in Canada, though the app will continue to be available to Canadians.

TikTok has over 300 employees nationwide; half of those work in Vancouver. Steve De Eyre, the company’s director of public policy and government affairs, says the order means it will have to close its Vancouver office and terminate those jobs.

“But also, we’ve had to stop committing to funding and renewing funding for cultural programs in Canada, including things like the Junos,” said De Eyre.

Since opening offices in Toronto and Vancouver, TikTok says it has invested millions in programs and partnerships supporting local artists and creators over the past five years.

The social media company will also be forced to stop funding cultural programs like the $500,000 contribution to MusiCounts, which supports some high school music programs in Vancouver.

“They’ve used the money from TikTok to fund a number of classrooms and schools in the Vancouver area. So, that’s money that they have. We want to continue to be able to do that and continue funding those programs, which, unfortunately, we won’t be able to do under this order.”

He explains that the company is hoping to work with the federal government to find a way for TikTok to stay.

“We are actively asking the government meet with us to work on alternative solutions for us to remain in Canada — keep these jobs in Canada, our investments in camp and also allow us to work on solutions related to security and oversight,” said De Eyre.

“We think there’s a much better alternative solution than this current wind-up order.”

While he remains hopeful for a resolution, the timeline for a possible shutdown is uncertain, as he says ongoing litigation complicates the situation.

“Time is running out, is what I can say. And it’s urgent that we find a solution.”

—With files from The Canadian Press