A drone equipped with a thermal camera flies over the plants in Slippery Rock, Pa. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
Ontario will stop the use and purchase of drones made in China by the government and provincial police due to “growing security and privacy concerns” regarding foreign technology.
The province claims that Chinese law might require businesses based in China to share data even if it’s stored outside the country, and these drones could access or hold sensitive information.
Ontario states it will immediately prohibit Chinese-made drones from being used in highly sensitive operations by provincial police, ban their purchase for government purposes, and slowly replace current government drones with technology manufactured in Canada or other approved locations.
The government mentions that this decision aligns with actions taken by other organizations such as the Canadian Armed Forces and the RCMP.
The province plans to consult industry stakeholders over the next few weeks to explore replacement options, including manufacturers from Canada and Ontario.
Minister of Public and Business Service Delivery and Procurement Stephen Crawford notes that this is part of a strategy to “better leverage” Canada’s drone manufacturing sector.
“Now more than ever, it is critical that we are protecting our province’s data and safeguarding our security against bad actors,” he said in a press release Wednesday.
Solicitor General Michael Kerzner added that the province is exploring ways to tackle potential security risks while ensuring police have access to modern tools.
“Police services across Ontario rely on drones to support critical operations and protect public safety, but we cannot ignore growing security and privacy concerns tied to foreign-made technology,” said Kerzner.
Ontario indicates that this measure is part of an upcoming legislative package aimed at boosting the province’s security.
This report by The Canadian Press was first May 20, 2026.
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