ONTARIO RESTRICTING GOVERNMENT USE OF CHINESE-MADE DRONES
Province protecting sensitive provincial data while supporting Canadian-made
drone technology
May 20, 2026
Ministry of Public and Business Service Delivery and ProcurementTORONTO — As part of the government’s plan to protect provincial data and
enhance security across the province, Ontario is bringing in new restrictions on
the use and purchase of Chinese-made drones by the government and the Ontario
Provincial Police (OPP), beginning with an immediate ban on the use of Chinese
drones for highly sensitive OPP operations. As part of this initiative, work is
also underway to phase out broader government use of Chinese-made drones and
replace them with those manufactured in Canada and other approved jurisdictions,
consistent with the provincial Buy Ontario policy, while ensuring critical
frontline operations continue without interruption.
“Now more than ever, it is critical that we are protecting our province’s data
and safeguarding our security against bad actors,” said Minister of Public and
Business Service Delivery and Procurement, Stephen Crawford. “Banning government
use and future purchases of Chinese-made drones is another important step in our
plan to protect Ontario and better leverage Canada’s world-class drone
manufacturing sector.”
Under current Chinese law, companies incorporated in China may be required to
disclose data, even if that data is stored outside the country. This raises
security concerns about Chinese-made drones, which could possibly access or
store sensitive information. To address these risks, the province is taking
action to ban the future procurement of Chinese-made drones by the government
and the OPP and begin phasing out those currently in use without interrupting or
compromising any critical frontline service work.
If approved, this updated policy will align Ontario with the approach taken by
numerous other government organizations, including the Canadian Armed Forces,
Royal Canadian Mounted Police and the United States Federal Communications
Commission, which have all already taken steps to restrict or limit the use of
Chinese-made drones.
“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 Solicitor General Michael
Kerzner. “That’s why our government is exploring options to address potential
security risks while ensuring police have access to the modern, reliable tools
they need to help protect Ontario communities.”
The ministry will consult and engage with industry and public sector
stakeholders in the coming weeks to identify a wide range of replacement
options, including Canadian and Ontario drone manufacturers, as part of ongoing
Buy Ontario initiatives.
These new measures build on the province’s previous action to enhance security
across the province and are part of a broader legislative package that will be
introduced in the coming days to keep streets and communities safe, strengthen
enforcement of existing community safety measures and better protect victims and
the vulnerable.
QUICK FACTS
* The province currently uses drones for purposes such as law enforcement,
emergency management, wildfire monitoring, road and bridge inspections, and
environmental monitoring.
* The province passed the Buy Ontario Act in December 2025 to prioritize
Ontario goods and services in public procurement. It applies to all public
sector organizations, including municipalities.
QUOTES
“Supply Ontario is focused on building stronger, more resilient supply chains
Ontarians can trust. By taking a deliberate approach to what we buy and who we
buy from, we are supporting reliable and secure sources of supply while creating
more opportunities to work with trusted partners closer to home. This is how we
deliver better value, strengthen public sector procurement, support local
economies, and protect public sector operations.”
– James Wallace
Chief Executive Officer of Supply Ontario
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Read about how the Buy Ontario Actis protecting Ontario workers and businesses.
