Even with 1.8 million followers on TikTok, Wallace Wong says he feels like heB次元官网网址檚 been dealt a huge blow after the federal government directed the app to shut down its Canadian operations this week.

B次元官网网址淚t feels like weB次元官网网址檝e lost some support and IB次元官网网址檓 (left) to fend for myself,B次元官网网址� says the Toronto-based chef whoB次元官网网址檚 become a viral sensation for his chopping skills.

B次元官网网址淔or such a big platform like TikTok to no longer have an office here, it feels like weB次元官网网址檝e lost a vital line of communication B次元官网网址� not just as creators, but also for the brand looking at how they can help creators here. ItB次元官网网址檚 a lose-lose.B次元官网网址�

Wong is one of several Canadian TikTok creators who worry that the closure of the platformB次元官网网址檚 Canadian arm will erode their support system and limit their earning potential.

The federal government ordered the dissolution of TikTokB次元官网网址檚 business in Canada on Wednesday, citing national security risks, but it stopped short of an outright ban on the app.

A TikTok spokesperson said the decision will result in the loss of hundreds of well-paying local jobs, adding that the platform intends to challenge the order in court.

Lifestyle and food content creatorMali Raja says the appB次元官网网址檚 Canadian division helped local users with account optimization, resolving technical issues and landing sponsorships. She adds it frequently organized pop-up events and digital campaigns to spotlight local talent, and played a key role in connecting creators with brands.

B次元官网网址淣ow, weB次元官网网址檙e taking a step back in terms of creators losing that outreach,B次元官网网址� she says.

Advertisers may also become reluctant to invest in content on the platform, says Michelle Nguyen, president and chief strategist of Toronto-based social media agency Super Duper. As a result, Canadian creators may see a decline in ad dollars, she says.

B次元官网网址淚 see brands getting worried about the amount of money theyB次元官网网址檙e putting towards their TikTok presence. I have concerns that they will be pulling back budget because theyB次元官网网址檙e being reminded of how precarious TikTok can be (in Canada),B次元官网网址� she says.

Wong shares similar worries that the uncertainty surrounding TikTok could lead to a decrease in brand partnerships and sponsorships.

B次元官网网址淚t creates fear. For TikTok to not have an office here, it could signal to brands that B次元官网网址楳aybe we shouldnB次元官网网址檛 put all our eggs in TikTok, maybe we should take away some of our budgeting and put it in other platforms, because we donB次元官网网址檛 know how long itB次元官网网址檚 going to be here.B次元官网网址橞次元官网网址�

TikTok comedian Neema Naz says the winding down of the platformB次元官网网址檚 local offices feels especially B次元官网网址渇rustratingB次元官网网址� because Canadian creators are already at a disadvantage. Canada is excluded from TikTokB次元官网网址檚 Creator Rewards Program, which pays creators for their videos.

The Toronto native says that while some creators had hoped TikTokB次元官网网址檚 Canadian presence would eventually lead to the implementation of a rewards program in the country, B次元官网网址淚 guess thatB次元官网网址檚 not an option anymore.B次元官网网址�

Naz says the closure is symptomatic of a larger problem B次元官网网址� a lack of support for Canadian artists.

B次元官网网址淲hen an accountant or doctor or someone with a regular job is bored or sad or angry in their time off, they watch comedy. They watch content so they donB次元官网网址檛 lose their minds. I feel like in Canada a lot of people donB次元官网网址檛 value us as creators,B次元官网网址� he says.

B次元官网网址淭his is why weB次元官网网址檙e heading to the U.S. on work visas with the hopes of staying there permanently, because they actually put more effort and funding into the arts.B次元官网网址�

New Brunswick creator Tom Hearn says elimination of TikTokB次元官网网址檚 Canadian branch feels like another blow to B次元官网网址渁 dying arts scene in Canada.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淲e have no star system in the country that we live in. Unless your last name is Levy, youB次元官网网址檙e probably not going to get a TV show or a special,B次元官网网址� says the TikTok comedian.

B次元官网网址淪o TikTok has actually opened insane doors for me that would never have happened before. ItB次元官网网址檚 extremely important for comedians and artists.B次元官网网址�

That being said, Hearn says heB次元官网网址檇 be willing to get off of TikTok if it truly posed a national security threat. But he argues the government has been very vague about what the threat actually is.

B次元官网网址淚f the security of our nation is at risk because of this specific app, then plainly state what the issue is and do something to fix it. This doesnB次元官网网址檛 feel like a solution,B次元官网网址� he says.

B次元官网网址淚f TikTok is a security breach, then letB次元官网网址檚 ban it. If itB次元官网网址檚 not, then letB次元官网网址檚 let them have their employees.B次元官网网址�

Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press