Even with 1.8 million followers on TikTok, Wallace Wong says he feels like he91裸聊视频檚 been dealt a huge blow after the federal government directed the app to shut down its Canadian operations this week.

91裸聊视频淚t feels like we91裸聊视频檝e lost some support and I91裸聊视频檓 (left) to fend for myself,91裸聊视频� says the Toronto-based chef who91裸聊视频檚 become a viral sensation for his chopping skills.

91裸聊视频淔or such a big platform like TikTok to no longer have an office here, it feels like we91裸聊视频檝e lost a vital line of communication 91裸聊视频� not just as creators, but also for the brand looking at how they can help creators here. It91裸聊视频檚 a lose-lose.91裸聊视频�

Wong is one of several Canadian TikTok creators who worry that the closure of the platform91裸聊视频檚 Canadian arm will erode their support system and limit their earning potential.

The federal government ordered the dissolution of TikTok91裸聊视频檚 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 app91裸聊视频檚 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.

91裸聊视频淣ow, we91裸聊视频檙e taking a step back in terms of creators losing that outreach,91裸聊视频� 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.

91裸聊视频淚 see brands getting worried about the amount of money they91裸聊视频檙e putting towards their TikTok presence. I have concerns that they will be pulling back budget because they91裸聊视频檙e being reminded of how precarious TikTok can be (in Canada),91裸聊视频� she says.

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

91裸聊视频淚t creates fear. For TikTok to not have an office here, it could signal to brands that 91裸聊视频楳aybe we shouldn91裸聊视频檛 put all our eggs in TikTok, maybe we should take away some of our budgeting and put it in other platforms, because we don91裸聊视频檛 know how long it91裸聊视频檚 going to be here.91裸聊视频�91裸聊视频�

TikTok comedian Neema Naz says the winding down of the platform91裸聊视频檚 local offices feels especially 91裸聊视频渇rustrating91裸聊视频� because Canadian creators are already at a disadvantage. Canada is excluded from TikTok91裸聊视频檚 Creator Rewards Program, which pays creators for their videos.

The Toronto native says that while some creators had hoped TikTok91裸聊视频檚 Canadian presence would eventually lead to the implementation of a rewards program in the country, 91裸聊视频淚 guess that91裸聊视频檚 not an option anymore.91裸聊视频�

Naz says the closure is symptomatic of a larger problem 91裸聊视频� a lack of support for Canadian artists.

91裸聊视频淲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 don91裸聊视频檛 lose their minds. I feel like in Canada a lot of people don91裸聊视频檛 value us as creators,91裸聊视频� he says.

91裸聊视频淭his is why we91裸聊视频檙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.91裸聊视频�

New Brunswick creator Tom Hearn says elimination of TikTok91裸聊视频檚 Canadian branch feels like another blow to 91裸聊视频渁 dying arts scene in Canada.91裸聊视频�

91裸聊视频淲e have no star system in the country that we live in. Unless your last name is Levy, you91裸聊视频檙e probably not going to get a TV show or a special,91裸聊视频� says the TikTok comedian.

91裸聊视频淪o TikTok has actually opened insane doors for me that would never have happened before. It91裸聊视频檚 extremely important for comedians and artists.91裸聊视频�

That being said, Hearn says he91裸聊视频檇 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.

91裸聊视频淚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 doesn91裸聊视频檛 feel like a solution,91裸聊视频� he says.

91裸聊视频淚f TikTok is a security breach, then let91裸聊视频檚 ban it. If it91裸聊视频檚 not, then let91裸聊视频檚 let them have their employees.91裸聊视频�

Alex Nino Gheciu, The Canadian Press