$360m for quantum research in Canada
The Canadian government has launched a National Quantum Strategy with backing of $360m
The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry launched the strategy, which covers quantum computing, sensors and communications.
The Government of Canada has invested more than $1bn in quantum since 2012. This has led to key technology development at Xanadu Quantum Technologies, CogniFrame, Photon etc. and Zero Point Cryogenics.
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The government plans further investments in three areas.
There is $141m for basic and applied research with $169m for commercialisation, which importantly includes both products and services.
Quantum skills
Critically there is also $45m to develop and retain quantum expertise and talent in Canada, as well as attract experts from within Canada and around the world, to build the quantum sector in the country.
This follows strategic plans for quantum from the US, UK and EU that all highlight the gap in quantum skills.
A study commissioned by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) in 2020 estimates the Canadian quantum industry will be worth $139b by 2045 and account for 209,200 jobs.
Champagne was joined at the launch by Dr. Raymond Laflamme, professor in the Department of Physics and Astronomy and Canada Research Chair in Quantum Information at the Institute for Quantum Computing at the University of Waterloo, and Dr. Stephanie Simmons, associate professor in the Department of Physics and Canada Research Chair in Silicon Quantum Technologies at Simon Fraser University and founder and Chief Quantum Officer of Photonic Inc. Drs. Laflamme and Simmons will serve as co-chairs of a new Quantum Advisory Council, which will provide independent expert advice on the implementation of the strategy.
Efforts under the strategy are already under way.
To reinforce Canada’s research strengths in quantum science and help develop a talent pipeline to support the growth of a strong quantum community, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada (NSERC) is providing $137.9m through its Alliance grants and Collaborative Research and Training Experience (CREATE) grants.
Mitacs will deliver $40 million to support the attraction, training, retention and deployment of highly qualified personnel in quantum science and technology through innovation internship experiences and professional skills development.
The Quantum Research and Development Initiative (QRDI), a new $9m programme coordinated and administered by the NRC, is being established to grow collaborative, federal quantum research and development. QRDI will bring together government, academic and industrial partners together to work on advancing quantum technologies under the three missions of the National Quantum Strategy.
To help translate quantum science and research into commercial innovations the NRC is receiving $50 million to expand the Internet of Things: Quantum Sensors Challenge program and roll out its Applied Quantum Computing Challenge program. Canada’s Global Innovation Clusters are also receiving $14m to carry out activities as part of the Commercialization pillar.
In addition, the government’s flagship strategic procurement program, Innovative Solutions Canada, is receiving $35m over seven years to help innovative Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises grow, scale up, develop intellectual property, export and create high-value jobs in the quantum sector.
“Quantum technologies will shape the course of the future and Canada is at the forefront, leading the way. The National Quantum Strategy will support a resilient economy by strengthening our research, businesses and talent, giving Canada a competitive advantage for decades to come. I look forward to collaborating with businesses, researchers and academia as we build our quantum future, said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry.
Canada’s National Quantum Strategy
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