British Columbia emerges as a pioneer in the global quantum landscape, primed for further advancement. In this regard, Minister Harjit Sajjan, responsible for the Pacific Economic Development Agency of Canada (PacifiCan), unveiled over $11 million in PacifiCan funding allocated to three BC-based organizations spearheading quantum computing innovation.
Project Investments
PacifiCan is driving the Regional Quantum Initiative in British Columbia, a part of the Government of Canada's National Quantum Strategy. This initiative aims to elevate Canada's global standing by fostering job creation and quantum technology commercialization, both domestically and internationally.
These investments mark the initial three projects in BC supported by the Regional Quantum Initiative, expected to benefit over 40 businesses.
$4.3 million was allocated to Simon Fraser University to establish the Quantum Fabrication Centre at the university's 4D LABS facility while over $3.4 million was awarded to 1QBit for the development and commercialization of their Topological Quantum Architecture Design (TopQAD™️).
More than $3.2 million was granted to the University of British Columbia to bolster their capacity for quantum technology commercialization at the Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute.
Quantum Impact
Previous investments from both private and public sectors, including over $1 billion injected by the Government of Canada from 2009 to 2020, have cultivated a proficient research and development (R&D) community in quantum technologies.
Notably, the quantum sector is expected to grow into a $139 billion industry in Canada by 2045, according to a study commissioned by the National Research Council of Canada (NRC). This will create over 200,000 jobs and generate $42 billion in returns.
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