From Kananaskis to Brussels, quantum is gaining global profile, and Canada’s playing a starring role.

In the past few weeks alone, quantum has surged into the spotlight, landing squarely on some of the most influential agendas in policy, business strategy, investment, and national security.

Here’s what’s been happening — and how Canadian ideas, companies, and collaborations are helping shape what’s next (eh).

In this issue:

• Canada’s New Defence Plans Signal Quantum’s Strategic Role 🇨🇦 🛡️
• Canada and the UK Double Down on Quantum Collaboration 🇨🇦🇬🇧
• Quantum at the G7: A Defining Moment for Canada and the Global Quantum Economy 🌐
• Canada Releases Federal Roadmap for Post-Quantum Cryptography 🇨🇦🔐
• Canada–EU Deal Unlocks New Quantum & Defence Collaboration 🇨🇦🇪🇺
• QUANTUM NOW: Where Global Strategy Met the Quantum Economy 🎯
• ICYMI: Op-Ed on Industrializing Quantum in The Globe and Mail 📰
• QIC Community Achievements and Highlights 👏
• More Must-read Quantum News 🗞️
• Hot Jobs: New Quantum Career Opportunities 💼
• Upcoming Quantum Events in Canada 🗓️

🇨🇦🛡️ Canada’s New Defence Plans Signal Quantum’s Strategic Role

In June, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced a new plan to rebuild, rearm, and reinvest in the Canadian Armed Forces, outlining a strategic vision to modernize defence, reinforce sovereignty, and prepare Canada for the technologies shaping global security.

One of the plan’s major features is the creation of BOREALIS — the Bureau of Research, Engineering and Advanced Leadership in Innovation and Science — a new federal initiative focused on driving innovation across critical technologies, including quantum, AI, and next-generation cybersecurity.

THE TAKEAWAY:

Canada is positioning quantum not just as a scientific or commercial pursuit, but as a strategic capability essential to national security and technological sovereignty. It underscores that Canada sees quantum as part of the foundation for long-term security, economic resilience, and technological leadership.

📢 → Read the Prime Minister's announcement​

📝 → Read QIC's statement in response to the announcement​

🇨🇦🇬🇧 Canada and the UK Double Down on Quantum Collaboration

In a joint statement issued in June, Prime Ministers Carney and Starmer announced a new commitment to build secure transatlantic quantum communications, linking Canada and the UK as part of a next-gen global quantum network.

The statement also flagged deeper collaboration on quantum-enabled defence technologies, secure cryptography, and development and testing ew equipment and cutting-edge technologies vital to maintaining shared security and prosperity.

THE TAKEAWAY:

Canada and the UK are both recognized global leaders in quantum, and this alignment signals a high-trust partnership with real potential for joint innovation, tech integration, and commercial deployment on both sides of the Atlantic.

🗒️ → Read the Joint Statement by Canadian Prime Minister Carney and UK Prime Minister Starmer​

🌐 Quantum at the G7: A Defining Moment for Canada and the Global Quantum Economy

🌍 G7 Leaders Endorse a Common Vision for Quantum Technologies

At the G7 Leaders' Summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada played host to a major milestone: the release of the Kananaskis Common Vision for the Future of Quantum Technologies.

For the first time, G7 leaders issued a joint statement elevating quantum as a strategic priority for economic resilience, digital trust, and collective security.

Quantum Industry Canada (QIC) was proud to help drive towards this outcome, leading global industry efforts to champion putting quantum on the G7 Leaders’ agenda. That included spearheading a joint letter in October 2024 with members of the International Council of Quantum Industry Associations (ICQIA) urging G7 governments to prioritize quantum at the highest levels. This effort, backed by months of engagement and alignment across Canadian and international partners, helped catalyze the momentum we’re now seeing.

THE TAKEAWAY:

This signals a global turning point: quantum is no longer just an emerging technology — it’s now recognized as a foundational building block of modern economies. And it affirms Canada’s global leadership, not only in quantum capability, but in shaping the international frameworks and priorities that will define the sector’s future.

🗒️ → Read the Kananaskis Common Vision for the Future of Quantum Technologies​

📝 → Read QIC's statement on quantum being named a core priority for the 2025 G7 Leaders' Summit​

📝 → Read QIC's statement in response to the Kananaskis Common Vision​

📝 → Read the ICQIA and UKQuantum joint statement in response to the Kananaskis Common Vision​

🔐 G7 Cybersecurity Working Group: Quantum-Resilient Infrastructure Is Now a Shared Priority

In June, the G7 Cybersecurity Working Group released its Chair’s Statement reaffirming a collective commitment to strengthening cyber resilience, and flagged quantum computing as a key area of focus.

Among the three core objectives identified in the statement:

The statement also confirmed that post-quantum cryptography (PQC) will be a dedicated workstream during Canada’s G7 presidency, a signal that allied nations are moving toward coordinated migration strategies to defend digital infrastructure against future quantum threats.

THE TAKEAWAY:

For organizations developing quantum-safe cryptography and security tools, this marks a new phase of relevance and demand. It also reinforces that PQC isn’t just a technical challenge, but rather it’s a strategic priority for digital trust and international coordination. Canada, and Canadian innovators, have a central role to play in the solution.

🗒️ → Read the Chairs' statement on the G7 Cybersecurity Working Group meeting​

🇨🇦🔐 Canada Releases Federal Roadmap for Post-Quantum Cryptography

In June, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security published the Roadmap for the Migration to Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC), a landmark step in the Government of Canada’s effort to prepare its digital infrastructure for the quantum era.

The roadmap sets clear expectations and timelines for federal departments and agencies:

• By April 2026: Departments must develop PQC migration plans
• Annually from 2026: Progress reporting required
• By end of 2031: High-priority systems must be transitioned
• By end of 2035: All remaining systems must complete migration

THE TAKEAWAY:

Quantum computers capable of breaking today’s encryption don’t exist yet, but adversaries aren’t waiting. Sensitive data is being intercepted and stored now, in anticipation of decrypting it later. That’s why migration to quantum-secure cryptography needs to start today.

If you're a business leader, policymaker, CISO, CIO, board director, or procurement lead, this is your cue to ask questions:

• Are your vendors quantum-secure?
• Is your organization positioned for cryptographic resilience?
• Do you have a plan?

This shift isn't theoretical anymore. It’s underway, and it opens the door for Canadian firms building quantum-safe and cryptographically resilient solutions (including a number of QIC members) to play a key role in securing everything from financial systems to public services.

🧭 → Read the Government of Canada's PQC transition roadmap​

🇨🇦🇪🇺 Canada–EU Deal Unlocks New Quantum & Defence Collaboration

Canada and the European Union have announced a new Strategic Partnership of the Future, and quantum is part of the plan.

The agreement includes a formal Security and Defence Partnership, along with commitments to joint industrial collaboration and co-investment in critical technologies like quantum, secure communications, cybersecurity, and AI.

THE TAKEAWAY:

This opens the door to new transatlantic opportunities for Canadian and European firms, especially those working on quantum technologies with security, defence, and infrastructure applications. It also signals greater alignment on standards, certification, and procurement, helping companies scale more easily across markets.

🗒️ → Read the Canada-EU Joint Statement: Enduring Partnership, Ambitious Agenda​

🤝 → Read the Security and defence partnership between the European Union and Canada​

🎯 QUANTUM NOW: Where Global Strategy Met the Quantum Economy

In June, immediately following the G7 Leaders' Summit, QUANTUM NOW / ICI QUANTIQUE brought together senior-level decision-makers from across the G7 and beyond for one of the year’s most important conversations on the emerging quantum economy.

Hosted in Montréal by Quantum Industry Canada (QIC) in partnership with Distriq, the Quantum Innovation Zone, and with The Quantum Insider as lead market intelligence partner, this premier executive forum convened 375+ attendees representing 210+ organizations to explore how quantum technologies are moving from the lab to global markets, and what it will take to lead.

Canada’s first-ever quantum tech expo was also a feature of the event, showcasing the companies and capabilities driving commercialization across quantum computing, sensing, communications, and enabling technologies.

With participation from corporate leaders, government officials, investors, defence experts, and technology leaders, QUANTUM NOW offered a rare and timely opportunity for strategic alignment across sectors. It was also recognized as an official Industry and Innovation Global Event of the International Year of Quantum, underscoring its international profile and impact.

THE TAKEAWAY:

Canada isn’t just contributing to the global quantum economy — it’s helping define it. QUANTUM NOW put that leadership on display and gave the world a front-row seat.

🎥 Missed it? Recordings of select sessions will be available soon.

📽️ Watch the sizzle reel​
​📸 View the photo album​

📰 In Case You Missed It: Op-Ed on Industrializing Quantum in The Globe and Mail

Quantum Industry Canada (QIC) CEO Lisa Lambert recently published an op-ed in The Globe and Mail making the case for bold national action to industrialize quantum in Canada.

WHY IT MATTERS: ​
It’s a clear-eyed look at what’s at stake, and why Canada must move fast to turn quantum strength into lasting economic advantage.

👉 Read the op-ed on The Globe and Mail website (paid subscription may be required) or on QIC's website (no paywall)

👏 QIC Community Achievements and Highlights

Before we get to the achievements and highlights, we're excited to welcome two new QIC members: SilQ Connect headquartered in Sherbrooke, QC and Red Blue Quantum headquartered in Waterloo, ON. 👋

Now on to some highlights from the QIC community:

• BTQ launches a world's first quantum proof-of-work simulator → Read more​
• BTQ announced a strategic partnership with QPerfect to co-develop quantum-secure applications using neutral atom quantum computers → Read more​
• BTQ and Quandela sign an MOU to jointly explore how photonic quantum computing can advance energy-efficient blockchain validation through BTQ's Quantum Sampling Proof-of-Work (QSPoW) protocol → Read more​
• FABrIC powered by CMC Microsystems announces $25.6M investment in 20 projects across Canada. Congrats to all FABrIC Challenge program recipients! → Read more​
• IonQ announced pricing for their $1B equity offering → Read more​
• IonQ completed its acquisition of Capella Science to begin developing a space-based quantum key distribution (QKD) network for secure global communications​ → Read more​
• Multiverse Computing announced a €189 million ($302 million CAD) Series B investment round led by Bullhound Capital → Read more​
• Nord Quantique reached a new milestone in error correction → Read more​
• Open Quantum Design announced a new partnership with Nord Quantique → Read more​
• OTI Lumionics has demonstrated that large-scale quantum simulations for materials discovery, previously thought to require quantum hardware, can now be performed on classical computers with high accuracy → Read more​
• Pasqal opened their new quantum factory in Sherbrooke, Québec and announced their the sale of their 100-qubit QPU to Distriq → Read more​
• A team of researchers from TRIUMF and Perimeter Institute leverage D-Wave technology to pioneer a new "quantum-assisted" generative model capable of running simulations and open new opportunities to cost-effectively analyze rapidly growing data sets to simulate particle collisions. → Read more​
• PINQ2 and Multiverse Computing announced a new partnership to accelerate innovation with highly compressed, resource-efficient AI models → Read more​
• Photonic Inc. announced a £25 million ($46 million CAD) in a UK-based quantum R&D facility → Read more​
• Photonic​ Inc. and Xanadu were featured in the inaugural BetakKit Most Ambitious print issue → Read more​
• Quandela has partnered with Mila to develop hybrid artificial intelligence and quantum computing technologies → Read more​
• Xanadu and Mitsubishi Chemical Group launched a joint project to use quantum computing for the advancement of new semiconductor chip fabrication technologies → Read more​
• Xanadu opens $10M advanced photonic packaging facility in Toronto—the first end-to-end, ultra-low loss photonic packaging line of its kind in the country. And its now open to external collaborators developing the next generation of photonic and quantum hardware → Read more and contact the Xanadu team about collaborating​

🗞️ More Buzzworthy Quantum Headlines and Resources

From around the world:

• The European Commission has released its strategy to make the EU a global leader in quantum technology by 2030 → Read it here​
• The UK government pledged to invest over £500 million into quantum computing → Read more​
• The Bank for International Settlements (BIS) released a framework to support the financial system in transitioning to quantum-safe cryptographic infrastructures, emphasizing the need to begin preparations today with broad awareness and cryptographic inventory as critical foundations → Read the full report​
• Capgemini Research Institute released a report on why post-quantum cryptography tops the new cybersecurity research agenda → Read it here ​

And more about the field from think pieces, podcasts, and blogs by members of the QIC community:

• If you missed QUANTUM NOW, you can check out Kyle Briggs' Reflections on QUANTUM NOW on his CanInnovate Substack
• Open Quantum Design's Economist in Residence was recently interviewed for the MIT Sloan Management Review on How Close is Commercial Quantum Computing?​
• Michael Murphy, a QUANTUM NOW-DND MINDS Fellow and the Director of the new Centre for International and Defence Policy at Queen's University co-authored an article on Canada's High​-Tech Defence Imperative​
• Read more about Xanadu's recent photonic quantum computing advancements in this Forbes Technology Council article​
• Xanadu's CEO Christian Weedbrook was recently interviewed on the Canadian SME Small Business Podcast. Listen here​

💼 Career Opportunities in Canada's Quantum Sector

Curious about careers that don’t just follow the trends but set them?

Canada’s quantum sector is the playing field for those who dream big and innovate bigger. With a plethora of positions available at QIC's members and affiliates, your future career awaits on the cutting edge!

📌 From the QIC community job board:

• ​01 Quantum (formerly 01 Communique) is looking for engineers, as well as sales and marketing professionals
• ​Anyon Systems is seeking quantum hardware engineers and an HPC developer
• ​BTQ has open roles in both software and hardware engineering
• ​Crypto4A invites interested individuals to contact their recruitment team
• ​D-Wave has openings in business services, research and development, and sales and marketing.
• ​Ki3 Photonics Technologies is always looking to have conversations with interested candidates
• ​Nord Quantique is seeking a quantum hardware physicist, two electromagnetic designers, and a senior quantum control physicist
• ​OTI Lumionics has open roles for an analytical chemist, an analytical lab technician, a facility manager, and more
• ​OZ Optics has several open roles in all areas of its business
• ​Pasqal has an open call for future opportunities in their Canadian office
• ​Photonic is looking for hardware engineers and senior quantum scientists, and roles in other business areas
• ​PINQ2 is looking a head of business development
• ​Q-Block Computing is looking for a CNC machinist, nanofabrication engineer, quantum scientists, and an admin assistant
• ​Quantum Valley Ideas Lab is hiring a quantum technologies scientist and three postdoctoral fellows
• ​softwareQ is looking for a quantum computing research
• ​Xanadu has open roles senior scientists, software developers, photonics engineers, and more
• ​Zero Point Cryogenics is looking for a machinist

Plus research opportunities:

• ​Quantum Horizons Alberta has launched a search to fill multiple tenure-track positions in quantum and the Artificial Intelligence Cohort Hire initiative is recruiting 21 researchers who are using AI and machine learning research across a range of disciplines. Learn more.​

📅 Quantum-related Events in Canada

• ​qConnect, hosted by Quantum City at the University of Calgary in Calgary, AB November 5-6, 2025
• ​Energy and the Quantum Advantage: DEF 2025 hosted by Decentralized Energy Canada in Québec City, QC November 20-21, 2025
• ​Accelerated – Canada's Semiconductor Symposium 2025 hosted by FABrIC powered by CMC Microsystems in Vancouver, BC November 25-26, 2025
• ​Quantum Days 2026 hosted by Deep Tech Canada in Victoria, BC February 18-20, 2026