Will Canada seize this rare chance to lead the world in quantum technologies?

When we look back at the 2020s, will we see missed opportunities—or a decade where Canada was truly a world leader in innovation? 

The Canadian government has been clear about its priorities. National sovereignty, security, and a strong economy are essential to the country’s future. The Department of National Defence has articulated this through its Build, Partner, Buy framework. The principle is straightforward: if we can build technology in Canada, we should. If we cannot build it alone, we should partner to create and scale it—attracting investment, building talent and capacity, and creating Canadian jobs. And if we must buy from abroad, our trading partners should return clear benefits to Canada.

Canada’s research universities like Simon Fraser University (SFU) have long been trusted drivers of innovation. We connect scientific discovery to real-world problems, and we are ready to help Canada lead globally in areas where we already excel—quantum technologies, artificial intelligence, and clean energy. These are not just economic opportunities; they are increasingly critical to national sovereignty, security, and defence.

At the same time, the federal government is actively working with allies in the UK, Australia, Europe, and India to build resilient and strategic partnerships. Universities, with their deep global networks and breadth of expertise, are uniquely positioned to broker relationships between government, industry, and innovators. They are natural conveners—and catalysts—of national ambition.

In quantum technologies, Canada’s universities are also pursuing international collaborations and industry partnerships. We are leading the world, and we are ready to build.

SFU, together with its partners, recently received funding support from Pacific Economic Development Canada to advance the Vancouver Quantum Network (QVan). This pioneering, secure quantum communication infrastructure will serve regional companies and innovators. Using quantum technology to transfer data, QVan enables unhackable communication over existing fibre–optic infrastructure owned by TELUS, a key partner in the initiative.

SFU spin-off and quantum technology powerhouse Photonic, Inc. is a commercial partner in Q-Van. The company has already successfully transferred quantum information over 30 kilometres of TELUS’s installed commercial fibre—a world first. 

QVan reflects the Build, Partner, Buy philosophy in action: build what we can in Canada, partner to develop and scale what we need, and buy only what we cannot create ourselves. Of the companies involved in the network, more than 60 per cent are small, Canadian firms.

As a world leader in quantum technology, Canada has the capacity to build on initiatives like Q‑Van and scale them nationally and internationally. If we approach this moment strategically, we can convert our existing leadership in these fields into a lasting national advantage.

For those unfamiliar with quantum technology, it may sound like science fiction. But the innovations being developed in Canada today are real, commercially viable, and globally competitive. They have dual‑use applications that will benefit Canada’s economy, security, and citizens.

Quantum sensors, for example, will offer precision far beyond traditional technologies. Their applications include defence and security uses such as drone detection, industrial automation in mining and manufacturing, and consumer products like autonomous vehicles and wearable health technology.

Quantum communications—as demonstrated by Photonic and TELUS—will fundamentally change how information is protected. Quantum technology will enable data encryption for governments, businesses, and individuals, securing everything from banking and personal data to intellectual property and infrastructure.

Quantum computing will allow researchers to make discoveries exponentially faster than classical computers. Breakthroughs in drug development, advanced materials, and agricultural innovation will be accelerated. Chemistry, in particular, stands to benefit from quantum systems capable of rapidly modelling complex reactions. Canadian companies like Photonic, Inc. are already building the quantum computing architectures that will power these breakthroughs.

Now some may question whether we have enough of this expertise in Canada. Talent development is equally critical. The quantum era will demand highly trained researchers, engineers, and innovators. This is where universities excel. The flow of ideas and people is something we have mastered, and Canada’s passionate researchers are a national treasure—ready and eager to collaborate on next‑generation technologies.

Ideally, ten years from now, Canada will be taking bids for Canadian‑built cybersecurity systems, quantum communications, sensors, computers and more. If we perfect these technologies at home, we can deploy them here—and sell them to the world. The Canadian Quantum Champions Program, launched last year, is a great start. With it, the federal government is supporting domestic innovation from four Canadian quantum companies, including Photonic. 

With the right policy environment and sustained innovation support, universities can strengthen Canadian sovereignty by building quantum networks, expanding capacity, and developing dual‑use technologies. From incremental advances to transformative breakthroughs, from homegrown products to global exports, all Canadians stand to benefit.

We have a choice to make. What will we do now to determine what Canada’s quantum‑enabled future looks like?