An opinion piece argues that Canada, despite its early lead and breakthroughs in quantum research, must urgently industrialize quantum technologies to secure its future prosperity, resilience, and national security. It warns that Canada risks losing its competitive edge if it fails to scale up its quantum sector with coordinated public-private investment and bold support.
Opinion: The future is quantum. Canada must seize and industrialize it
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TL;DR: Key points with love ❤️An opinion piece argues that Canada, despite its early lead and breakthroughs in quantum research, must urgently industrialize quantum technologies to secure its future prosperity, resilience, and national security. It warns that Canada risks losing its competitive edge if it fails to scale up its quantum sector with coordinated public-private investment and bold support.
Trending- 1 2021: Canada’s National Quantum Strategy launched.
- 2 June (last month): Prime Minister Mark Carney declared quantum a core focus of Canada’s G7 agenda and announced accelerated defence investments, including the new Bureau of Research, Engineering and Advanced Leadership in Innovation and Science (BOREALIS).
- Canada's future prosperity, resilience, and national security are at stake
- Risk of Canada losing its early lead in quantum and being locked out of global quantum systems and supply chains
- Opportunity for quantum technologies to contribute significantly to Canada's GDP (e.g., 3% by 2045)
- Need for increased public-private investment and strategic support to industrialize quantum
What: Canada needs to industrialize quantum technologies, moving beyond scientific discovery to build capacity in fabrication, integration, secure supply chains, and deployment at scale. This is crucial for Canada's prosperity, resilience, and national security, as quantum technologies are transforming industries and national security.
When: Now (urgency emphasized). Prime Minister Carney declared quantum a core G7 focus and announced accelerated defence investments last month (June). McKinsey & Co. estimates US$2-trillion by 2035. National Research Council projects 3% of GDP by 2045. Canada's National Quantum Strategy launched in 2021.
Where: Canada (across the country), G7 countries.
Why: Quantum technologies are no longer a lab curiosity but are becoming infrastructure. Canada has an early lead but is under pressure from other countries scaling fast. Without industrialization, Canada risks being locked out of critical systems, supply chains, and decision-making tables, potentially losing high-paying jobs and strategic control.
How: Through co-ordinated public-private investment, agile procurement, bold milestone-based support that accelerates scale, and protecting strategic companies from foreign investors. This requires a 'nation-building project' approach.