Canada Advances National Quantum Missions and Defense Applications as Global Partnerships Grow
At Quantum World Congress 2025, Canada emphasized its world-leading research legacy, fast-growing startup ecosystem, active role in DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative, new G7-led collaborations, and a strengthened national focus on commercialization, security, and international cooperation.
Delivering the National Quantum Update: Canada at Quantum World Congress 2025, Michael Rosenblatt of Innovation, Science and Economic Development (ISED) Canada outlined a year of major advances in Canada’s quantum landscape—from national strategy implementation to new defense, commercialization, and international initiatives.
“Canada is a reliable international partner, backed by world-class research, growing industry, and substantial national investment.”
Rosenblatt began by reflecting on Canada’s long history of breakthrough achievements. Canadian researchers co-developed the BB84 quantum cryptography protocol; Canada launched the world’s first commercial quantum computing company (D-Wave); and it produced the first dedicated quantum software company (1QBit) as well as the only startup to demonstrate quantum computational advantage (Xanadu). Many of these firms—along with numerous quantum communications, sensing, and computing companies—were present at QWC 2025.
Today, Canada is home to 100+ quantum companies and non-profits, ranking second globally for quantum SMEs and second for quantum computing startups. The sector employs approximately 2,600 highly qualified workers and ranks fourth in global high-impact quantum patents.
On the research side, Canada produces over half of its publications in the world’s top 10% of journals, with one-third in the top 10% of citations. Nearly all are collaborative, reflecting strong international research partnerships.
Canada’s National Quantum Strategy
Launched in 2023, Canada’s National Quantum Strategy focuses on three mission areas:
Quantum hardware & software – advancing national and global quantum capability
Quantum communications – enabling secure networks and post-quantum cryptography
Quantum sensors – supporting adoption across government and industry
Canada has completed detailed R&D roadmaps for each mission to define the capabilities, technologies, and timelines required to meet national goals.
Canada in DARPA’s Quantum Benchmarking Initiative
A major development over the last year was the strong Canadian presence in the United States’ DARPA Quantum Benchmarking Initiative (QBI). Four Canadian companies were selected:
Nord Quantique
Xanadu
Photonic
1QBit (in the HPE consortium)
Rosenblatt noted that Canada will announce a national response this fall to ensure these companies can grow within Canada’s ecosystem and remain competitive globally.
Rising Global Focus on Commercialization and Defense
Canada has seen a sharp increase in global commercialization efforts—not just domestically, but internationally. Rosenblatt also noted a renewed focus on defense and security applications, including computing, sensing, and secure communications.
As Canada moves to meet its NATO defense spending target, quantum is one of the areas expected to benefit from increased investment given its dual-use relevance. Canada recently hosted a panel with U.S. officials on quantum applications in space, defense, and security, reflecting the growing importance of this domain.
NATO Leadership: Transatlantic Quantum Community
Canada plays a leading role in NATO’s Transatlantic Quantum Community (TQC), including leadership of Work Stream One, which focuses on enabling factors for quantum deployment. Rosenblatt emphasized Canada’s close partnership with Denmark and the United Kingdom, which helped establish and guide the TQC.
Canada’s Global Partnership Network
Canada participates in one of the world’s broadest sets of quantum partnerships:
Multilateral collaborations: Multinational Dialogue on Quantum; Quantum Development Group
G7 Presidency (2025): The Kananaskis Declaration on Quantum, a G7 working group on societal implications of quantum, and new voluntary joint G7 calls for quantum research and development
Horizon Europe Pillar 2 research collaborations
NSERC bilateral calls, NRC challenge programs, and MITACS exchanges
Commercialization initiatives: Eureka, Eurostars, NRC bilateral partnerships
NATO DIANA: Participation through Canadian startup Fnor Photonics
Industry partnerships: Quantum Industry Canada’s membership in the International Council of Quantum Industry Associations (ICQIA), with partners from Japan, the U.S., the UK, and Europe
Canada also plays a role in international standards bodies such as JTC 3 and IEEE.
A Trusted Partner for Global Collaboration
Rosenblatt closed by emphasizing that Canada remains a trusted, reliable partner for global quantum development. With a growing industry, strong research foundation, deep international ties, and missions aligned to both commercialization and security, Canada expects momentum to continue through 2025 and into the coming years.