Wednesday, November 5, 2025

IQC welcomes Canada’s strong commitment to quantum technology and talent development in Budget 2025

En francais

The Government of Canada is committing $334.3 million over five years to strengthen the Canadian quantum ecosystem and anchor the national quantum industry, outlined in the 2025 budget.

This would be a tremendous reinforcement to the country’s global position at the forefront of quantum science and technology advancement and acceleration of Canadian research, talent development and industrialization.

Additionally, the government committed close to $2 billion to recruit international researchers and scientists, including support through granting councils and research chairs. Further, it earmarked significant funding toward cybersecurity defence measures. 

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“The Institute for Quantum Computing (IQC) at the University of Waterloo welcomes Canada’s strong financial commitment in the 2025 budget to advance the country’s leadership in quantum science and technology. With vital support from government, the education sector, and philanthropy, IQC continues to strengthen Canada’s position as a global leader in quantum research and innovation, supported by outstanding talent and world-class infrastructure.” 
- Siobhan Stables, IQC managing director IQC.

This year marks 100 years since the initial development of quantum mechanics. The field is already in its second revolution and IQC is the anchor of the Waterloo quantum ecosystem and a Canadian leader in quantum research, commercialization and training. 

Our faculty members’ research groups investigate core areas of quantum communication, computing and sensing, supported by materials and devices—directly impacting updates to Canada’s national defence infrastructure and cyber security capabilities through scientific breakthroughs and productization. 

Since its founding in 2002, experimental research has been transformed into industry-ready products, theoretical breakthroughs are commercialized, and the quantum workforce is trained. 

Our faculty, post-docs, and graduate students are also productive entrepreneurs. They have launched 25 startups, through which 650 people have been employed in the Waterloo area. This number has increased approximately 10 per cent every two years since 2021, marking a significant economic contribution in Waterloo and Ontario. Today, 45 per cent of IQC research leads are involved in commercialization. 

Over the past 15 years, IQC has trained more than 3,500 people in quantum information and technology through our collaborative graduate programs in Quantum Information and our scientific programs for undergraduate and high school students, and teachers, providing hands-on experience by working alongside our members on cutting-edge theoretical and experimental quantum research. 

A man speaking on stage in front of audience in a red-tinted room

IQC Executive Director Norbert Lütkenhaus, professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, at the Year of Quantum Across Canada conference co-hosted by IQC and Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.

One scientist in the foreground and two in the background run experiments in an orange-tinted laboratory

Fabrication facilities at the Quantum-Nano Fabrication and Characterization Facility — a state-of-the-art lab where scientists and engineers build and test materials at nano scale.

A man on the left pointing at a computer screen that has dots on it and a man on the left looks at the scren

Research demonstrated a new technique to help connect quantum devices over long distances, a critical component to realizing a quantum internet. Led by Dr. Michal Bajcsy the paper was a collaboration with Dr. Michael Reimer and Dr. Kevin Resch. Research associate Dr. Rubayet Al Maruf (L) and Sreesh Venuturumilli, IQC PhD student work closely with Bajcsy, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, on quantum communications research.

a group of people talking to each other in a spacious cafeteria

Student Summer Conference poster presentation

QKD participants at the 2019 program

Students who attended IQC's 2019 Quantum Key Distribution summer school.

IQC and engineering graduate students Sarah Odinotski and Jack deGooyer speak to event attendees about their research

IQC and Faculty of Engineering graduate students Sarah Odinotski and Jack deGooyer, both Vanier scholars, are working on designing sensors capable of detecting single photons, the smallest unit of light.

Adrian Lupascu and two students in front of a blue cryostat, computer and other equipment used for superconducting experiments

Dr. Adrian Lupascu (L), IQC faculty and professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, leads the Superconducting Quantum Devices Group lab. Here pictured with IQC graduate students Noah Janzen and Sean Dougherty.

A man speaking on stage in front of audience in a red-tinted room
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IQC Executive Director Norbert Lütkenhaus, professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, at the Year of Quantum Across Canada conference co-hosted by IQC and Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.
One scientist in the foreground and two in the background run experiments in an orange-tinted laboratory
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Fabrication facilities at the Quantum-Nano Fabrication and Characterization Facility — a state-of-the-art lab where scientists and engineers build and test materials at nano scale.
A man on the left pointing at a computer screen that has dots on it and a man on the left looks at the scren
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Research demonstrated a new technique to help connect quantum devices over long distances, a critical component to realizing a quantum internet. Led by Dr. Michal Bajcsy the paper was a collaboration with Dr. Michael Reimer and Dr. Kevin Resch. Research associate Dr. Rubayet Al Maruf (L) and Sreesh Venuturumilli, IQC PhD student work closely with Bajcsy, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, on quantum communications research.
a group of people talking to each other in a spacious cafeteria
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Student Summer Conference poster presentation
QKD participants at the 2019 program
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Students who attended IQC's 2019 Quantum Key Distribution summer school.
IQC and engineering graduate students Sarah Odinotski and Jack deGooyer speak to event attendees about their research
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IQC and Faculty of Engineering graduate students Sarah Odinotski and Jack deGooyer, both Vanier scholars, are working on designing sensors capable of detecting single photons, the smallest unit of light.
Adrian Lupascu and two students in front of a blue cryostat, computer and other equipment used for superconducting experiments
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Dr. Adrian Lupascu (L), IQC faculty and professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, leads the Superconducting Quantum Devices Group lab. Here pictured with IQC graduate students Noah Janzen and Sean Dougherty.

“Through the robust theoretical and experimental work of our members, IQC is scaling talent development and advancing transformational quantum technologies today. Continued financial commitment and support from federal and provincial governments and collaboration with our national partners and stakeholders globally further advances Canada’s reputation and contributions on the global stage, ensuring that the country’s quantum discoveries and talent remain at the forefront,” Stables says. 

The budget announcement follows a reaffirmation this summer of Canada’s commitment to advancing quantum technologies. Prime Minister Carney and other leaders of the G7 nations issued the Kananaskis Common Vision for the Future of Quantum Technologies, outlining a shared strategy to accelerate quantum innovation through international collaboration, secure ecosystems, and future-ready skills. A G7 Joint Working Group on Quantum Technologies was established, bringing together industry and academia to drive progress. 

L’IQC se réjouit de l’important investissement national dans les technologies quantiques et l’éclosion des talents prévu au budget 2025

Dans son budget 2025, le gouvernement du Canada s’est engagé à investir 334,3 millions de dollars sur cinq ans pour renforcer l’écosystème canadien de la quantique et solidifier le secteur d’activité associé à l’échelle de la nation.

Cet investissement contribuera de façon significative à renforcer le rôle de leader mondial du Canada dans les sciences et technologies quantiques ainsi qu’à accélérer la recherche, la formation et l’industrialisation en la matière au pays.

De plus, le gouvernement investira près de deux milliards de dollars dans le recrutement de chercheurs et scientifiques à l’étranger, notamment en finançant les conseils subventionnaires et les chaires de recherche. Enfin, une enveloppe importante a été réservée à la cyberdéfense.

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« L’Institut d’informatique quantique (IQC) de l’Université de Waterloo se réjouit de l’investissement majeur consenti au budget 2025 pour solidifier le leadership du Canada en sciences et technologies quantiques. Grâce au soutien vital du gouvernement, du secteur de l’éducation et d’associations caritatives, l’IQC se dote d’équipes et d’infrastructures de calibre mondial pour aider le pays à briller à l’international par sa recherche et son innovation en quantique. »
– Siobhan Stables, directrice générale, IQC

Cette année marque les 100 ans de la découverte de la mécanique quantique, un domaine qui en est maintenant à sa deuxième révolution. Point d’ancrage de l’écosystème quantique à Waterloo, l’IQC est un chef de file canadien en matière de recherche, de commercialisation et de formation.

Les groupes de recherche de l’Institut utilisent divers matériaux et dispositifs pour approfondir des aspects critiques de la communication, de l’informatique et de la détection quantiques. Leurs percées scientifiques et leurs efforts de productisation influencent directement les infrastructures de défense nationale et les capacités de cybersécurité du pays.

Depuis sa fondation en 2002, l’IQC transpose la recherche expérimentale et les percées théoriques en produits commercialisés, en plus de former les talents de demain en quantique.

Ses professeurs, stagiaires postdoctoraux et étudiants des cycles supérieurs sont aussi des entrepreneurs prospères : ils ont lancé 25 entreprises, lesquelles ont employé 650 personnes dans la région. Ces chiffres augmentent d’environ 10 % tous les deux ans depuis 2021, ce qui démontre l’importance économique de l’IQC dans la région de Waterloo et en Ontario. Aujourd’hui, 45 % des chargés de recherche à l’IQC prennent part à des démarches de commercialisation.

Dans les 15 dernières années, l’établissement a formé plus de 3 500 personnes dans le cadre de ses programmes collaboratifs d’études supérieures en information quantique ainsi que ses programmes pour les étudiants de premier cycle, les élèves de secondaire et les enseignants. L’IQC offre la possibilité d’apprendre en situation concrète, par l’intégration de ses équipes de recherche sur des projets théoriques et expérimentaux à la fine pointe de la quantique.

A man speaking on stage in front of audience in a red-tinted room
One scientist in the foreground and two in the background run experiments in an orange-tinted laboratory
A man on the left pointing at a computer screen that has dots on it and a man on the left looks at the scren
a group of people talking to each other in a spacious cafeteria
QKD participants at the 2019 program
IQC and engineering graduate students Sarah Odinotski and Jack deGooyer speak to event attendees about their research
Adrian Lupascu and two students in front of a blue cryostat, computer and other equipment used for superconducting experiments
A man speaking on stage in front of audience in a red-tinted room
1 / 7
IQC Executive Director Norbert Lütkenhaus, professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, at the Year of Quantum Across Canada conference co-hosted by IQC and Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics.
One scientist in the foreground and two in the background run experiments in an orange-tinted laboratory
2 / 7
Fabrication facilities at the Quantum-Nano Fabrication and Characterization Facility — a state-of-the-art lab where scientists and engineers build and test materials at nano scale.
A man on the left pointing at a computer screen that has dots on it and a man on the left looks at the scren
3 / 7
Research demonstrated a new technique to help connect quantum devices over long distances, a critical component to realizing a quantum internet. Led by Dr. Michal Bajcsy the paper was a collaboration with Dr. Michael Reimer and Dr. Kevin Resch. Research associate Dr. Rubayet Al Maruf (L) and Sreesh Venuturumilli, IQC PhD student work closely with Bajcsy, professor in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, on quantum communications research.
a group of people talking to each other in a spacious cafeteria
4 / 7
Student Summer Conference poster presentation
QKD participants at the 2019 program
5 / 7
Students who attended IQC's 2019 Quantum Key Distribution summer school.
IQC and engineering graduate students Sarah Odinotski and Jack deGooyer speak to event attendees about their research
6 / 7
IQC and Faculty of Engineering graduate students Sarah Odinotski and Jack deGooyer, both Vanier scholars, are working on designing sensors capable of detecting single photons, the smallest unit of light.
Adrian Lupascu and two students in front of a blue cryostat, computer and other equipment used for superconducting experiments
7 / 7
Dr. Adrian Lupascu (L), IQC faculty and professor, Department of Physics and Astronomy, leads the Superconducting Quantum Devices Group lab. Here pictured with IQC graduate students Noah Janzen and Sean Dougherty.

« Grâce aux incroyables travaux théoriques et expérimentaux de ses membres, l’IQC favorise l’éclosion de talents et la recherche sur les technologies quantiques transformatrices. Soutenu et financé par les gouvernements fédéral et provincial, l’établissement collabore avec des partenaires et des parties prenantes de partout dans le monde pour faire briller le Canada sur la scène internationale et garder ses découvertes et ses talents en quantiques au premier plan », explique Siobhan Stables.

L’annonce du budget donne suite à la réaffirmation, plus tôt cet été, de l’engagement du Canada à faire progresser les technologies quantiques. Le premier ministre Carney et ses homologues du G7 ont élaboré la Vision commune de Kananaskis pour l’avenir des technologies quantiques, une stratégie conjointe pour accélérer l’innovation grâce à la collaboration internationale, à des écosystèmes sécurisés et à une main-d’œuvre parée pour l’avenir. Un groupe de travail collectif du G7, composé d’acteurs du secteur privé et du milieu universitaire, a été établi pour se pencher sur la question.