QAI CEO on the G7’s Quantum Priorities
Official Statement from Louise Turner, CEO of QAI
A New Era for Quantum in Canada
June 2025 saw major changes in the significance of quantum technologies in Canada's national and international economic, trade and defense strategies.
G7
On 7 June, quantum was designated as a core priority for Canada's G7 Leaders' Summit, flagging the potential for quantum to "unleash economic growth" as G7 nations collaborate to "accelerate the digital transition".
At the conclusion of the Summit on 17 June, the G7 Leaders issued a Common Vision for the Future of Quantum Technologies, noting the potential for quantum "to bring significant and transformative benefits to societies worldwide" and setting out an agenda for international collaboration to "mobilize investments and optimize resources; advance research and commercialization; secure supply chains; facilitate access to infrastructure, talent and markets; align adoption with shared interests and values; and create a trusted ecosystem to manage risks and unleash innovation". The G7 Leaders also created a Joint Working Group on Quantum Technologies to drive collaboration on this agenda.
EU
On 23 June, Prime Minister Carney met with leaders of the European Union (EU), reinforcing "the strategic partnership between the EU and Canada". The Joint Statement issued at the conclusion of the Summit included "collaboration on digital and tech policy issues and bolstering the bilateral digital trade relationship". At a practical level, the Statement set out a commitment to "link [EU & Canadian] high-performance computing infrastructure" and cited quantum as a "strategic technology area" where research cooperation will be deepened.
NATO
On 9 June, the Canadian government announced that it is "rebuilding, rearming and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces", increasing Canada's NATO investment to 2% of annual GDP in 2025-26 — an investment of over $9 billion. Some of this increased funding will be spent on "building capacity in quantum". This intent was further reinforced in the 25 June NATO Hague Summit commitment for members to increase their NATO investments to 5% of GDP by 2035.
All of these new commitments signal the Canadian government's strong interest in the importance and sovereign nature of quantum technologies, research, commercial products and services and military applications. They also represent opportunities to reinforce the research, technical and commercial leadership of quantum experts in BC and Canada.