Quantum Days 2026 Call to Action

CALL TO ACTION

This unified vision is brought to you by the partners of Quantum Days, the organizations that lead, shape, and make this national event possible. From coast to coast, Quantum Days 2026 convened the country’s top institutions, researchers, innovators, and policymakers to chart the path forward for quantum science and technology. As a truly pan-Canadian initiative, this Call to Action captures the shared insights, priorities, and ambitions of a community working together to advance quantum in Canada and amplify its global impact. It is both a roadmap and a rallying cry, an expression of our collective determination to ensure Canada continues to lead in shaping the quantum future.

Brought to you by: Deep Tech Canada, L’Institut quantique de l’Université de Sherbrooke, Centre for Quantum Information and Quantum Control – University of Toronto, Stewart Blusson Quantum Matter Institute – University of British Columbia, Centre for Quantum Topology and Its Applications (quanTA) – University of Saskatchewan, and Quantum City – University of Calgary.

INTRODUCTION

Quantum Days 2026 marks the sixth edition of Canada’s flagship quantum science and technology conference, bringing together researchers, students, industry leaders, policymakers, and investors. Since 2021, Quantum Days has served as a platform to showcase breakthroughs, connect key players, and advance Canada’s quantum ecosystem.

This year’s program featured discussions on the latest research, emerging industry applications, national strategy and dual-use technologies, workforce development, and public policy. Sessions explored how Canada can build on its strengths in quantum science, technology, and talent while addressing key challenges such as scaling companies, securing investment, and developing a robust quantum-ready workforce.

Canada’s National Quantum Strategy is increasingly aligned with evolving defence priorities, particularly in the advancement of dual-use technologies and the need to secure sovereign supply chains. As a result, ensuring Canada’s continued leadership requires sustained funding and collaboration between academia, industry, and government. The insights shared at Quantum Days 2026 provide a foundation for future action, and this call-to-action outlines tangible next steps to drive meaningful progress.

INSIGHTS

As Canada builds on its quantum strategy, several key priorities were identified:

Research: It will be essential to maintain excellence in quantum science and technology as it will support the development of applications and economic outcomes.

Integration: Quantum technologies are emerging in the market, and many more are approaching commercial readiness. Focus is needed on integrating quantum technologies with existing platforms, creating hybrid systems that will bridge the computing needs, and supporting commercial validation through demonstration projects.

De-risking: Successfully scaling quantum technologies will require new ideas or approaches that can emerge from industry and academia collaborating on tractable problems.

Sovereignty: Rising geopolitical tensions has accelerated the crafting of a national defense strategy that leverages Canada’s strengths in quantum, advanced materials and AI. The quantum ecosystem must accelerate the building of sovereign value and supply chains.

Literacy: Clear, accessible communication about quantum technologies is essential to engage policy and decision makers, regulators, investors, early adopters, and end-users. Industries should prepare now for the impact of quantum technologies on their businesses.

Learning: Canada has world-class training in quantum science and technology within its knowledge institutions. In addition to technical skills, employers are looking for talent with strong communication skills that span interpersonal engagement and the ability to translate complex scientific ideas. Re-skilling must also be prioritized to keep Canadian companies competitive amid rapid advancements.

CALL TO ACTION

To maintain Canada’s leadership in quantum science and technology, strategic actions must be taken to retain talent, invest in Canadian SMEs, and grow anchor companies. The evolving landscape of quantum technologies will be shaped by industry needs, sovereign technological capabilities, and collaborative actions.

Key Actions to Drive Impact:

Incentivize the integration of quantum technologies into existing technology platforms and infrastructure to accelerate commercialisation.
Incentivize the growth of anchor companies in Canada to create dense ecosystems with local supply chains.
Through Canada’s Defense strategy, create safe sandboxes for collaborative innovation with trusted partners to de-risk and fast-track commercialisation of dual-use quantum technologies in Canada.
Invest in pilot infrastructure and scale-up funding to bridge the gap between research breakthroughs and commercial deployment, particularly for capital-intensive quantum technologies. Building accessible quantum infrastructure/facilities would support commercialisation.
Strengthen investment in fundamental quantum research to sustain long-term innovation as there are still persistent knowledge gaps to enabling quantum solutions.
Provide Canadian industry leadership in standards development to ensure Canadian quantum innovations align with one another and with global market requirements.
Transform government procurement policies to enable testbeds for Canadian quantum innovations, reducing risk and driving adoption.
Establish manufacturing capabilities for quantum technologies to ensure Canada’s technological sovereignty.
Support ecosystem builders who lead through measurable, timely, and collaborative practical outcomes and support commercialization pathways to the quantum future.
Enable the protection and retention of Canadian Intellectual Property and enable policies that strengthen research security and data management.

For a recap of the event, click here.