Ottawa pumps $195 million into quantum manufacturing by Xanadu

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Photo by Galit Rodan/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesThe federal government is investing $195 million in Toronto-based Xanadu Quantum Technologies Inc.’s advanced manufacturing facilities to help it build a quantum data centre and boost Canada’s cutting-edge technology supply chain, Ottawa announced on Friday.THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLYSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman, and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESSubscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.Exclusive articles from Barbara Shecter, Joe O'Connor, Gabriel Friedman and others.Daily content from Financial Times, the world's leading global business publication.Unlimited online access to read articles from Financial Post, National Post and 15 news sites across Canada with one account.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword.REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLESCreate an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountThe $195 million is the largest-ever government investment in Canadian quantum manufacturing. The funds will come from Canada’s Strategic Response Fund, which supports large-scale projects in artificial intelligence and advanced technologies and will be administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada.“Quantum technology represents a significant opportunity for Canada’s economy and sovereignty,” Industry Minister Mélanie Joly said in a statement on Friday.Get the latest headlines, breaking news and columns.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of Top Stories will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“By supporting advanced manufacturing here at home, the government of Canada is aiding in reducing our dependence on foreign suppliers, while building the skilled workforce and research partnerships needed to compete globally,” she said.The federal investment in Xanadu will strengthen Canada’s position in quantum, a technology that is poised to shape the future of computing, AI and cybersecurity, AI Minister Evan Solomon said in the statement.Xanadu will use the government funds to build launch a 158,000-square-foot manufacturing and research and development facility named Inception. The plant will be designed to produce, package and assemble the photonic hardware that will make up its quantum data centre and can also be used in AI hardware, telecommunications and sensing technologies. The first phase of the facility is set to be completed by mid-2027 with additional capabilities coming online over the next five years.What sets the facility apart is its scale and function, said Xanadu founder and chief executive Christian Weedbrook.“A few Canadian facilities work in photonic packaging and fabrication across Canada but they are operating at a different scale,” he said. “When Inception is fully built out, it’s expected to be the largest commercial-scale photonics manufacturing facility of its kind in Canada” and among a handful in the world.The ability to carry out large-scale photonic manufacturing will help Xanadu scale its hardware production to build out its quantum data centre — which Weedbrook wants to complete by 2030 — and also enable it to tap potential clients from other sectors.“Our track record points to the kinds of industries that quantum will touch,” Weedbrook said, noting that the company has already worked with international companies such as Mitsubishi Chemical Corp. Group and Corning Inc., defence and aerospace giant Lockheed Martin Corp. and semiconductor titan Advanced Micro Devices Inc.This advertisement has not loaded yet.This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.Weedbrook said that the new government investment signals Ottawa’s confidence in the future of quantum computing in Canada and Xanadu’s efforts to build a large-scale quantum data centre in Toronto that he estimates will cost US$1 billion.“We’ve said that building our first quantum data centre will require more capital, and this funding helps lay the manufacturing foundation to get there,” he said.Founded in 2016, Xanadu went public in March. Weedbrook said the company will continue to draw on government funds, private capital and revenue to fund its data centre ambitions.We apologize, but this video has failed to load.Notice for the Postmedia NetworkThis website uses cookies to personalize your content (including ads), and allows us to analyze our traffic. Read more about cookies here. By continuing to use our site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.