Federal government commits $20.3 million to quantum defence hub at University of Calgary

The federal government is investing $20.3 million over two years to establish a Quantum Defence Innovation Secure Hub at the University of Calgary, positioning Canada as a leader in quantum technologies for military and security applications.

Defence Minister David J. McGuinty announced the commitment Thursday morning at the university's Energy Environment Experiential Learning Building. The hub will focus on quantum sensing, communications, algorithms and hardware — technologies that will transform navigation when GPS is denied, communications when networks are contested, and sensing when adversaries seek to remain invisible.

"Countries that lead in quantum will help shape the next generation of military capability," McGuinty said. "They will strengthen economic resilience, drive scientific discovery, create industries that will define the decades ahead. It's coming at us at breakneck speed. Canada intends to be one of those countries."

These hubs are secure environments where government, industry and academics work together to solve technological challenges in the defence sector. The announcement follows the opening of the Uncrewed Systems Defence Innovation Secure Hub in Mirabel, Quebec last month, and the pilot Maritime Defence Innovation Secure Hub in Nova Scotia last year.

Since 2020, 130 faculty at the University of Calgary have led over 1,100 defence-aligned research projects in fields including Arctic security, autonomous systems, secure communications, and health diagnostics and combat casualty care. The university has filed 152 patents for defence-related innovations and spawned nine major startup formations in the defence tech sector. It also houses the Canadian Centre for Military Security and Strategic studies, the Arctic Institute of North America, and maintains a strong relationship with The Military Museums of Calgary.

Alberta Minister of Jobs, Economy, Trade and Immigration Joseph Schow said the commitment reflects the province's role in strengthening Canada's defence capabilities. "We have a skilled, innovative workforce with great world-class post-secondary institutions ready and able to partner with the government and others on defense research," he said.