Alberta’s government is providing $23 million for the development of Quantum City at the University of Calgary in a strategic partnership with the University of Alberta and University of Lethbridge.
Quantum City will build on the incredible momentum in Alberta’s technology sector by accelerating the development, application, and uptake of Alberta-grown quantum technologies.
“Alberta’s tech sector is one of the fastest growing in the world, and that is thanks to the ingenuity, know-how and hard work of Alberta’s innovators and job creators. With this new support, the University of Calgary and its partners will play a key role in making Alberta a world-renowned technology and innovation hub – diversifying our economy today to create more jobs tomorrow.”
“Alberta is poised for growth in the quantum technologies space. With this investment in Quantum City, Alberta’s innovators will have the support they need to develop products and solutions to solve global challenges. This investment will support businesses that can transform industries for the future, diversify our economy and support good-paying jobs for Albertans.”
The technology and innovation sector in Alberta continues to grow, with venture capital investment hitting record highs and the number of tech companies expanding rapidly. Alberta’s Technology and Innovation Strategy aims to keep that momentum going and help create 20,000 new jobs and $5 billion more in annual revenue by 2030.
This growth is crucial for the diversification of Alberta’s economy, a key pillar of Alberta’s Recovery Plan. Diversification makes the economy stronger and also opens new opportunities for Albertans. As part of that diversification, Alberta’s technology and innovation sector is offering thousands of jobs across the province.
Quantum City will help to develop the talent needed to fill those roles, further diversifying Alberta’s economy and creating new solutions that will benefit the world.
“I wish to thank the province for supporting this innovative new venture at UCalgary that will benefit our city and our province. With Quantum City, we’re starting something big. This science will change everything. From nanotechnology and artificial intelligence — to quantum internet and biomedical engineering – UCalgary is establishing our city as a global leader in the quantum revolution.”
The use of new quantum technologies and applications has the potential to offer solutions across sectors, including in energy and mining, autonomous navigation, medical imaging and diagnostics, cyber security, and quantum computing. Quantum City will enhance regional capacity and infrastructure to fast-track these new technologies, develop skills and talent, and attract additional anchor companies interested in commercializing quantum technologies in the province.
“The U of A houses world-leading expertise in quantum research and technology, including areas with immediate commercial potential like quantum sensing. The Quantum City partnership accelerates research and its potential to revolutionize industries and create thousands of jobs across Alberta and Canada.”
“The University of Lethbridge is home to some of Canada’s leading quantum technologies researchers. Investments like these are critical in positioning Alberta’s economy for the future, bringing together expertise from across the province.”
The investment from the Government of Alberta builds on additional investments for Quantum City from the University of Calgary and its partners, including Mphasis – a multinational tech company that has set up and opened its Canadian headquarters in Calgary.
According to a study commissioned by National Research Council of Canada, the quantum science and technology sector is estimated to create 209,200 jobs across Canada by 2045. Quantum City will be a key contributor to growing this sector in Canada and positioning Alberta to be a leader in developing quantum technologies as they become mainstream.
“We are excited to partner with the University of Calgary and the Government of Alberta on Quantum City. The Quantum Computing lab at UCalgary aligns with our area of focus and will further bolster the tech transformation journey of our Fortune 500 clients. Together we aim to strengthen Calgary’s position as a global technology hub by driving research and innovation locally, and generating next-gen technology talent to meet the skill demand of the region.”
Advancing quantum technologies is a key objective of the Alberta Technology and Innovation Strategy and Alberta at Work initiative.
This investment under the Alberta Technology and Innovation Strategy builds on several technology and innovation supports already rolled out as part of Alberta’s Recovery Plan, including the Innovation Employment Grant, the recapitalization of the Alberta Enterprise Corporation, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program Accelerated Tech Pathway, and the launch of the Scale-up and Growth Accelerator Program by Alberta Innovates.
