Industry Committee on April 5th, 2022

[Dr. Shohini Ghose]

Yes, I want to agree with Professor Hall. Just adding to Alliance and CREATE and these existing NSERC programs would actually be business as usual. There is no evidence that these programs in the past have really led to including everybody who wants to contribute to this field to be able to.

I think there has to be a rethinking, a reframing, to build something that doesn't exist right now and also doesn't exist, actually, in any of these other countries, in terms of programs that really can tap into all of the potential out there. That needs some research and bringing in people around these kinds of conversations, advisers, who can talk about how to build a program that truly is inclusive. There are examples in other areas but not yet in quantum.

[Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Liberal, Beaches—East York, ON]

Thank you.

Ms. Ippersiel, do you have a view of how the government can best allocate $360 million via the national strategy?

[Marie-Pierre Ippersiel]

I agree with what Professor Hall and Professor Ghose both said.

Of course, research is important, but the funding has to be balanced between basic research—an essential phase whose benefits do not emerge until much later—and applied research. Support for applied research is needed. It's important to make sure that issues around the adoption of quantum technologies are addressed. At the end of the day, the technology won't matter without users.

Support for the ecosystem as a whole is another key consideration. Ecosystem refers to the research community, companies, young start-ups, small and medium-sized businesses, investors, and potential users, which can be major clients.

Mr. Gagnon‑Gordillo brought up the BDC and the deep tech venture fund. It's also important to support everything having to do with cutting-edge equipment.

Is the $360 million enough? When you look at what's happening elsewhere, I don't think so.

The last the thing I would draw your attention to is intellectual property. We need to find a way to effectively support intellectual property, so that research developed here can be patented and stay in the country.

[Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Liberal, Beaches—East York, ON]

Thank you.

With the remaining time, the same question is for Mr. Gagnon-Gordillo. You were nodding your head with regard to entrepreneurship and supporting start-ups.

Could you speak to how the $360 million can be best allocated in that space?

[Olivier Gagnon-Gordillo]

There are a lot of funds that are also outside of that $360 million, but it's just all for research. Beyond the research, if you want to develop the ecosystem to have companies stay in Canada, there's a lot that needs to be done in terms of tech transfers and making sure there's an adoption of quantum tech in companies.

We have strong industrial sectors in Canada. Why don't we go with those strong industrial sectors? There are some that are different depending on the different provinces. In Quebec, we've identified five specific industries. We want to tackle those five industries. It's then just a matter of finding one, two, or three champions and building from there.

This could be done with all of the provinces. Working with them, we could find those early adopters that could become champions. They could then lead the way in the adoption of quantum tech, and fund those projects.

[Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Liberal, Beaches—East York, ON]

I'm out of time, but it would be unfair, Dr. Brassard, to not give you an opportunity, if you have something to add.

[Dr. Gilles Brassard]

Thank you. I agree with all that was said, and I don't really have much to add.

[Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Liberal, Beaches—East York, ON]

Thank you.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

Thank you.

[Dr. Gilles Brassard]

Except that I agree there's not enough money, but it's a good start.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

The witnesses have witnessed how little authority I have over time management at this committee.

I want to thank you all. This was our last meeting with witnesses, and it was a really enlightening one. It's going to help us raise awareness about quantum computing in the months ahead.

[Bernard Généreux, Conservative, Montmagny—L'Islet—Kamouraska—Rivière-du-Loup, QC]

Mr. Chair, I have one last question for Mr. Brassard.

Mr. Brassard, is teleportation technology available somewhere? Did you invent it?

[Dr. Gilles Brassard]

Not yet. It's going to be a while.

[The Chair, Liberal, Joël Lightbound]

If someone does invent it, that person will probably be you, Mr. Brassard. Thank you for appearing before the committee today.

Have a good rest of the afternoon.

Thank you to the witnesses and the committee members.

The meeting is adjourned.