Former Campbell's Soup Plant to Become Quantum Computing Hub
AI-generated image · Bay Street Wire
The federal government is investing $195 million to help Toronto-based Xanadu Quantum Technologies build a manufacturing site in the city's west end.
A gutted Campbell's Soup factory in Toronto's west end will be transformed into an advanced manufacturing site for Xanadu Quantum Technologies, according to CBC News.
Canada's minister of artificial intelligence and digital innovation, Evan Solomon, announced $195 million in repayable federal funding for the Toronto-based firm on Friday. The investment, sourced from Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada's Strategic Response Fund, marks the federal government's largest single financial commitment to quantum technology manufacturing.
Xanadu, founded in 2016, develops quantum computers and software powered by light rather than electricity, allowing units to operate largely at room temperature. The company plans to use the 158,000-square-foot facility to manufacture fault-tolerant utility-scale photonic quantum computers. The project is expected to employ 275 workers and cost $893 million, CBC News reports.
Minister Solomon emphasized the national security implications of the technology, noting that fault-tolerant quantum computers have the capacity to break cybersecurity. He described the investment as a way for Canada to take "big swings" in a global race involving the U.S., China, and Europe.
Xanadu CEO Christian Weedbrook stated the funding would strengthen the company's presence in Canada. Weedbrook also noted that negotiations are ongoing with the province of Ontario for up to an additional $195 million in support. While expanding its Canadian footprint, Xanadu has also established U.S. partnerships with the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory, the U.S. Department of War, and private firms including AMD and Lockheed Martin.