“Light, tight, right” regulation: Minister Evan Solomon unpacks how Canada plans to support domestic AI and quantum computing

Source: Josh Scott | · BETAKIT · | June 25, 2025

Solomon says Canada must keep quantum industry and IP in Canada at CDL Super Session talk.

During a private CEO lunch yesterday at Creative Destruction Lab (CDL) Super Session, Minister of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Digital Innovation Evan Solomon said the Government of Canada plans to provide more targeted support to the country’s AI and quantum computing companies.

“We can’t run a sprinkler system on innovation,” Solomon argued, eliciting applause from a room full of Canadian technology leaders. “We need to be competitive on the world stage.” To do that, Solomon said Canada needs to “champion” its AI winners and help them grow.

“AI is not fashion. It is not FOMO. It is a necessity to grow.”

At Toronto Tech Week, Solomon has been sharing more insight into how the Liberals plan to regulate and support the country’s AI and quantum sectors. He unpacked that vision in greater detail at CDL and in a follow-up interview with BetaKit.

Solomon’s tour continued today. At MaRS Discovery District, he announced that applications for the $300-million CAD AI Compute Access Fund (part of the $2-billion package the previous Liberal government committed to expanding Canadian businesses’ access to AI computing power) are now open. At the Vector Institute, Solomon disclosed that the feds are investing $3.5 million to help Vector deliver a healthcare AI initiative that will provide startups and scaleups with training, mentorship, and other support.