CWQA 2026 Brings Together Canada’s Quantum Algorithms Community in Montreal

From April 27 to 30, 2026, the Canadian Workshop on Quantum Algorithms (CWQA 2026) brought together more than 90 participants from across the country in Montreal, representing 20 universities and research centers as well as a dozen key players in the quantum industry.

Organized by the Quantum Algorithmic Alliance (AAQ) and hosted by IVADO, the event aimed to strengthen national ties, support the next generation of researchers, and foster new collaborations. Through its program, CWQA 2026 also highlighted a broader ambition: to advance quantum algorithms, from fundamental theory to applications that deliver a quantum advantage.

IVADO is very pleased to have hosted this first edition. The strong participation of researchers from the Quebec and Canadian ecosystems demonstrates the enthusiasm surrounding the development of quantum algorithms and their applications.

Luc Vinet, CEO of IVADO.

Four days of training, discussions, and science

The program kicked off with a day of tutorials for students, followed by three days of lectures, breakout sessions and presentations. The program covered several key topics in the field, including quantum error correction, fault-tolerant quantum computing, quantum simulation, quantum learning, and scientific computing.

It was a pleasure to welcome our keynote speakers Bill Fefferman (University of Chicago), Nathan Wiebe (University of Toronto), Peter Love (Tufts University), and Sergei Bravyi (IBM) to Québec’s quantum algorithms corridor — connecting Montréal’s IVADO and École de technologie supérieure to Sherbrooke’s Institut quantique de l'Université de Sherbrooke, with Bromont at its centre as a gateway to quantum infrastructure through PINQ². This corridor brings together the talent and infrastructure needed for an ambitious mission to realize quantum advantage, and CWQA creates the space to turn this momentum into a pan-Canadian effort.

Jacob Biamonte, Professor and Director of the Institute of Quantum Science and Engineering at ÉTS.

In addition to keynote speeches, project presentations, and a poster session, lightning talks and an unconference session further enriched the program and provided additional opportunities for dialogue among students, the research community, and industry partners.

An event organized by QAA

CWQA 2026 is a direct extension of QAA’s initiatives. Launched in September 2024 by the Institut quantique at the Université de Sherbrooke, ÉTS, and IVADO, the Alliance’s mission is to advance collaborative research in quantum algorithms, contribute to the training of highly qualified personnel, and increase research capacity in Quebec and Canada through closer collaboration between the academic, industrial, and government sectors.

This vision is well reflected in this workshop. Beyond sharing scientific results, CWQA 2026 provided a space to discuss the field’s priorities, identify avenues for collaboration, and foster a collective vision for the development of quantum algorithms on a national scale.

The Alliance was born out of a shared desire to bring together the complementary strengths of Quebec and Canada around a rapidly evolving strategic field. By strengthening ties between universities, research infrastructures, and industry partners, we are equipping ourselves to advance transformative collaborations. CWQA is a unique initiative that stems from this collective effort.

Christian Sarra-Bournet, Executive Director of the Institut quantique at UdeS.

The Alliance would like to highlight the vital contribution of the sponsors—NRC, IBM Quantum, Xanadu, Quandela, PINQ2, Pasqal, Nord Quantique, and Calcul Québec—whose support for CWQA 2026 helped create an environment conducive to scientific exchange, training, and networking, and made this edition a landmark event for Canada’s quantum ecosystem.