The B.C. government has taken its first step in building an innovation corridor in Surrey with the announcement of a new Quantum Algorithms Institute at Simon Fraser University’s Surrey campus.

With affordability and access to industrial land constraining growth in B.C.’s tech sector, the announcement builds on the government’s vision to promote the City of Surrey as a second Lower Mainland downtown.

Positioning Surrey as a hub of regional economic growth will help ease affordability pressures, while maximizing the potential of the whole economy. The Quantum Algorithms Institute is a key investment to grow the Surrey Innovation Corridor.

“Creating an innovation corridor in Surrey and up the Fraser Valley will create good jobs, attract talent, reduce commute times and raise the standard of living,” said Premier John Horgan.

“Working with our partners, we will create an innovation hub where companies and talent will cluster, supporting our goal of a strong, sustainable economy that benefits the entire province.”

The Quantum Algorithms Institute will draw on B.C.’s world-class research work and globally recognized companies and will develop a new graduate degree program in quantum computing.

This program will help secure B.C.’s talent pool in quantum computing and support technological advances that will benefit every sector of the economy.