Latvia and Canada Strengthen Cooperation in Quantum and Other Emerging Technologies
The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia and the Economic Development Department of Sherbrooke, Canada, have signed a three-year cooperation agreement. It will link Latvian companies and researchers with a quantum technology ecosystem in Quebec.
The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) and the Economic Development Department of the city of Sherbrooke, in Canada's Quebec province, have signed a three-year cooperation agreement. It aims to connect Latvian companies and research organisations with one of Canada's most significant quantum technology ecosystems, and to support technology commercialisation, exports, investment attraction and joint projects.
The cooperation will cover quantum technologies, artificial intelligence and other deep technologies, information and communication technologies, smart manufacturing, clean technologies, as well as dual-use, defence and security solutions.
Why Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke is one of Canada's quantum technology hubs. The city hosts a quantum innovation zone officially recognised by the Quebec government, where University of Sherbrooke researchers, technology firms, start-ups, investors and specialised laboratories work together. LIAA director Ieva Jāgere says Latvia has strong scientists and internationally recognised expertise in quantum algorithms, sensors, communications and nanoelectronics, and that working with Sherbrooke opens opportunities to commercialise technologies and reach the North American market.
What the agreement provides
The sides will build business contacts, connect companies with potential investors and partners, and develop joint research projects, pilot projects and technology testing initiatives. Specific projects will be chosen according to the interests of both parties and the companies involved.
Cooperation between LIAA's representative office in Canada and Sherbrooke's department began in spring 2025. Sherbrooke representatives visited Latvia in 2025 and 2026 and took part in the "TechChill" and "Deep Tech Atelier" conferences. A Latvian delegation, in turn, visited Sherbrooke at the end of September and attended the "ALL IN" artificial intelligence conference in Montreal. It included MIC, "UniLab", "MILA" and AI companies "Asya", "MyWisy", Mitigate and "VOZOROM".
Ilze Lācgalve, head of LIAA's representative office in Canada, stresses that the next step is concrete joint projects. Stephen Cabana, acting director of Sherbrooke's Economic Development Department, says it is time to move from getting acquainted to taking action.
