The cross-border collaboration between Canadian and U.S. semiconductor-centered R&D, prototyping, and manufacturing industries continues to focus on ways to connect to expand opportunities as C2MI (MiQro Innovation Collaborative Centre), based in Bromont, Québec, Canada, and NY CREATES, based in Albany, NY, build upon their partnership that began in early 2024.
Following the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) in April 2024, the partnership between NY CREATES and C2MI is sparking new opportunities in chips and quantum-focused research, innovation, and workforce development across borders. As part of this ongoing collaboration, the second edition of the Northeast Semiconductor Manufacturing Corridor (NSMC) event was held this year by C2MI in Bromont on October 21st and 22nd. The event brought together more than 100 participants from New York, Vermont, and Massachusetts to Quebec and Ontario, including more than 50 industry leaders, 25 R&D organizations, and more than a dozen economic development corporations, and governmental bodies, respectively.
“The collaborative momentum between the U.S. and Canada is stronger than ever,” said Marie-Josée Turgeon of C2MI. “We’re actively working to expand our cross-border efforts, aligning our expertise and infrastructure to accelerate the development of advanced semiconductor and packaging solutions. Together, C2MI and NY CREATES are creating a fertile ground for the industry to grow, innovate and collaborate.”
“By considering the talent and resources of NY CREATES’ Albany NanoTech Complex, which engages in research, development, and prototyping in areas ranging from advanced logic technologies to quantum, memory, heterogeneous integration, and more at America’s most advanced non-profit led 300mm semiconductor research center, and finding complementary R&D efforts taking place at C2MI’s impressive complex in Bromont, Quebec, we look forward to enabling innovations and related workforce development efforts to ultimately drive economic advancement for the benefit of both our nations,” said NY CREATES Associate Vice President for Business Development Frank Tolic.
Notable attendees at the 2nd NSMC event included representatives from the U.S. Trade Commission, Vermont Economic Development, Innovation, Science, and Economic Development Canada, the Government of Québec, and AMCHAM. fostering critical discussions to bolster North America’s semiconductor supply chain resilience.
“This new partnership between NY CREATES and C2MI is critical to helping the U.S. further build the semiconductor industry to strengthen our supply chains and national security, including by working with allies like Canada,” said Senator Schumer. “This partnership once again highlights Albany NanoTech’s global reach as a leader in chip R&D and workforce development, putting Upstate NY in the driver’s seat for the discoveries that the chip industry says will be pivotal to the future of this technology. I’m thrilled that the Capital Region is leading the charge to boost semiconductor innovation in North America.”
Key themes of the NSMC event included the integration of defense applications with semiconductor technology, the role of mature semiconductor nodes in driving economic growth, the empowerment of AI through advanced semiconductor hardware and the development of quantum technologies. Participants engaged in discussions on workforce development and cross-border innovation, exploring funding opportunities and strategic partnerships to shape the future of the semiconductor industry.
Strategic Partnerships Aim for Promising Results
Already, the international networking engagements are leading to meaningful R&D opportunities. For example, Nord Quantique, a scaleup company and leader in the field of quantum error correction, recently announced Memoranda of Understanding with C2MI for industrial-grade fabrication of superconducting qubits using specialized tools and with NY CREATES for scalable, predictable fabrication of qubits utilizing CMOS manufacturing tools for comprehensive testing and scale-up by Nord Quantique.
As part of this NSMC initiative, Technum Québec has reached an important milestone by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with AMCHAM Québec. The MOU strengthens ongoing efforts to improve cross-border collaboration between companies in Canada and the United States, paving the way for greater synergy and innovation across the industry.
“This partnership reflects our commitment to positioning Technum Québec as a powerhouse in the global semiconductor ecosystem. By fostering closer collaboration between Canadian and U.S. companies, we are strengthening our leadership in semiconductor technologies and enhancing our industry’s capacity for innovation,” added Normand Bourbonnais, President and CEO of Technum Québec.
These discussions are part of broader efforts by the Canadian and U.S. governments to support semiconductor manufacturing, ensuring that the Northeast Semiconductor Manufacturing Corridor remains at the forefront of technological innovation, talent and economic growth. The announcement builds on a pledge made in 2023 between the United States and Canada to work together to create a bilateral semiconductor manufacturing corridor. U.S. President Joe Biden issued the joint pledge with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reduce the two nations’ dependence on other countries for critical minerals and semiconductors.
“Semiconductors are an increasing part of our everyday lives and Canada continues to position itself as a world leader. By working closely with our North American neighbor’s, Canada is playing a leading role in the growth and resilience of the semiconductor supply chain. This is not only a question of ensuring our economic development, but also a question of national security,” said the Hon. Marie-Claude Bibeau, Minister of National Revenue and Member of Parliament for Compton-Stanstead.
“As technology progresses at a rapid pace, our federal government support for the Northeast Semiconductor Corridor is essential,” said the Hon. Pascale St-Onge, MP for Brome-Missisquoi, Minister of Canadian Heritage. “The $60 million investment, announced earlier this year, positions Bromont and our region as a center of innovation. It not only creates high-quality jobs but also fosters sustainable growth to tackle future challenges in areas such as smart vehicles, medical devices, and green solutions. This investment helps Canada establish itself as a major player in the global supply chain.”
“Our region is a key location for the manufacturing of electronic systems, both for the expertise of its workforce and the level of excellence in its industrial and academic research. I congratulate NY CREATES and C2MI for organizing this important meeting that showcases Bromont and the Brome-Missisquoi constituency on an international scale,” said Isabelle Charest, Member of the National Assembly for Brome-Missisquoi and Minister responsible for Sports, Recreation and the Outdoors.
With building momentum resulting from this successful edition of the Northeast Semiconductor Manufacturing Corridor event, exciting additional efforts are on the horizon with the aim of further enhancing North America’s leadership in semiconductor innovation and manufacturing resilience.