The program, shared between the National Research Council and U.K. Research and Innovation, will back quantum-computing efforts with commercial uses, pursued by organizations in both countries. Toronto’s Xanadu is working with Rolls-Royce and Riverlane to use quantum technology to improve simulations of industrial challenges, for instance; SBQuantum of Sherbrooke, Que., and Britain’s Silicon Microgravity want to use it to survey for critical minerals. (The Logic)

Talking point: Canada and the U.K. agreed in 2017 to cooperate on science and technology, and have funded similar projects before. Canada sees quantum research as a way to stay close to Britain, a traditional ally now in a defence-technology alliance with Australia and the U.S. that doesn’t include Canada. Also on Wednesday, Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson signed an agreement with the U.K. to work together on nuclear fusion. Britain is a leader in the nascent (but potentially world-changing) energy technology, and Canada has a unique supply of tritium, a rare and critical ingredient for fusion reactions.