Article – I’ve just returned from Helsinki, where Finnish officials and I huddled in a sparse, sunlit meeting room overlooking the Baltic Sea. The mood was focused but optimistic as Finland charted its technological future in a dramatically altered European security landscape.
“The world has changed, and Finland must adapt,” explained Mika Lintilä, Finland’s Minister of Economic Affairs, as we discussed the country’s new quantum technology initiative. Our conversation repeatedly returned to the shadow cast by Russia’s actions in Ukraine and Finland’s historic NATO accession last year.
Finland has identified quantum technology and defense cooperation as cornerstone priorities in its refreshed national strategy, viewing partnerships with like-minded democracies as essential. Canada has emerged as a surprisingly central player in this vision.
The Finnish government recently announced it will redirect significant resources toward quantum computing research, pledging €150 million over five years—a substantial commitment for a nation of just 5.5 million people. This investment parallels Canada’s own National Quantum Strategy, which allocated C$360 million in 2021 to position Canada among global leaders in quantum innovation.
“We see strong alignment with Canadian capabilities,” noted Petri Peltonen, Under-Secretary of State at Finland’s Ministry of Economic Affairs and Employment. “Our countries share arctic expertise, democratic values, and now increasingly, technological cooperation frameworks.”
What makes this partnership particularly noteworthy is its focus on security applications. Both countries view quantum computing as more than an economic opportunity—it represents a strategic asset in an increasingly contested technological landscape.
In conversations with researchers at VTT Technical Research Centre of Finland, I learned how quantum technology could revolutionize secure communications, potentially creating unhackable channels that would fundamentally alter the cybersecurity paradigm. “The nation that masters quantum encryption gains tremendous security advantages,” explained Dr. Sonja Nieminen, a quantum physicist at VTT.
The Finland-Canada quantum corridor has already produced tangible results. Last month, IQM Finland and Canada’s D-Wave Systems announced a joint quantum computing initiative for defense applications. Meanwhile, Finland’s Nokia and Canada’s Xanadu are collaborating on quantum-secure telecommunications infrastructure.
Walking through Helsinki’s harbor district, where tech startups have revitalized former industrial spaces, I spoke with entrepreneurs eager to access Canadian talent. “The quantum physics program at Waterloo is legendary here,” said Mikko Jarvinen, founder of Quanscient, a quantum algorithm startup. “We’re actively recruiting Canadian PhDs.”
For Canada, the partnership offers market access and strategic positioning. The European Commission has identified quantum computing as a critical technology in its Digital Compass strategy, with planned investments exceeding €20 billion. Through Finland, Canadian firms gain an entry point to these programs.
But economic considerations tell only part of the story. Finland’s newfound NATO membership has accelerated security cooperation with Canada, which had already deepened through Operation REASSURANCE in Latvia.
“Finland brings world-class capabilities in cyber resilience and hybrid threat response,” explained Canadian Ambassador to Finland, David McKinnon, during our meeting at Canada House in Helsinki. “These are areas where Canada seeks to strengthen its own capacities.”
The synergy extends to critical minerals needed for advanced technologies. Finland possesses significant cobalt and nickel deposits, while Canada has substantial reserves of rare earth elements. Both countries have expressed concern about overreliance on Chinese-controlled supply chains for these strategic resources.
The Government of Finland’s research organization VTT has established direct partnerships with the National Research Council Canada, focusing on quantum sensors capable of detecting minute electromagnetic signals—technology with obvious defense applications.
“We’re not just building economic ties,” emphasized Dr. Jussi Rahkonen of Business Finland. “We’re creating technological resilience among democracies that share values and security concerns.”
Emerging from my meeting with Finnish quantum scientists, I couldn’t help but notice the symbolism of our surroundings—Helsinki sits just 300 kilometers from St. Petersburg. The geopolitical context for this technological partnership couldn’t be clearer.
Canadian officials I contacted emphasized the relationship’s strategic importance. “Finland represents a like-minded partner with complementary capabilities in a crucial geographic position,” noted a Global Affairs Canada representative, speaking on background.
As I prepared to leave Finland, navigating icy sidewalks beneath the Nordic winter sun, it struck me how rapidly the technological landscape is evolving alongside geopolitical realignments. The Finland-Canada quantum partnership represents more than scientific cooperation—it signals a reshaping of technological alliances among democracies in response to new security realities.
“Quantum technology isn’t just about computing power,” Finland’s Lintilä told me as we concluded our interview. “It’s about sovereignty in the digital age.”
