STATEMENT: Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre

Today, the Government of Canada announced that the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre will spin off into an independent entity - a landmark moment for Kanata, for the National Capital Region, and for Canada's position in the global semiconductor industry.

For more than two decades, the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre has been a cornerstone of our innovation ecosystem. As the only end-to-end pure-play compound semiconductor facility in North America, it has helped companies worldwide design, fabricate, and test compound semiconductor wafers - helping bring Canadian ideas to global markets. Today's announcement gives it the capital, flexibility, and agility to do that at an entirely new scale.

The timing could not be more important. The global Al market, valued at more than $250 billion USD in 2025, is projected to grow up to 35 percent annually through 2033. Photonics technologies sit at the heart of that growth - powering Al data centres, quantum information processing, fibre optics, medical imaging, defence systems, and advanced communications.

Canadian companies are already at the forefront of this sector. This move ensures they have access to world-class fabrication facilities to compete and win - right here at home.

I want to take a moment to recognize the extraordinary leadership that made this announcement possible. A special thank you to Kelly Daize, Executive Director at KNBA, for her outstanding work leading the steering group that has helped catalyze this effort. I also want to acknowledge the incredible industry champions who invested their time, expertise, and vision:

Joe Costello from Inpho, Hamid Arabzadeh from Ranovus, Dino DiPerna from Ciena, Andy Thompson from Nokia, Terry Matthews, Cyril McKelvie from Jabil, and many others whose contributions have been equally invaluable.

This announcement reflects decades of deep innovation - from Bell Northern Research and Nortel to the globally competitive companies thriving in this community today. The foundation has long been in place. Today, we have given it the structure to reach its full potential. It is a testament to what is possible when government, industry, and community come together with a shared vision.

I am honoured to represent Kanata at this pivotal moment and look forward to continuing to champion the National Capital Region's role in Canada's semiconductor future.