Leading Industry Groups Come Together To Form SILICAN

June 19, 2023

OTTAWA, CANADA – Today, Canada’s leading semiconductor industry experts and organizations announced that they are coming together under one banner, in a working group called SILICAN — the Semiconductor Industry Leadership and Innovation Canada Action Network.

SILICAN will bring together the Council of Canadian Innovators, CMC Microsystems, Optonique, ISEQ, the Alliance for Semiconductor Innovation, Canada’s Semiconductor Council, the U15 Group of Canadian Research Universities, and the Canadian Innovation Network. SILICAN will work with federal and provincial governments, to advocate for semiconductor industry priorities, and co-develop a made-in-Canada action plan for strategic leadership in the global semiconductor value chain.

“Canada can play a key role in the future of the global semiconductor industry,” said Benjamin Bergen, President of the Council of Canadian Innovators, one of the founding SILICAN partner organizations. “As key parts of the global semiconductor industry return to North America, Canada has a tremendous opportunity to grow strong, globally competitive companies and become an attractive investment destination at every step in the semiconductor value chain, from materials, design and research, fabrication and advanced packaging, and make Canada’s supply chains more secure.”

SILICAN member organizations are committed to working collaboratively with federal and provincial governments to drive growth and investment in our national semiconductor industry.

“Semiconductors are a critical technology, used by virtually all advanced industries as inputs, and they are only becoming more important as technology advances,” said Gordon Harling, President and CEO of CMC Microsystems. “Canada has already made important investments in cleantech, AI, quantum computing and other sectors that all rely on bespoke semiconductors for their success. Strengthening Canada as a semiconductor player complements those existing commitments, as well as those in critical minerals.”

SILICAN will hold a kickoff event this summer, bringing together government and industry partners.

“Canada needs to be smart and work with North American partners to plan our growth in key parts of the industry, by making smart investments, ensuring access to top talent, and recognizing the importance of Canadian-owned IP as the foundation for growing domestic tech businesses,” said Madison Rilling, Executive Director of Optonique.

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Additional Quotes

“As the national voice representing the semiconductor industry, Canada’s Semiconductor Council is pleased to be working alongside equally dedicated organizations to elevate Canada’s leadership in this sector. The semiconductor sector is an engine for Canadian economic growth and a key enabler of other industry sectors. This is an urgent opportunity for Canada to become a leader in the global semiconductor industry and supply chain, attract global investment, and foster a thriving domestic ecosystem for our Canadian companies and talent to grow, scale and thrive.” – Dr. C. Paul Slaby, Managing Director, Canada’s Semiconductor Council

“Canada’s research-intensive universities develop the highly qualified talent Canada will need to grow a globally competitive semiconductor industry. We’re excited to be partnering with leading industry experts and government to help ensure Canada’s success in this key sector.” – Chad Gaffield, CEO of U15.

Media Contact

James McLeod

Director of Communications, CCI

jmcleod@canadianinnovators.org