Quebec’s industry
With a wealth of small and medium-sized enterprises and a critical mass of research centres and universities, Quebec’s photonics ecosystem contributes to the progress of many fields of application.
Quebec’s photonics industry offers remarkable resources and advantages: world-class research centres, diverse companies operating internationally, a skilled workforce, internationally recognized know-how, and several assistance programs to support your projects.
Key Figures
Key Figures
The photonics ecosystem relies on cross-sectoral partnerships and collaborative innovation among all its actors (researchers, industry, academia, and government institutions). Innovative companies and research institutions collaborate in the development of cutting-edge products and technologies that are integrated into a multitude of application areas. The products and services developed in photonics in Quebec are recognized internationally for being at the technological forefront and for their exceptional quality.
In addition to working in many sub-sectors (vision, imaging, instrumentation, sensors, etc.), Quebec photonics companies serve on average more than three different application areas. This diversification, due to the cross-cutting and enabling nature of photonics, is a major advantage in a context of economic globalization.
3+billion
Dollars in GDP
220+
Companies
22,000+
Employees
92%
Export rate
Major contractors present in Quebec
History of Quebec Photonics
Timeline
Creation of Optonique
Creation of Optonique, resulting from the great merger of the Réseau photonique du Québec (RPQ) and Cercle de l’industrie en optique-photonique (CIOP).
Creation of Réseau photonique du Québec (RPQ)
Creation of Réseau photonique du Québec (RPQ) resulting from the merger of two regional groups: Groupe Optique-Photonique Québec (GOPQ) and Réseau photonique de Montréal (RPM).
1989
Creation of the Centre d’optique, photonique et laser (COPL), the second pillar of the industry, founded by Université Laval. Its objective is to support researchers in photonics and to train graduate students in physics. Today, the COPL brings together researchers from Université Laval, but also from Polytechnique Montréal, the Université de Sherbrooke, the École de technologie supérieure, the Institut national de la recherche scientifique, McGill University, the Université du Québec à Montréal and Concordia University.
1985
Creation of INO, a leader in technology transfer and spin-offs. INO is recognized for its active participation in the sector, notably with its new spin-off companies (Optel Vision, TeraXion, Coractive, Fiso, etc.), which themselves employ COPL graduate students.
Late 1960s
Dr. Jacques A. Beaulieu invents the high-power transverse-excitation atmospheric pressure gas laser, known as CO2-TEA. This invention marks a decisive moment in the history of Quebec photonics.
1947
The Department of National Defence creates the Defence Research and Development Canada (DRDC-Valcartier) centre.