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National Post

G7 Representatives Gather in Markham and Toronto to Strengthen Global Semiconductor Partnerships

Article content MARKHAM, Ontario — Representatives from G7 nations convened in Markham and Toronto on June 3 to discuss international collaboration and priorities for the future of semiconductors. The meeting was hosted by ventureLAB, Canada's leading hub for hardware and semiconductor innovation. Article content Article content Held at ventureLAB's headquarters in Markham, the G7 Semiconductor Point of Contact Group Stakeholder Forum welcomed senior leaders from government, industry, and academia across G7 member countries. The gathering marked a pivotal moment in the ongoing efforts to develop secure, resilient semiconductor supply chains and accelerate economic growth through shared innovation. The stakeholder forum was led by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED) with support from the National Research Council of Canada (NRC) and Global Affairs Canada (GAC) and included delegates from each of the G7 nations. These forums were initiated under Italy's 2024 G7 Presidency, to strengthen collaboration on shared innovation and technology priorities among G7 countries. Article content Canada's unique semiconductor ecosystem took centre stage during the event, as attendees participated in a guided tour of ventureLAB's state-of-the-art hardware lab and incubator—the only facility of its kind in the country. The tour demonstrated Canada's advanced capabilities in silicon development, hardware commercialization, and semiconductor R&D, reinforcing its growing leadership in the global semiconductor value chain. Article content 'Canada is well-positioned to lead the next era of semiconductor innovation,' said Hugh Chow, CEO of ventureLAB. 'We were honoured to host the Semiconductor Point-of-Contact Stakeholder Forum in Markham, a clear signal that Canada is stepping up to build a globally competitive and resilient semiconductor industry, anchored by collaboration, talent, and advanced infrastructure.' Article content Later that evening, ventureLAB hosted an industry reception in downtown Toronto, bringing together global semiconductor stakeholders for an evening of strategic networking and knowledge exchange. Attendees included representatives from G7 nations, government officials, academic experts, and Canadian industry leaders. The G7 is meeting in Canada at a time of heightened international focus on semiconductors—critical components at the core of sectors ranging from healthcare and energy to defence and automotive. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed vulnerabilities in the global chip supply chain, making semiconductor resilience and innovation a top priority for G7 nations. Article content Canada's 2025 G7 Presidency, its seventh since joining the G7 in 1976, provides a timely platform to showcase Canadian leadership in global semiconductor strategy and policy. The Forum reinforced the importance of investing in R&D, workforce development, and domestic manufacturing to ensure secure access to critical technologies. Article content ventureLAB reaffirmed its commitment to working alongside the Government of Canada and international partners to strengthen the semiconductor sector through collaboration, innovation, and a shared vision for a sustainable, future-ready economy. Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content Article content