Did you know that Kanata is home to Canada’s largest technology park? It’s true. The Kanata North Business Association represents the largest tech hub in Canada, and it’s right in our backyard. 

Not only does the park have a rich history woven into Ottawa’s very fibre, but the park also continues to be a source of innovation, inspiration, and ingenuity as the years go on. 

With the future of the park up in the air in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, engineers and city planners are proposing a new change to Kanata North that could change the park significantly. 

Before diving into what’s new, you should get a little familiar with the Kanata North origin story. Here’s what you need to know…

First of All, Where is the Kanata North Technology Park?

The Kanata North Technology Park is represented by the local BIA. It starts at the intersection of March Road and Herzberg Road. It encompasses parts of Carling Road as well as Terry Fox Drive, Hines Road, Station Road, and Innovation Drive. The park also extends along March towards Old Carp Road, Klondike Road, and March Valley Road. 

The park is expansive and the BIA currently represents over 500 members in the area, including some of the most prominent tech companies in the world. 

Are you planning a relocation to Ottawa soon? Check out our blog on what tech employees need to know about moving to Ottawa here.

How Did it Get Started? 

The Tech Park was founded in the 1970s when Terry Matthews and Michael Cowpland founded Mitel. It was the success of Mitel that really catapulted the area’s ability to draw new and exciting businesses and talent to the area. 

One of the defining features that made Kanata North stand out among other similar models was the area’s cohabitation between for-profit businesses and academic and government institutions. This instilled a spirit of research and innovation in the area that is still maintained today. 

During the tech boom in Ottawa leading up to the early 2000s, Kanata North grew exponentially, with many established tech companies and startups choosing to call Ottawa home. As a result, the area’s real estate also skyrocketed, with new developments needed to support the buyer demand coming from tech park employees. 

In 2000, when the tech bubble seemed to “pop” after the collapse of Nortel, the area still remained popular with homeowners, and other companies from around the globe moved into the park, taking advantage of reasonable rents, and hoping to attract the same talent that made Ottawa’s tech companies so successful in years past. 

The industry was changing and the Kanata North Tech Park has always been at the forefront of that change. 

What Was the Impact of COVID on the Kanata North Tech Park? 

Today, the Kanata North Technology park employs over 28,000 individuals and is Canada’s largest tech park. The park has evolved to bring in new talent, innovative ideas, and fresh perspectives as shown through its affiliation with The University of Ottawa’s Engineering, Law, and the Telfer School of Management. 

The COVID-19 pandemic has certainly thrown a curveball. Many businesses made the switch to a fully remote or hybrid model for in-office meetings. With buildings and parking lots remaining empty, the future of the park was unclear. That is, until recently. 

What’s New? 

At the start of November of 2021, the CBC reported that the Kanata North Technology Park would undergo a transformation over the next two decades, turning thousands of unused parking spaces into residential buildings, restaurants, and small streets. 

The cherry on top of this already-fascinating idea? The area could even be served by “autonomous vehicle shuttles.” 

Officials are proposing that the area be given special zoning attention that would enable it to become a livable and workable space fit for the incoming labour force who will be entering the market soon. 

Experts are also saying that the proposed plan is actually part of a greater trend for living and working across the world. The simple fact is that people want easy commutes and quick access to excellent amenities and conveniences. 

If the proposal for Kanata North goes forward as planned, we might see Kanata North turned into an extremely walkable, vibrant community perfect for young professionals and families looking for a superb work-life balance. 

Interested in learning more about Kanata? Read our community guide here.

Why It Could Work in Kanata North 

Kanata is already a fantastic community with a lot to offer homeowners. The area has easy access to highways, shopping, dining, community centres, the Ottawa Airport, walking trails, sports fields, and more. However, currently, Kanata is primarily known as being a community only accessible by car. 

A walkable community with quick access to fantastic amenities, combined with the area’s existing infrastructure and community ambiance is just what Kanata North needs to usher the Tech Park into its next phase.

At West Ottawa Real Estate, we are passionate about Kanata and all the incredible things going on here! We’re also relocation experts who have worked with countless tech employees to get set up working in Canada’s largest tech park. If you’d like to learn more about the market or start your buying or selling journey in Kanata, you can send us an email right here.

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