About Kanata

Kanata A Brief History

Kanata is rich in history and scenic splendor. The name “Kanata” originates from a Huron-Iroquois word meaning “meeting place” or “come together” and Kanata lives up to its name. The overall community design philosophy in Kanata emphasizes the interrelationship of employment lands and the surrounding residential communities. Each community in North and South Kanata, offers a quality of life second to none for families, professionals and seniors to enjoy.

North Kanata includes: Beaverbrook, Village Green, Morgan’s Grant / Shirley’s Brook, Kanata Lakes, several rural communities including Dunrobin, Constance Bay, Kinburn and a variety of estate properties.

South Kanata includes: Katimavik – Hazeldean, Glen Cairn, Bridlewood / Emerald Meadows, Trailwest, and Monahan Landing.

The 417 conveniently provides downtown access from both North and South Kanata and additional routes are also available in each area.

The Township of March was named in honor of the Duke of Richmond, Earl of March, Baron Setterington and Methuen of Torbolton. March Township was settled in the early 1800’s with the majority of its settlers from England, Scotland and Ireland. Dr. Alexander Christie, a Scotsman, was the first doctor to come to March Township. He lived on a farm on the first concession near the old Arnprior Road which he called Glen Cairn. Hamnett Kirkes Pinhey was an English merchant who won distinction during the Napoleonic Wars by delivering messages through the French Blockade. For this bravery and service, he was awarded 1,000 acres which he called Horaceville. Today, it is the wonderful attraction and historic site of Pinhey’s Point.

By 1965 much farm land had been sold to developers and Kanata had its beginnings. In 1967, the township offices were moved to the March Centennial Building on Klondike Road at South March. In 1980 the township offices were again relocated to the Town Center. In 1990, the offices were relocated to the location at 580 Terry Fox Drive. Today, Kanata was amalgamated into the City of Ottawa in 2001.

Kanata Today

Home to 43,087 private households in 2021, Kanata is today a thriving community that’s rich with character and charm. It’s a neighbourhood with all sorts of fantastic local conveniences, which cater to people of all ages. Within the neighbourhoods’ boundaries you’ll find a huge variety of schools, recreational sites and shopping opportunities, so those living in the area have a world of amenities and resources right at their fingertips.

Throughout Kanata you’ll find a vast selection of local schools, including public elementary schools, Catholic schools, French public schools, French Catholic schools and secondary schools; as well as fantastic local recreational opportunities including the Richcraft Recreation Complex , the Kanata Leisure Centre and Wave Pool, the Kanata Recreation Complex and more. Kanata is home to the Ottawa Senators’ Canadian Tire Centre, the Bell Sensplex and a wealth of other fantastic indoor and outdoor recreational opportunities. Residents can enjoy Kanata’s 110 recreational parks, three local golf courses, extensive kilometers of winding pathways and so much more.

Located along March Road in Kanata’s is Canada’s largest technology business park, where you’ll find a world of high tech companies such as Nokia, Mitel, Ciena, Blackberry/QNX, Cisco, Mitel, March Networks, and MDS Nordion, as well as manufacturing and industrial firms, commercial establishments and more. Residents can take advantage of the neighbourhoods’ ample job opportunities on top of so many other fantastic amenities and resources.

Residents in Kanata have access to all that the area has to offer by way of Ottawa’s public transit services, as the city’s OC Transpo bus lines make regular stops throughout Kanata’s neighbourhoods; so those in the area can travel seamlessly around the greater Ottawa area. With so many great local conveniences, Kanata truly provides its residents with everything they need and so much more.

Growth

In a setting that actively fosters business opportunities, it is not surprising that Kanata is one of the fastest growing communities within the region. In fact, income and educational levels of Kanata residents are above the Regional and Provincial Standards. Although fuelled by new economy industries such as the Telecommunication and High Tech clusters that make Kanata their home, Kanata has now positioned itself as a well diversified community that provides a live-work atmosphere with an unprecedented quality of life. Between 2011 and 2016, Kanata has experienced a population growth rate of about 12.2%, making the population of Kanata 117,304 in 2016. In addition, Kanata’s Commercial Industrial growth is staggering. In 2014, Tanger Outlets was built near the Canadian Tire Centre, spanning 337,000 square feet and now houses 80 stores.

The People

What makes Kanata such a healthy and vibrant community is it’s people. Kanata is one of the most active communities in the world. With such dedication from community associations, churches and groups alike it’s no wonder that residents are proud to call Kanata their home.