OTTAWA, ON, May 20, 2026 — According to a new economic impact report released by the Kanata North Business Association (KNBA), Kanata North, home to Canada’s largest Tech Park, generates $17.9 billion in economic output across Canada and 63,000 jobs.
Prepared by Doyletech using its DT ECONWIN model, the report draws on data from more than 800 firms and quantifies the Tech Park’s growing influence as an economic engine driving Canada’s economy. In addition to a remarkable $17.9 billion in total gross economic output, Kanata North also produces $2.8 billion in international exports and generates approximately $3 billion in tax revenue across all three levels of government.
“Since the first Economic Impact Study in 2015, Kanata North has continued to grow in remarkable ways,” said Kelly Daize, Executive Director of the Kanata North Business Association. “Today, Kanata North is one of the rare places globally where advanced hardware and software are developed together in the same ecosystem. Our companies combine deep expertise in software, cybersecurity, semiconductors, photonics, networking, mobility, advanced manufacturing, and cloud systems to develop mission-critical technologies for secure communications, advanced sensing, and next-generation infrastructure — a level of integration that very few technology ecosystems in the world can match.”
Designated as a Special Economic District, Kanata North is uniquely positioned for continued expansion as a globally significant, mixed-use innovation hub. The designation supports regulatory flexibility, strengthening the Tech Park’s live-work-play environment, and enhancing its ability to attract global investment and skilled talent. Recent transportation initiatives, including a shuttle pilot connecting key sites, further reinforce that competitive edge and appeal as a destination for world-class companies and talent.
A National Engine for Advanced Technologies
Kanata North’s economy is anchored by Manufacturing, Engineering, Testing, Semiconductors, Telecom, and Photonics, which account for 48.3% of all revenues and 58% of employment. These sectors support the development of advanced technologies deeply embedded in global supply chains.
“Kanata North is a key economic engine and home to Canada’s largest Technology Park,” said Mayor Mark Sutcliffe. “The innovation happening here creates jobs, drives growth across the National Capital Region, and strengthens Ottawa’s role as a leading global tech hub.”
Strategic Opportunities for Kanata North
The report identifies several opportunities to build on Kanata North’s momentum and further strengthen its national and global competitiveness.
Among these is a rare opportunity to establish a sovereign III-V compound semiconductor fabrication facility, providing Canada’s strong semiconductor and photonics ecosystem with a secure, fully domestic supply chain. With multiple companies including prime contractors and dual-use technologies in the second largest cluster (Defence, Security, and Aerospace) Kanata North is also well-positioned to unlock defence-driven economic growth and reinforce its role as Canada’s Defence Innovation Hub through training and programming at the KNBA’s collaboration space, Hub350.
The report further points to opportunities in clean energy innovation, including the development of a low-carbon community energy model, and in talent development through integrated education hubs, industry-aligned upskilling programs, and future-focused learning models such as a technology high school.
About Kanata North Business Association
The Kanata North Business Association represents over 800 companies located in Kanata North and Canada’s largest Technology Park. KNBA works to foster collaboration, drive innovation and support the continued growth of Ottawa’s globally recognized technology ecosystem.
Media Contact
For more information or to schedule interviews, please contact:
Jesika Arseneau
Carrie Irvine Communications
jesika@carrieirvinecommunications.com
343-548-7485
BACKGROUND
Spokespeople
- Kelly Daize, Executive Director, Kanata North Business Association
- Andy Thompson, Nokia Canada and Chair of the Board of Directors, Kanata North Business Association
Key Data from KNBA’s Economic Impact Report
- $17.9B generated in gross economic output across Canada
- $9.7B in value-add contributed to Canada’s GDP
- $3.3B in gross operating surplus generated
- $2.8B in international exports generated
- $6.1B paid in total labour income
- 63,000+ total jobs supported, 30,978 direct
- $3B generated in taxes to all levels of government
- 3B federally, representing approximately 1% of total federal income tax revenues
- $1.3B provincially
- $299M municipally
7 Key Sectors of Canada’s Largest Technology Park
- Manufacturing, Engineering, Testing, Semiconductors, Telecom, Photonics
- This sub-sector ranks first in employment and company count, generating 48.3% of the Tech Park’s total output
- Software, Data, and Cloud Services
- Defense, Security, and Aerospace
- Other Technology Sector
- Clean Tech
- Life Sciences
- VARS and Parts Suppliers
Opportunities to Catalyze Growth
- Compound semiconductors: from ground to finished goods
- Anchor a sovereign III-V compound semiconductor supply chain within Canada
- Evolve the Canadian Photonics Fabrication Centre (CPFC) into a high-volume commercial foundry
- Energy as strategic infrastructure
- Develop a resilient green community energy model that delivers reliable, low-carbon, and fully resilient power
- Talent
- Open a STEM-focused high school that primes youth for careers in modern technology
- Defence, security, and aerospace
- Establish a dedicated defence incubator out of Hub350
Special Economic District
The Kanata North Tech Park was designated as a Special Economic District by the City of Ottawa in 2021. This designation supports the vision to evolve the space from a traditional business park into a vibrant urban centre where people can live, work, learn, and play by easing zoning and development processes for new mixed-use buildings, diverse amenities, and housing.
Economic Modelling Methodology
Doyletech conducted this report’s evaluation between February and April 2025 using data from KNBA, Invest Ottawa, and Doyletech’s proprietary databases and methods. Data was collected from over 800 firms, and the macroeconomic impacts were quantified using Doyletech’s DT ECONWIN model.
Additional Quotes
“Kanata North is a global innovation hub that is paving the future of technology. The breakthroughs happening in this community touch billions of people every day.”
— Andy Thompson, Nokia Canada and Chair of the Board of Directors, Kanata North Business Association
“Kanata North was built on a strong telecommunications foundation, with decades of world-class R&D shaping one of the most advanced technology clusters in the world. That legacy has evolved into a global centre of excellence in photonics and semiconductors, enabling critical technologies for modern defence, from LiDAR and radar to advanced sensing and machine vision. As AI accelerates demand for high-performance infrastructure, this ecosystem is reinforcing Canada’s global leadership while creating new opportunities for growth, investment and sovereign capability.”— Terry Matthews, Chairman of Wesley Clover International
“The economic strength of Kanata enables important reinvestments across our community and generates ample diverse job opportunities for Kanata and Ottawa overall. The revenue generated here helps us expand services, improve infrastructure, and ensure Kanata remains a vibrant, family-friendly place to live.”
— Councillor Cathy Curry
“Public investment in Ranovus has catalyzed real momentum in Kanata North’s semiconductor ecosystem, showing what’s possible when government and industry pull in the same direction. By supporting Canadian-owned world-class innovation at Ranovus, Canada will secure a strategic beachhead in next-generation photonics market for scaling AI infrastructure.”
— Hamid Arabzadeh, CEO of Ranovus
“The expansion of our Ottawa R&D site in recent years shows how important Kanata North is to Ericsson. This region provides a vibrant technology ecosystem and the talented people needed to push the boundaries of Innovation in Wireless Networks technology, vital ingredients for us to be a strategic contributor to Ericsson’s global portfolio.”
— Marcos Cavaletti, Senior Advisor & Head of Ericsson Ottawa Site, Ericsson
Learn More About KNBA: www.kanatanorthba.com
