Kanata North Tech Park in Ottawa’s west end has officially become a Special Economic District under the city’s Master Plan, making it the largest technology cluster in North America and creating more than 30,000 jobs.

The 550-hectare site is home to over 540 companies, primarily in the IT sector. According to the Kanata North Business Association (KNBA), the park contributes $13 billion to Canada’s GDP annually.

Special Economic Districts in Ottawa are considered key to the city’s national and international image. In addition to Kanata North, these districts include the ByWard Market, Lansdowne, and the Ottawa International Airport.

Starting in 2025, the park will see faster approvals for construction projects through a new permitting system (CPP), cutting the approval process to 45 days instead of 150.

Kanata North is also preparing to launch an autonomous electric shuttle, which is being tested for winter conditions and will hit the roads by summer 2025. Partners in the project include Invest Ottawa, uOttawa and EcoSafeSense.