Kanata, Ontario, a suburb within Ottawa, Canada, is a vibrant community located approximately 22 km west of the city's downtown core. As of 2021, the former City of Kanata boasts a population of 98,938, with the population centre, including the neighbouring Stittsville, having a population of 137,118. Before its amalgamation into Ottawa in 2001, Kanata was one of the fastest-growing cities in Canada and the fastest-growing community in Eastern Ontario.
The area now known as Kanata was originally part of the March Township, first settled by Europeans in the early 19th century. One site dating from this era is Pinhey's Point. The area remained primarily agricultural until the 1960s when it became the site of heavy development.
Modern Kanata is largely the creation of Bill Teron, a developer and urban planner who purchased over 1,200 hectares of rural land and set about building a model community. Unlike other suburbs, Kanata was designed to have a mix of densities and commercial and residential properties. It had large amounts of open space and was to be surrounded by a greenbelt.
The area was divided into a series of communities, each intended to have its own commercial centre and unique culture. These include Beaverbrook, Glen Cairn, Bridlewood, Katimavik, Hazeldean, Morgan's Grant, and Kanata Lakes. The first street to be built was Tiffany Crescent in 1964.
As part of the overall plan for the city's future, Teron set aside land for a technology park, reasoning that the city could grow a high-tech sector on the foundation of the scientists and researchers already attracted to the area for the dominant government sector in Ottawa.
The Province of Ontario incorporated Kanata as a city in 1978. The new city's area was formed out of March Township as well as portions of Goulbourn Township and Nepean. The name "Kanata" was chosen in a referendum, defeating "Hazeldean", "March" and "Kairnwood".
On September 20, 1998, the city of Kanata dedicated a cenotaph in Village Green Memorial Park to those who served their country in war and peace. Kanata remained a city until 2001, when the province created a new (amalgamated) City of Ottawa that included the City of Kanata.
Situated in the Ottawa Valley, Kanata is about 22 km west-southwest of Downtown Ottawa along Highway 417. Its northern end is just to the west of the Ottawa River. To the east, Kanata is separated from the former City of Nepean by the National Capital Commission's Greenbelt. The community of Bells Corners borders the inner side of the Greenbelt.
Running through the western part of Kanata is the Carp River. Immediately southwest of Kanata are the suburbs of Stittsville and Richmond which are also part of the City of Ottawa. A growing number of people employed in the hi-tech industry reside in the communities of Richmond and Stittsville owing to their close proximity to the larger tech hub of Kanata.
Kanata is divided into several neighbourhoods, each with its unique charm and character. These include South March, Kanata North Business Park, Marchwood Lakeside, Beaverbrook, Kanata Town Centre, Terry Fox Business Park, Katimavik-Hazeldean, Glen Cairn, Kanata South Business Park, and Bridlewood.
Kanata is home to several notable buildings and institutions, including the Canadian Tire Centre, the Kanata Recreation Complex, the Kanata Leisure Centre and Wave Pool, the Brookstreet Hotel, the Kanata Centrum power centre, the Royal Canadian Legion's national headquarters, Ron Maslin Playhouse, Bell Sensplex, Landmark Cinemas Kanata 24, Jack Charron Arena, Hazeldean Branch – Ottawa Public Library, Glen Cairn Tennis Courts, Hazeldean Mall, and Tanger Outlet Mall.
Kanata is a hub for arts and culture, housing several arts groups including the Kanata Symphony, Kanata Civic Art Gallery, and Kanata Theatre.
The population of Kanata has seen steady growth over the years. As of the 2011 census, the population stood at 80,781, a significant increase from 58,636 in 2001. The area spans 132.21 km², with a density of 530.1 persons per km².
