Nokia Canada is transforming its 26-acre campus at the Kanata North Business Park in Ottawa into a sustainable research and development hub— set to lure skilled global talent and expand capacity for cyber security innovations and information and communications technology (ICI).

The project begins construction next year and expects to open in 2026. The plan will include a mix of corporate, residential and commercial uses, and add 340 positions, with 2,160 based in Ottawa.

“Canadians rely on wireless and Internet services for virtually everything: working, school, commuting, as well as staying in touch with loved ones,” said François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry. “That is why it’s essential we have access to the most advanced digital telecommunications tools.”

The new facility will also support Nokia’s global target of 50 per cent greenhouse gas emission reduction by 2030 through implementing technologies, such as water side heat recovery, air side heat and energy recovery, water side free cooling, and rainwater harvesting.

Nokia is investing $340-plus million in labs and equipment, labour, and operating costs between 2023 and 2027. The federal government  is finalizing plans to provide up to $40 million via its Strategic Innovation Fund and Ontario plans to offer $30 million through Invest Ontario,.

Nokia Canada President Jeffrey Maddox said the company has invested $1.4 billion in R&D over the past five years. “Nokia’s R&D hub will generate net-new Canadian IP and bring innovative advanced telecommunications and cyber security technologies to market, helping us achieve our goal of improving people’s lives in Canada and across the world.”