Kanata Moving Company

Living in Kanata

Kanata is a diverse community with plenty to see and do. It consists of twelve neighbourhoods, all of which have their own unique flavour. From the restaurants and parks of Glen Cairn to the arts and culture of Kanata Lakes, the community has much to offer.

We’ve been moving for so long that we’ve gotten to know the ins and outs of Ottawa and its many communities. It gave us an idea; let’s share our wisdom with people who are moving there.

Here are some things that are good to know if you or someone you know is thinking about or ready to start living in Kanata.

Why Kanata?

Kanata is the ultimate suburban area with a healthy mix of rural and urban features. If you’re looking for a little more room to spread out, or simply a little more room to breathe, Kanata has these options and more.

Kanata Communities

Kanata is an area located in the western section of Ottawa, and has a population of over 90,000 people. These people are spread out among Kanata’s own smaller communities.

• Beaverbrook
• Glen Cairn
• Katimavik
• Hazeldean
• Morgan’s Grant
• Kanata Lakes
• Bridlewood

Schools and Rankings

Kanata is home to many schools, both elementary and secondary. They are spread out over several school districts.

All rankings are by the Fraser Institute School Rankings, averaged over five years based on academic metrics. They are not necessarily the only way to judge of the quality of the school. It’s important to visit the school, talk to other parents, and consider the needs of your child before making your decision.

Public Elementary Schools

Bridlewood and Glen Cairn

Bridlewood Community Elementary School

• Fraser’s Ranking: 5.9/10
• District: Bridlewood (boundaries extended for French program students)
• Grades: JK – Grade 6
• Offers a wide range of extracurriculars, including intramural sports and social clubs

John Young Elementary School

• Fraser’s Ranking: 6.6/10
• District: Glen Cairn and Bridlewood West
• Grades: JK – Grade 6
• 46% of students are enrolled in the Early French Immersion program

Roch Carrier Elementary School

• Fraser’s Ranking: 7.5/10
• District: Bridlewood, Emerald Meadows, Glen Cairn, Katimavik
• Grades: JK – Grade 6
• RCES has a diverse student body, with over 40 different languages spoken by students and staff

W.O. Mitchell Elementary School

• Fraser’s Ranking: 6.7/10
• District: Bridlewood East, West, North – Emerald Meadows South East
• Grades: JK – Grade 8
• W.O. offers an instrumental music program for Grade 7 and 8 students, and has many musical events throughout the year.

Katimavik and Morgan’s Grant

Castlefrank Elementary

• Fraser’s Ranking: N/A
• District: Katimavik
• Grades: JK – Grade 3
• Among school events like the annual Read-a-Thon, Castlefrank offers choir and yoga weekly.

Katimavik Elementary School

• Fraser’s Ranking: N/A
• District: Katimavik
• Grades: Grade 4- Grade 8
• Katimavik has a large selection of extracurriculars and a dedication to a school improvement plan focused on health and social wellness.

Jack Donohue Public School

• Fraser’s Ranking: 7.8/10
• District: Morgan’s Grant
• Grades: JK – Grade 8
• Over half of JDPS’s students are enrolled in the French Immersion program. It breaks down to 18 French Immersion classes and 19 English classes.

South March Public School

• Fraser’s Ranking: 7.7/10
• District: Morgan’s Grant
• Grades: JK – Grade 6
• SMPS is one of the newer schools in the area, and offers a specialized Autism program which is open to students across the district.

Beaverbrook and Kanata Lakes

Roland Michener Public School

• Fraser’s Ranking: 6.3/10
• District: Beaverbrook, Kanata Lakes, Morgan’s Grant West
• Grades: JK- Grade 6
• The school likes to focus on global and local causes, including raising money for the Kanata Food Bank and participating in Jump Rope for Heart.

Stephen Leacock Public School

• Fraser’s Ranking: 8.8/10
• District: Beaverbrook, Kanata Lakes, Morgan’s Grant West
• Grades: JK – Grade 6
• SLPS offers full day kindergarten as well as an extended day program for its students.

W. Erskine Johnston Public School

• Fraser’s Ranking: 8.9/10
• District: Beaverbrook, Kanata Lakes
• Grades: JK – Grade 8
• WEJPS has computer technology in every classroom, a computer lab, extensive parent and student resources, and offers several extracurricular activities for all interests.

Public Middle Schools

Glen Cairn Public School

• Fraser’s Ranking: N/A
• District: Glen Cairn, Emerald Meadows and Bridlewood West and South
• Grades: Grade 7 – Grade 8
• GCPS is known for its excellence in innovative mathematics, science, and technology, with the help of a state of the art computer lab. They also offer many sports and clubs for all interests.

Public Secondary Schools

A.Y. Jackson Secondary School

• Fraser’s Ranking: 7.9/10
• District: Glen Cairn, Bridlewood and Emerald Meadows
• Grades: Grade 9 – Grade 12
• AYJSS offers an International Certificate Program, which enables students to studying international subjects and even participate in an international exchange.

Earl Of March Secondary School

• Fraser’s Ranking: 8.9/10
• District: Beaverbrook, Kanata Lakes and Katimavik
• Grades: Grade 7 – Grade 12
• EMSS focuses on a general arts education, and offers a wide variety of programs, including Advanced Placement. Outside of school, it plays host to 30 sports teams and over 40 clubs.

West Carleton Secondary School

• Fraser’s Ranking: 8.8/10
• District: Morgan’s Grant and West Carleton
• Grades: Grade 9 – Grade 12
• Located on 107 acres of forest and wetlands, WCSS is a modernized school that includes a technology wing and an art wing. Along with standard academic programs, they offer a Technical Skills Internship program.

There are also several Catholic, French, and private schools in the Kanata area.

Sports

Kanata is a hub for those interested in cheering on or participating in sports. For example, you may have heard a little something about the Ottawa Senators. The popular NHL team plays their home games at the Canadian Tire Centre in Kanata. Kanata also has a Junior A hockey team, the Kanata Lasers.

If you’re looking for some more family-friendly recreational sporting activities, Kanata has you covered. You and your kids will never be bored with so many options, including:

• Joining the Kanata Dragons recreational soccer club (age 3 to 11).
• Kicking around with the West Ottawa Soccer Club (all ages!)
• Getting nothing but net with the Kanata Youth Basketball Association (ages 5 to 18).
• Passing the puck as part of the Kanata Minor Hockey Association.
• Taking a lesson at the Ottawa Academy of Martial Arts.
• Tumbling at the Kanata Rhythmic Sportive Gymnastics Club.
• Trying to get a hole in one at one of Kanata’s many golf courses.

Business is Booming

The Kanata North Business Association is committed to making Kanata North the premier tech and industry hub of Ottawa and beyond. They represent over 500 businesses in the area, making it one of the best spots for innovators and thinkers.

Kanata is home to some big names in the industry, including:

• Ericsson
• Nokia
• Canadian Aeronautics and Space Institute
• Booster Juice
• Amazon
• Big Rig Brewery
• Dell Software

The amount of businesses in Kanata ensure that it is a busy, active place with a thriving economy.

Dining

Always looking for the next hot spot to grab a great meal? Living in Kanata will not be disappointing. There are several choices for a dinner out, including:

• Aperitivo – small plates and fun cocktails
• Crazy Horse – a western theme with occasional live music
• Graffiti’s Italian Eatery – a classic trattoria with dishes
• Central Bierhaus – a European gastropub with authentic dining and food

This is just a sampling of the unique restaurants that can quickly become your favourites when living in Kanata.

Shopping

If you’re one of those shop until you drop kind of people, Kanata offers lots of places to find what you need – and want!

Kanata Centrum Shopping Centre

For all around shopping and dining experience, Kanata Centrum has many positive online reviews. This shopping centre features major retailers like Loblaws and Walmart, as well as some other familiar mall staples like Hallmark, Dollarama, and a Baskin Robbins. It also plays host to restaurants like Baton Rouge and Moxie’s. This mall is in an excellent location if you need to get some errands done or are missing that hometown mall feeling.

Address: 110, 130, and 510 Earl Grey Drive, Kanata

Tanger Outlets

The Tanger Outlets are a great place to go if you’re looking for deals (let’s be honest – who isn’t?). The Kanata location – one of only two in Ontario – is home to dozens of stores that boast great savings. We just hope your car has the trunk space to handle it all!

Address: 8555 Campeau Drive, Kanata

Hazeldean Mall

Hazeldean is another great family style shopping centre where there is a little something for everybody. Grab a meal at Don Cherry’s Sports Grill before browsing in one or two of the many traditional mall stores.

Address: 300 Eagleson Road, Kanata

For the Kids: Toys ‘R’ Us

Kids aren’t going to be thrilled with a trip that only has stores for the parents. Luckily, they’ll be over the moon when they see that Kanata has a Toys ‘r’ Us. The store and its location make it a prime place to go when you have to replace a favourite plush toy or find the latest superhero action figure.

Address: 5661 Hazeldean Road, Kanata

Activities and Entertainment

Living in Kanata gives you many options when it comes to activities and entertainment, so that no matter what you like to do, there’s something for you, including:

• The Landmark Cinemas
• The Canadian Tire Centre, which hosts concerts and sports games year round
• The Kanata Leisure Centre and Wave Pool (with free Wi-Fi and parking)
• The Kanata Civic Art Gallery
• The annual Kanata North Picnic, with activities for all ages.
• The Eddie May Mysteries dinner theatre, the longest running murder mystery entertainment group in Canada.

Services

As a bustling city within a city, Kanata has a host of services that make it a convenient location for those looking for an all service place.

• Grocery Stores – Kanata has many grocery stores, including multiple Sobey’s, Metros, a Loblaws and an Independent Grocers.
• Auto Shops – Need a tuneup? Kanata has auto body shops to go to, like Allard’s Collision Centre.
• Healthcare – We understand how important it is to be near healthcare services. Kanata is home to multiple doctors, medical clinics, and is close to the Queensway Carleton Hospital
• Public Transportation – OC Transpo has routes that can take you all over Kanata, so that if you find yourself without a car, it isn’t a problem to get where you need to go.

Nature

Kanata has the perfect blend of urban and rural areas, meaning that when you want to get that fresh pine smell, you don’t have to go far. The most popular parks and nature attractions in Kanata are:

• Shirley’s Brook Park
• Morgan’s Grant Woods
• Shetland Park
• Allenby Park
• The Kanata Park Research Family Centre

Just the Beginning

This guide is only a small sample of what living in Kanata is like. With so much going on, you’ll never have to leave.

At Cassidy’s, it is our responsibility to make sure that wherever you move, you and your possessions get their safely and professionally. We take that job seriously; after all, we’ve been moving in Ottawa and beyond for a long time.

If you’re ready to move to your new community, we’re ready to help you do it.