- Partnerships with Government of Canada, Government of
Ontario and City of Ottawa to support cutting-edge labs,
infrastructure at new Nokia tech centre
OTTAWA,
ON, Oct. 17, 2022 /CNW/ - Nokia Canada and federal, provincial and
municipal partners today announced plans to transform Nokia's
Ottawa, ON, facility into a
world-leading, sustainable research and development (R&D) hub.
The tech center will significantly expand Nokia Canada's capacity in next-generation
information and communications technology (ICT) and cyber security
innovation. This transformation is expected to create more than 340
new, high-value jobs and help Nokia attract highly-skilled, global
talent to Canada's tech ecosystem.
Nokia Canada plans to begin site
construction in 2023 and expects to open the new facility in 2026.
This project will transform Nokia
Canada's 26-acre campus at the Kanata North Business Park
into a sustainable, accessible mixed-use corporate, residential and
commercial hub where nearly 2,160 local employees, Ottawa residents and businesses, and Canada's
entire tech ecosystem can collaborate, innovate and drive Canadian
and global wellbeing and prosperity.
The new R&D hub will help secure Canada's position as a
global leader in the green digital future by broadening
Nokia Canada's expertise in 5G,
cyber security, artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning,
accelerating growth in cloud software, and enhancing digital
identity management and security for devices connected to critical
networks.
Pekka Lundmark, President and
CEO of Nokia, said: "Nokia is helping to drive Canada's tech
leadership. This world-class, sustainable R&D hub will be one
of Nokia's most dynamic developments – and I'm proud that it will
benefit the people of Ottawa also.
This is an exciting day. I want to express my appreciation to the
local, provincial and national governments for working with us on
this project."
Nokia Canada's connectivity
solutions form the critical foundation for major Canadian
industries and infrastructure, including
transportation, utilities, smart cities, government
services and natural resources. Nokia
Canada is also the major supplier to Canada's leading
telecommunication carriers, including 5G radio and core,
fiber-to-the home, IP-routing, optical networks, cyber security,
submarine cable, and network management software.
The new Ottawa facility will
support Nokia's global target of 50 per cent greenhouse gas
emission reduction by 2030 by implementing sustainable
technologies, including water side heat recovery, air side heat and
energy recovery, water side free cooling, and rainwater
harvesting.
Jeffrey Maddox, President of
Nokia Canada,
said: "Today's announcement reinforces Nokia's commitment
to the Canadian market, where we have 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."
The transformed campus is expected to enable Nokia Canada to grow its Ontario-based team by more than 340 positions
to 2,500, 2,160 of which will be based in Ottawa, increase co-op and intern positions
for university and college students in STEM fields by 100 to 400
per year, and introduce new, cutting-edge lab space and equipment.
Nokia Canada plans to invest CAD
340+ million in labs and equipment, labour, and operating costs
between 2023 and 2027.
The Government of Canada is finalizing plans to provide up to
CAD 40 million via its Strategic
Innovation Fund (SIF) and the Government of Ontario, through Invest Ontario, will provide
CAD 30 million to the project. These
contributions will support the long-term capability of Nokia,
Canada and Ontario in cyber
security, R&D, and next-gen technology, including 6G, while
delivering high-paying jobs in construction and technology.
The City of Ottawa, through
Hydro Ottawa, will make a capital contribution of CAD 2 million for control system upgrades.
Additional Quotes
The Rt. Hon. Justin Trudeau,
Prime Minister of Canada, said: "The project we're
announcing will help connect Canadians to the jobs of today and
tomorrow. It will bring economic benefits to the National Capital
Region and stimulate Canada's tech ecosystem. This is about
building a strong economy and a better future for everyone."
The Hon. François-Philippe
Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry,
said: "Canadians rely on wireless and Internet services
for virtually everything: working, school, commuting, as well as
staying in touch with loved ones. That is why it's essential we
have access to the most advanced digital telecommunications tools.
Today's announcement will help to enable exciting new technologies
that will have a transformative effect on Canada's economy and the
day-to-day lives of Canadians. By partnering with Nokia, Canada is
strengthening its digital infrastructure and cementing its position
at the forefront of the digital technology."
The Hon. Doug Ford, Premier of
Ontario, said: "This
monumental investment from Nokia shows once again that there is no
better place for businesses to grow and jobs to be created than
here in Ontario. We are proud to
work alongside our partners to secure hundreds more in demand, high
skill jobs for the Ottawa region
and we welcome this long term commitment from Nokia to our
province, and our workers."
The Hon. Vic Fedeli,
Ontario's Minister of Economic
Development, Job Creation and Trade, said: "Nokia's investment
and expansion project are strong signals that Ontario continues to be the best place for
businesses around the world to invest and grow. Ontario is home to a wealth of world-renowned
research institutes and top talent who work collaboratively with
businesses to create game-changing solutions. Working closely with
Invest Ontario, our government is proud to support global
innovators like Nokia as part of our plan to build Ontario."
His Worship Jim Watson, Mayor of the City of Ottawa, said: "I want to
thank Nokia, as well as our federal and provincial governments, for
investing in our community and growing our local economy. Not only
will this see more cutting-edge R&D taking place in
Ottawa; it will lead to a more
sustainable mixed-use campus for Nokia, while creating hundreds of
new jobs and co-op/intern positions. This is a good day for
Ottawa and Kanata North.''
About Nokia
At Nokia, we create technology that helps the world act
together.
As a trusted partner for critical networks, we are committed to
innovation and technology leadership across mobile, fixed and cloud
networks. We create value with intellectual property and long-term
research, led by the award-winning Nokia
Bell Labs.
Adhering to the highest standards of integrity and security, we
help build the capabilities needed for a more productive,
sustainable and inclusive world.
SOURCE Nokia