[NewsPoster]

Apple is preparing to expand its research and development efforts yet again, by opening a new facility in Canada in the future, according to a report. It is claimed Apple has leased a large suite at the Kanata Research Park in Ottawa, the same place where Blackberry's automotive-based QNX Software Systems is operating, with several report sources suggesting the new location will be focused purely on research for Apple products.

Sources of the Ottawa Business Journal claim the suite in question is 22,100 square foot in size at 411 Legget Drive, where DragonWave is the current main tenant. Building owner KRP Properties currently lists suite 300 as "currently vacant" and is the same size as the sources indicate, meaning this could be the office Apple may have secured.

(via KRP Properties)

According to KRP's description of the "full floor" suite, it includes an executive boardroom, meeting rooms, several offices, a server room, lunchroom, showers, private balconies, and lab space.

If true, this would become the latest office to open up as part of an aggressive program to increase R&D at Apple. One center is expected to open this year in Yokohama, Japan, while an expansion of existing San Jose and SunnyvaleCambridge in the UK have also taken place over the last two years.

[iSkippy]

Katana Research Park? Sounds badass! Sad to say, it's more likely to be Kanata Research Park, as Kanata is a suburb of Ottawa.

[Malcolm Owen]

Agreed, it would be a lot cooler as Katana, but you're correct. Post has been updated to include the correct, if less awesome, name. Thanks for spotting that.

Hey at least it's not the Cortana Research Park