Nepean was a suburban municipality adjacent to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada until it was amalgamated with the 10 other municipalities that formed the Regional Municipality of Ottawa Carleton in 2001 to become the new city of Ottawa. However, Nepean as a sense of community still exists for its residents.

Although the neighbouring municipality of Kanata formed the entrepreneurial and high tech center of the region, Nepean also contained noted industries such as Nortel Networks, JDS Uniphase and Gandalf. As with the rest of the National Capital Region, however, Nepean's economy was also dependent on federal government employment.

Nepean's policies of operational and capital budgeting prudence contrasted with the budget philosophies of some other municipalities in the area. Nepean instituted a strict 'pay as you go' budgeting scheme. The city entered amalgamation with a large surplus and a record of tax restraint. It should be noted, however, that most big ticket municipal infrastructure items (transit, garbage collection, sanitary sewers, water, arterial roads, police, social services) were the responsibility of the Regional Municipality of Ottawa-Carleton, not the former City of Nepean.

History

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Nepean Township, originally known as Township D, was established in 1792 and originally included what is now the central area of Ottawa west of the Rideau River. Jehiel Collins, from Vermont, is believed to have been the first person to settle in Nepean Township, on the future site of Bytown. Nepean was incorporated as a city in 1978. The geographic boundaries of Nepean changed considerably over this time; the original town hall of the township of Nepean was located in Westboro, which was annexed in 1949 by the city of Ottawa. Nepean's centre then moved to the community of Bells Corners. In the 1950 and 1960s, Nepean's urban area began to expand in previous rural areas in such areas as Centrepointe in the east, and Barrhaven in the south.

Prior to its amalgamation with 10 other municipalities into the new city of Ottawa in 2001, the population of Nepean was 124,878. The current (2005) population is estimated at 135,000.

Nepean was named after Sir Evan Nepean, British Under-Secretary of State for the Home Department from 1782 to 1791.

A Nepean quarry provided the sandstone blocks which were the principal building material used in the Parliament Buildings in downtown Ottawa.

Demographics

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According to the Canada 2001 Census:

• Population: 124,878
• % Change (1996-2001): 8.5
• Dwellings: 44,685
• Area (km².): 217.00
• Density (persons per km².): 575.5

Mayors

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• 1978 - Andrew Haydon
• 1978-1997 Ben Franklin
• 1997-2001 Mary Pitt

Education

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Public schools in Nepean are administrated by Ottawa-Carleton District School Board. The board's headquarters are located within Nepean itself. Catholic schools, or "separate schools", are administered by the Ottawa-Carleton Catholic School Board.

Famous Nepeanites

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The following famous people were either born in, raised in, or consider Nepean their home town:

• Steve Yzerman, hockey player
• Jesse Palmer, football player, TV's Bachelor
• Sandra Oh, actor

Communities in Ontario | Ottawa neighbourhoods | Former municipalities now in Ottawa