Canada’s Smart City Challenge… what will it be?
Many communities are watching anxiously for details of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s support for municipalities, also known as the Smart City Challenge. As we all remember, a $300M commitment was made in the 2017 budget to support Canadian municipalities to take a leading position in coming up with innovative proposals which could lead to ground-breaking “smart city projects”. It is the goal of the Canadian federal government to make the right investments in our Canadian communities that could lead in making a lasting impact in terms of their liveability, economy, culture and overall competitiveness.
We don’t know much yet about the Smart City Challenge, but that should not stop communities and people across the country from beginning a conversation about how they can make an impact by taking risks through innovation, collaboration and the application of technology and smart practices to achieve real, measurable results that will matter for every citizen in their communities. We are asked to identify top priorities for improving our communities and a plan and commitment to see them through. Those that come up with the most ingenious ideas will win the following prizes:
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Prizes Each round will include: one (1) large prize of $50 million; two (2) prizes of $10 million for mid-sized communities; one (1) prize of $5 million for a small community; and one (1) prize of $5 million available for an Indigenous community.
Specifics around the eligibility size thresholds will be made available at a later date. |
The Smart Cities Challenge is a merit-based, pan-Canadian initiative, inviting cities of all sizes, as well as Indigenous communities, to participate in 3 rounds, the first of which is set to launch in the Fall of 2017. More information will follow over the next several months. Visit Infrastructure Canada’s website for announcements and updates: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/cities-villes-eng.html
Twitter @INFC_eng #smartcitiesCanada.
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ICF Canada 1310-20 Bay Street Toronto, Ontario M5J 2N8 www.icf-canada.com
Contact: John G. Jung at jjung@icf-canada.com 1-647-801-4238 cell
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