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Four winners have been selected for the country’s first-ever Smart Cities Challenge, a pan-Canadian competition encouraging communities of all sizes to harness the potential of connected technology and data to improve the lives of all citizens.
The winners will receive prizes totaling $75 million that will be used to implement their visions. Bridgewater, N.S., won $5 million for its proposal to reduce energy poverty, Nunavut communities, Nvt., got $10 million for its proposal to use a life promotion approach to suicide prevention, Guelph and Wellington County, Ont., received $10 million for its proposal to create a circular food economy, and Montréal, Qué., won $50 million for its proposal to improve mobility and access to food.
When the challenge was launched in November 2017, communities from across Canada responded. Over the past year, 20 finalists have been working with their residents and partners to turn their ideas into real, practical plans.
An independent jury of 13 members assessed and evaluated the final proposals.
The winners will implement their pitch over the next five years. Updates on their implementation will be posted on Infrastructure Canada’s website.
