District of Squamish seeks partners to solve civic issues through technology and data for Smart Cities Challenge

Cities of the future will use innovation, data and connected technology to improve the lives of residents, and Infrastructure Canada has launched the Smart Cities Challenge to empower communities to kick start this way of thinking today. The District of Squamish is exploring an application to this Challenge and is seeking partnerships to develop innovative solutions that will address its local priorities. Prizes of up to $50 million are being offered by the federal government however the real goal and benefit of exploring this opportunity is to develop innovative, future-focused solutions to societies' civic issues and forge strategic economic partnerships. The deadline to express interest in becoming a partner in this collaboration is February 23, 2018.

Smart cities have the potential to improve every aspect of community life from how people move around and live, play, earn a living or learn to how they are empowered to participate in society, interact with the natural environment, or create safe and secure public places.

“Exploring partnerships for this Challenge will help Squamish to further our goals of becoming a socially and economically resilient and progressive community into the future. One that embraces technology to improve the lives of all our residents, innovate the delivery of our services and inspire community-based problem solving,” says Mayor Patricia Heintzman. “We know that our community has and attracts smart, entrepreneurial, and forward-looking individuals and companies, and we’re excited to see what will transpire as we work through this process.”

Potential partnerships could come from within or outside of Squamish from the private sector, education, not-for-profit organizations, or other orders of government.

“This Challenge really focuses on the people that live within communities and how proposed solutions will benefit them, rather than the technology itself,” says Kate Mulligan, the District’s Economic Development Officer. “It is all about empowering communities to think big to solve problems that seem unsolvable, take risks, and look for new ways to tackle problems through data and connected technology.”

Six primary areas of focus have been defined by Infrastructure Canada for the Challenge including economic opportunity, empowerment and inclusion, environmental quality, healthy living and recreation, mobility, and safety and security. The Challenge can be focused on a variety of municipal systems or service areas such as: arts and culture, education and training, economic development, emergency services and enforcement, transportation, environment and land use planning, and should incorporate a number of technology-based solutions from cloud computing to autonomous and connected infrastructure and vehicles.

The District plans to use the draft policies contained within the Squamish 2040 Official Community Plan draft (OCP) that is nearing completion to provide guidance for selecting a project with which to proceed.

A Request for Information  from potential partners has been issued, with a deadline of February 23, 2018 at 2 p.m.

January 29, 2018