Local residents invited to innovate and co-create a Smart Squamish

Public engagement features March 12 symposium and online survey to help shape Squamish’s Smart Cities challenge statement

How would you use technology, innovation and data to improve the lives of citizens in your community? That’s the question being asked of communities across the country as part of Infrastructure Canada’s Smart Cities Challenge. As Squamish considers an application for this Challenge, residents are invited to join in and vet potential business partners and their ideas at an upcoming symposium on March 12, or via an online survey.

Following a request for information from potential Smart Cities partners, the District is seeking community feedback on the 13 partner proposals received, and how they address challenges facing our community. Public engagement is now open through March 19, with the main event being the Squamish Smart Cities Symposium on March 12 from 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. at the West Coast Railway Heritage Park. An online survey and pop-up style engagement booths at key District facilities will provide an avenue for feedback for those who cannot attend the symposium.

“We have an incredible opportunity to create meaningful solutions with the community and build collaborative relationships with some amazing forward-thinking businesses and organizations, that will positively impact all of our residents,” says District of Squamish Mayor Patricia Heintzman. “We’re inviting the entire community to challenge and expand upon these Smart Cities proposals and share your ideas for a stronger, healthier, more connected Squamish of the future.”

Thirteen businesses have jumped on board with proposed solutions ranging from clean energy, smart lighting and air quality to green power and smart waste management: Airborne Underwater Geophysical Signals; BCIT; Bell; Squamish & District Forestry Association; Carbon Engineering; University of British Columbia Clean Energy Research Centre; Ecube Labs Inc.; Genetec Inc.; HydroHaus Horticulture Inc.; Moovee Innovations Inc.; Philips Lighting Canada; Powertech and White Star Ltd. have each brought forward proposals.

Residents are invited to attend the Squamish Smart Cities Symposium to hear from these potential business partners as they present their ideas and collaborate with attendees to address the needs of the community. Attendees will then challenge and expand upon the ideas presented, and to ideate other strategies to see what can be created as a group. Community input from the symposium and online surveys will help to inform a ‘challenge statement’ as a first step in the Smart Cities Challenge application process.

To explore the smart cities proposals, submit your feedback online and learn more about the Squamish Smart Cities Canada Challenge application visit our Smart Cities page.

RSVP to attend the Squamish Smart Cities Symposium here.

March 6, 2018