Winnipeg, MB – Winnipeg is a driver of innovation, and the City of Winnipeg is looking for resident input to help make Winnipeg a better place. As part of the Federal Government’s Smart Cities Challenge, Canadian communities are being asked to come up with a big idea that improves the lives of their residents through innovation, data, and connected technology, and submit an application to win up to $50 million. The City of Winnipeg is asking all Winnipeggers to think big and to send their most innovative ideas to the City, to be considered as part of the City’s ongoing work on the official submission.
“Technology and innovation are the fuel for growth and the new economy, and innovation is what we do best in Winnipeg,” said Mayor Brian Bowman. “The Smart Cities Challenge is an opportunity for our Chief Innovation Officer to work with the public service and all interested citizens to advance the best idea we have as a community and demonstrate what innovation means at the City of Winnipeg of the future.”
“There are so many passionate, knowledgeable, and innovative individuals in Winnipeg, and we want to hear from,” said Michael Legary, the City of Winnipeg’s Chief Innovation Officer. “We want residents to look for opportunities they see in Winnipeg, and provide their ambitious ideas that would have the greatest positive impact on our City.”
The Chief Innovation Officer has been collaborating with a working group, looking at innovative ideas that were previously submitted from community organizations and City staff.
The City is now seeking submissions from the public, and will work to refine the ideas into a large-scale proposal under one of the following focus areas:
- A big idea
- Ideas that are big in scope and thinking.
- Safety and security
- Ideas that make Winnipeg safer and more secure for our people and communities.
- Vibrant communities
- Ideas that make a community more vibrant, engaged, and connected.
- Public and active transportation
- Ideas that make public and active transportation more available and effective.
- Environment
- Ideas that will improve the environment in and around Winnipeg for future generations.
- Accessibility and quality of life
- Ideas that make information or services available to more people or improve quality of life.
- Information driven
- Ideas that use information to improve quality of life or reduce costs.
- Transparency and engagement
- Ideas on how the City of Winnipeg can be more transparent and engage citizens more frequently in decisions that impact them.
Winnipeggers can get involved by:
- Submitting an idea online from February 2 to February 22, 2018,
- Selecting their favourite submissions online from February 2 to February 22, 2018, and
- Engaging in online discussions using #SmartCityWpg
The City of Winnipeg proposal will be submitted to the Smart Cities Challenge in April 2018.
To submit ideas, or for more information, visit winnipeg.ca/smartcity