The Government of BC is making sure the little guys are not forgotten about, and that is a very fitting way to announce the BC Smart Communities Pilot Program.
The initiative aims towards aiding smaller municipalities with the use of data and connected technology to improve services and address community challenges.
“The BC Smart Communities program will help address the unique challenges small communities face when trying to secure funding for smart city projects,” said Bruce Ralston, Minister of Jobs, Trade, and Technology. “Whether it’s tracking cycling habits, to planning bike lanes, offering a mobile app to quickly find services, or tracking air quality to fostering responsible wood burning, the smart city economy offers countless solutions that can benefit people.”
The Smart Cities Challenge is a competition open to all municipalities and Indigenous communities across Canada, which asks them to address local issues their residents face through new partnerships, using a smart cities approach.
A smart cities approach means achieving meaningful outcomes for residents through the use of data and connected technology. It has the potential to enhance community life, from improving the way people live and move around, to creating a safer and more sustainable environment.
“Technology and data have enormous potential to improve a community’s infrastructure and decision making,” said Selina Robinson, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Housing. “The BC Smart Communities program gives local governments the opportunity to take targeted action on important issues that can have a lasting positive impact on British Columbians’ everyday lives.”
BC Smart Communities is a one-year pilot project that is open to BC municipalities and First Nations communities with populations under 30,000. Grants of up to $40,000 will be provided to as many as four communities. Deadline for applications, is July 13th, 2018.
More on the BC Smart Communities Pilot Program can be found here.
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