The Community Solutions Network is committed to help communities across Canada develop resilience and appropriate response to crisis. We continuously monitor the Canadian landscape to bring to you the latest news, content and resources, including data and technology solutions to address the current crisis.
Image: Community event photograph of citizens playing a block game with each other.
A space for collaboration
Ideas, inspiration and action to tackle tough challenges, together
Browse resources, connect with other leaders and see practical examples of approaches that can help your community thrive.
Smart Cities Housing SolutionsThe most pressing issue in my community is...
public data
mobility
homelessness
climate
affordable housing
at risk youth
public transit
digital
security
Crisis Response
Building Community Resilience
Featured Content
Smart cities approaches for lasting impact
Getting Started with Community Broadband
Toolkit
Getting Started with Community Broadband
Author(s): Evergreen
Publisher: Evergreen
Date updated: October 2020
Hardware & Software
Podcast
The Future Fix Podcast: Supporting Main Streets
Author(s): Spacing and Evergreen
Publisher: Spacing and Evergreen
Date updated: November 2020
People & Engagement
Calgary Bridge
Report
Building Our Urban Futures: Inside Canada’s Infrastructure and Real Estate Needs
Author(s): Evergreen & Deloitte
Publisher: Evergreen
Date updated: September 2020
Governance
Toolkit
From consultation to co-creation in the open smart city
Author(s): Evergreen
Publisher: Evergreen
Date updated:
People & Engagement
Get Started
There are many ways to take action
An Open Smart City is where all sectors and residents collaborate in mobilizing data and technologies to develop their communities through fair, ethical, and transparent governance that balances economic development, social progress, and environmental responsibility.
Open Smart Cities Report Card
Get a personalized capacity & knowledge report, at no cost
By completing our self-assessment diagnostic questionnaire, the Advisory Service will provide you with a report card that captures your community-level capacities towards the implementation of open smart cities initiatives and practices. To get a link to the questionnaire, contact our team today.
Events
What's coming up?
Date: October 20-November 26
Name: Future Cities Canada: #UnexpectedSolutions
Location: Virtual: Ontario
During this time, the most pressing issues that cities and communities face – housing affordability, climate change, racial justice, mental wellness, income inequality, access to nature – are intensified.
We know it is of utmost importance to bring leaders and innovators from across sectors to tackle these issues and share the inspiration and optimism needed to create a more resilient and sustainable future, together.
Led by Evergreen and hosted by Future Cities Canada, #UnexpectedSolutions is a collaborative platform that harnesses the momentum for change already in progress in cities. By bringing together people, ideas, platforms and innovations from across sectors, we address inequality and climate change, and their impact on our cities.
As a convener, Future Cities Canada is hosting a season of #UnexpectedSolutions. Tap into the tools, workshops, and wisdom from across Canada and around the world.
2020 is a year of change. This critical work starts with us and within our own organizations. Learn more.
Date: August 20
Name: Collision Day: Co-creating Solutions for Connected Communities
Location: Virtual: British Columbia
This Virtual Collision Day is in partnership with BC Tech.
The Network’s Virtual Collision Days are match-matching and capacity-building events that connect emerging technology companies with community leaders. Through these virtual regionally-focused events across the country, start-ups will get the valuable feedback so critical in the early development stages, while community leaders will have the chance to preview the technologies under development that may help serve the needs of their residents.
Through peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and access to key resources on topics related to the future of smart cities, participants will gain valuable tools and create the important connections to advance their community’s needs.
Focus areas include such topics as security, data, procurement, governance, resiliency, and public engagement, to be applied to the unique challenges identified in each region.
If you're a municipal or community leader interested in attending this virtual event, please email us here.
Date: September 17
Name: Collision Day: Building Smart, Safe and Connected Communities Post-COVID
Location: Virtual: Prairie Region
This Virtual Collision Day is in partnership with BC Tech & Tech Manitoba.
The Network’s Virtual Collision Days are match-matching and capacity-building events that connect emerging technology companies with community leaders. Through these virtual regionally-focused events across the country, start-ups will get the valuable feedback so critical in the early development stages, while community leaders will have the chance to preview the technologies under development that may help serve the needs of their residents.
Through peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and access to key resources on topics related to the future of smart cities, participants will gain valuable tools and create the important connections to advance their community’s needs.
Focus areas include such topics as security, data, procurement, governance, resiliency, and public engagement, to be applied to the unique challenges identified in each region.
If you're a municipal or community leader interested in attending this virtual event, please email us here.
Date: October 29
Name: Collision Day
Location: Virtual: Atlantic Region
This Virtual Collision Day is in partnership with Venn Innovation.
The Network’s Virtual Collision Days are match-matching and capacity-building events that connect emerging technology companies with community leaders. Through these virtual regionally-focused events across the country, start-ups will get the valuable feedback so critical in the early development stages, while community leaders will have the chance to preview the technologies under development that may help serve the needs of their residents.
Through peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and access to key resources on topics related to the future of smart cities, participants will gain valuable tools and create the important connections to advance their community’s needs.
Focus areas include such topics as security, data, procurement, governance, resiliency, and public engagement, to be applied to the unique challenges identified in each region.
If you're a municipal or community leader interested in attending this virtual event, please email us here.
Date: November 17
Name: Collision Day: Building Smart, Safe and Connected Communities Post-COVID
Location: Virtual: Ontario
This Virtual Collision Day is in partnership with Communitech.
The Network’s Virtual Collision Days are match-matching and capacity-building events that connect emerging technology companies with community leaders. Through these virtual regionally-focused events across the country, start-ups will get the valuable feedback so critical in the early development stages, while community leaders will have the chance to preview the technologies under development that may help serve the needs of their residents.
Through peer-to-peer knowledge exchange and access to key resources on topics related to the future of smart cities, participants will gain valuable tools and create the important connections to advance their community’s needs.
Focus areas include such topics as security, data, procurement, governance, resiliency, and public engagement, to be applied to the unique challenges identified in each region.
If you're a municipal or community leader interested in attending this virtual event, please email us here.
Smart Cities Challenge
Gain access to all Smart Cities Challenge applications!
Dive deeper into the smart city projects that communities across Canada are implementing using data and connected technology approaches to advance service area priorities and improve the lives of their residents. Learn more about these innovative ideas and the Smart Cities Challenge here.
