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November 25, 2021

It takes a network! 9 Canadian smart orgs to follow

Evergreen

If you’re reading this, welcome! You’ve found your way to the Community Solutions Portal.

The Portal is the digital hub of the Community Solutions Network. A program of Future Cities Canada, the Network was designed to help communities build capacity using data and connected technologies. It is a true smart hub, and offers the largest curated collection of smart city resources and tools in Canada. Of course, this outcome is made possible by drawing on the expertise of its diverse and growing network of partners.

In Canada, right now, there are a number of innovators and accelerators doing complimentary and essential work in data and tech. The Community Solutions Network has partnered with many listed below.

Take note, world! And read on to find out who’s who.

9 Canadian Smart Orgs to Follow

Information and Communications Technology Council (ICTC/CTIC)
ICTC offers trusted research, talent solutions, and practical policy advice all in the name of advancing the digital economy in Canada. Look to them for ICT data analysis and research infrastructure with a Canadian lens. They also offer tools and resources for youth.

ICLEI Canada
Focused on sustainable urban development, they work with local governments worldwide. ICLEI Canada invests in the capacity and knowledge needed to design solutions and make decisions informed by data, scientific evidence and local realities and pressures. Resources available on their site include past webinars on topics for smaller communities. They have co-hosted numerous Network events over the last couple of years.

QUEST Canada
QUEST is a national non-government organization that works to accelerate the adoption of efficient and integrated community-scale energy systems in Canada. They offer expertise in building smart energy communities with the help of their national network. QUEST has been an implementation partner for the Network, most recently co-hosting smart energy innovation workshops for francophone and Northern and Indigenous communities.

Canadian Urban Institute (CUI) / Institut Urbain du Canada (IUC)
Through responsive research, engagement and storytelling, CUI/IUC strives to build a more vibrant, equitable, livable, and resilient urban Canada. They organize their work around programs and projects, publications and tools, insights and events. They are national leaders in smart city building and have co-hosted Community Solutions Network community round table events.

MaRS Discovery District
A leader in promoting corporate innovation and social enterprise, MaRS is a major supporter of Canadian tech enterprise start-ups, particularly in these sectors — cleantech, health, fintech and enterprise software. With their Innovation Economic Council, they offer data-driven insights by bringing partners together to collaborate on research projects.

Le Camp
Describing themselves as an incubator and accelerator dedicated to coaching new tech companies and helping them grow, Le Camp offers short or long-term mentorship from advisors (“sherpas”) to new “campers”. Recently, they collaborated with the Network to host a virtual Collision day in Quebec.

Open North / Nord Ouvert
Through research and advisory services, Open North’s data and technology specialists empower communities to reimagine how to use and govern data & tech, and make informed decisions in the public’s interest. They have been the lead technical partner for the Community Solutions Network program.

Code for Canada
A national non-profit helping government and communities implement data and tech solutions. Their programs are intended for skilled design and tech people as well as public servants. Code for Canada has collaborated with the Network on Civic Tech Toolkits.

Canada’s Rural and Remote Broadband Community (CRRBC)
Focused on bringing smart solutions to rural and remote communities with challenges around broadband connectivity; they co-hosted two Innovation workshops with Community Solutions Network, focusing on Northern and Indigenous communities around early 2021.

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