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Top 3 Smart Cities in Canada - 2008 | April 25, 2008
By Peter Wolchak
The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) has rolled out its Smart21 shortlist for its 2008 Intelligent Community of the Year award, and three Canadian cities made the cut. They are Fredericton, N.B., Vancouver and Edmonton. Last year’s winner was Waterloo, Ont.
From the ICF’s Smart21 announcement:
Fredericton: a community of 81,000 that was named the “smartest in North America” by Cisco, Fredericton has used its community network to leverage traditional strengths in forestry and agriculture with new technology. It was cited for its goal to use broadband to enhance “e-democracy” for a new generation of citizens.
Vancouver: with its record low unemployment and rapid rate of growth, this city of 587,891 is enjoying good fortune all around. Its technology industry, especially small businesses, is outpacing the number of workers available. A new private sector based broadband wireless initiative will support a comprehensive technology plan and its website won a Best e-Government award from the UN, which will help the community absorb the activity surrounding its hosting of the 2010 Olympic Games.
Edmonton: the community has begun to realize its economic potential and has put the use of broadband and technology in the centre. It was cited for its historic establishment of computerized medical records, nanotechnology growth and the partnerships between organizations that have commercial discoveries, yielding 70 active spin-off companies and more than 1,000 new jobs.
The Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) has rolled out its Smart21 shortlist for its 2008 Intelligent Community of the Year award, and three Canadian cities made the cut. They are Fredericton, N.B., Vancouver and Edmonton. Last year’s winner was Waterloo, Ont. From the ICF’s Smart21 announcement:
Fredericton: a community of 81,000 that was named the “smartest in North America” by Cisco, Fredericton has used its community network to leverage traditional strengths in forestry and agriculture with new technology. It was cited for its goal to use broadband to enhance “e-democracy” for a new generation of citizens.
Vancouver: with its record low unemployment and rapid rate of growth, this city of 587,891 is enjoying good fortune all around. Its technology industry, especially small businesses, is outpacing the number of workers available. A new private sector based broadband wireless initiative will support a comprehensive technology plan and its website won a Best e-Government award from the UN, which will help the community absorb the activity surrounding its hosting of the 2010 Olympic Games.
Edmonton: the community has begun to realize its economic potential and has put the use of broadband and technology in the centre. It was cited for its historic establishment of computerized medical records, nanotechnology growth and the partnerships between organizations that have commercial discoveries, yielding 70 active spin-off companies and more than 1,000 new jobs.
