In today’s fast-paced world, technology is more than just a convenience; it’s a necessity. This is especially true for local governments striving to meet the evolving needs of their communities. 

The City of Kitchener (CoK) and Bruce County Municipal Innovation Council (MIC) have been instrumental in driving innovation to address challenges and improve the quality of life for residents.

“Technology has become a big part of how we do things in our daily lives,” Courtney Zinn, Manager, ERP Strategy and Support at CoK, said. “We recognize that our residents have certain expectations, and they expect the city to leverage technology to provide more options and conveniences.”

The increasing role of technology in local government is driven by the public's rising expectations for instant access to information. To meet these demands, municipalities in Bruce County are investing in technology to deliver services. 

In 2020, municipalities in Bruce County formed the MIC to explore innovative projects.

“The focus was on finding ways to improve our municipal services by being more effective and cost-efficient,” Tony Houad, Director, Municipal Innovation Council, said.

Feedback on these technological investments has been positive, indicating that the public values the improvements.

The power of innovation

The MIC and CoK have undertaken various projects that leverage technology and use data to inform decision-making.

The Growing Together project, launched by CoK, used 3D printed models and robust data analysis tools to gather resident feedback and inform policy development.

“We gathered their feedback and utilized advanced data analysis tools to evaluate the results more comprehensively than before,” Zinn said. “This approach not only provided broader and deeper insights but also directly informed policy development, effectively connecting residents with the policymaking process.”

The MIC’s Smart Beach initiative, launched in collaboration with the University of Windsor and the University of Waterloo, utilizes advanced technology to monitor water quality, currents and tide levels, enhancing beach safety and public awareness.

“It is a warning system to help beachgoers look at what are some of the areas that they need to beware of,” Houad said. “We've been getting some very good comments from the public on developing that and that's something that we're hoping to continue to roll out to various municipalities within Bruce County.”

Another project, the Digital Mapping Solution, employed AI and machine learning to enhance the delivery of GIS data for municipal and conservation activities and improve efficiency in planning, permitting and data management by leveraging advanced technology to capture and learn from information.

The power of collaboration

Collaboration is at the heart of innovation for both organizations as they understand that advancing technology and solving complex community challenges require the collective efforts of diverse stakeholders.

“Collaboration is key to driving innovation,” Houad said. 

By working with environmental organizations, academia, government and industry partners, the MIC and CoK have fostered a culture of innovation and accelerated the adoption of new technologies.

Joining forces with Georgian College, the MIC has developed a roadmap for municipal fleet electrification, offering municipalities expert guidance and support to seamlessly transition to electric vehicle fleets.

Furthermore, the MIC is actively seeking partnerships with tech companies to identify and support innovative solutions to community challenges. 

Zinn believes that collaboration allows cities to tap into fresh ideas and technologies, while providing tech companies with valuable market opportunities and insights.

“It gives us the opportunity for give and take, co-creation and collaboration to create robust and meaningful solutions with a big impact on our community,” she said. “It's about working together, each bringing unique perspectives, skills and knowledge to the table.”

Recently, both the MIC and CoK have extended their collaborative efforts by partnering with the Communitech Fast Track Cities program which offers a unique opportunity for municipalities to connect with innovative tech solutions and address pressing challenges. By participating in this program, municipalities can explore potential partnerships, accelerate the adoption of new technologies and drive positive change in their communities.