News Release: Vaughan strengthens networks with global tech leaders

April 5, 2019 2:00 p.m.
City of Vaughan participated in 2019 Smart City Summit and Expo

The City of Vaughan remains committed to using technology to improve the delivery of public services and to elevate the quality of life for citizens, Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua said, following Vaughan’s successful participation in the 2019 Smart City Summit and Expo in Taipei, Taiwan, from March 25 to 29.
 
The City was formally invited by organizers to join this international conference. The mandate of the Council-approved mission is consistent with a June 12, 2018 report calling on staff to “identify best practices from cities around the world that have implemented successful Smart City initiatives to solve challenges based on citizen priorities.”
 
Representing Vaughan were Ward 4 Councillor Sandra Yeung Racco, vice-chair of the Mayor’s Smart City Advisory Task Force; Dennis Cutajar, director, Economic and Cultural Development; and Smart City industry expert Bill Hutchinson, who served as a facilitator and consultant on the Mayor’s Smart City Advisory Task Force. Mr. Hutchinson has extensive experience undertaking Smart City work in key Asian markets.
 
This international conference – the largest event of its kind in Asia – was an important opportunity for the City’s delegation to share existing best practices, learn about emerging and innovative trends in city-building and actively engage economic development leads. The Summit attracted more than 33,000 visitors, 2,000 professionals and 450 exhibitors.  
 
Of note, the delegation took part in the Summit’s International Smart Health Forum, which engaged participants about innovative technologies to improve the delivery of frontline healthcare. The city’s new $1.6-billion Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital will be the first hospital in Canada to feature fully integrated smart technology systems and medical devices that can speak directly to one another to maximize patient care.
 
Vaughan representatives met with senior officials from Global Affairs Canada’s Taipei-based trade office, which held a networking session with 50 Canadian businesses. Over 90 per cent of the foreign-owned companies, operating in York Region, are based in Vaughan and the city’s southern York Region neighbouring communities.
 
City attendees also participated in the Global Mayors’ Summit on international municipal best practices on utilizing Smart City applications and processes, and on how to create a corporate culture of innovation, enterprise and opportunity.
 
During a March 19 Council meeting, Council endorsed Mayor Bevilacqua’s Member’s Resolution for the City to sign a Memorandum of Understanding with US Ignite and to join the organization’s Smart Gigabit Community. This will allow Vaughan to further strengthen professional networks and improve organizational and technical capabilities. It marks another important step forward to build on the City’s focused efforts to be a Smart City leader.
 
The City’s 2019 Budget and 2020-2022 Financial Plan includes approval for a new Smart City study. These efforts will aid greatly in the City’s work to establish a formal Smart City business unit within the Economic and Cultural Development department. The department is currently recruiting for a Project Manager, Smart City Business Program, to develop opportunities and partnerships with Smart City stakeholders both in Canada and abroad, increasing internal and external awareness.  
 
In 2018, Mayor Bevilacqua established the Mayor’s Smart City Advisory Task Force to advance a culture of knowledge and pursue continuous improvement. The group included accomplished representatives with extensive professional experience in the fields of: arts, culture and media; city infrastructure; construction and development; education; environmental sustainability; financial services; healthcare; information and technology; innovation and research; manufacturing; and social issues. There were also seven citizen representatives on the task force.
 
The work undertaken by these thought leaders resulted in a comprehensive submission for the City’s participation in the Government of Canada's Smart Cities Challenge. The heart of the submission calls for the use of Smart City technology to create a Digital Garden. The Digital Garden concept is about breaking down barriers, improving social cohesion and enhancing engagement and civic participation through the creation of community kiosks, known as Local Gardens. Kiosks would include Internet of things (IoT) sensors to gather data on traffic, parking, air quality and attendance at events; provide administrative City procedures, such as online payments and digital deputations; and offer a one-stop shop for government services, including Service Ontario offerings, among other innovative amenities.
 
The 2018-2022 Term of Council Service Excellence Strategic Plan reaffirms a commitment to provide exceptional end-to-end citizen-centred services, enhance access and streamline services with the use of technology.   
 
QUOTE
“The City of Vaughan has a proven track record of using Smart City technology to successfully undertake city-building initiatives and to foster a more promising future for all citizens. Vaughan continues to elevate its reputation as a trusted and sought-after Smart City technology leader. We remain committed to working with local, national and international partners to develop innovative solutions that ultimately improve the human condition for all people.”
-        Mayor Maurizio Bevilacqua
 
QUICK FACTS
  • Vaughan has begun its digital transformation through the development and implementation of its Digital Strategy.
  • Technology has played a vital role in the City’s evolution. The City has embraced the World Council on City Data (WCCD), and in January 2016 Vaughan became the second municipality in Canada to be WCCD ISO 37120 Platinum Certified and will be the first city to pilot the new Smart Cities standard ISO 37122.
  • Vaughan’s first hospital – the new Mackenzie Vaughan Hospital – will be Canada’s first smart hospital and feature fully integrated “smart” technology systems and medical devices.
  • The City’s participation in the Summit was approved during a meeting of Council on Feb. 12, 2019.
 
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