Innovative Ideas to Save Communities Billions
17-Nov-2011REGINA/CALGARY – November 17, 2011. Today the Canada West Foundation and Communities of Tomorrow announced an exciting new partnership and initiative to explore and develop innovative solutions, cutting edge technologies and best practices for infrastructure financing and delivery.
Co-sponsored by the Canada West Foundation and Communities of Tomorrow, the initiative called Let’sTOC is focused on the mission of transforming our communities into cost-effective, eco-friendly, economically stable, prosperous, growing and thriving places to live and work. The initiative works to address the challenges associated with growing populations and infrastructure needs that will cost cities billions of dollars a year.
Let’sTOC which stands for “Let’s Transform Our Communities” includes a web-based and social media platform to gather, communicate, advance, and promote innovative and sustainable solutions to municipal infrastructure and finance issues. The platform will have its own website, and will be highly interactive through blogging to draw out relevant and interesting stories, facilitate discussion among professionals, policy-makers and the public, and will create opportunities to share ideas and new approaches. It is intended to gather existing thoughts, research and practical, on-the-ground infrastructure experience, and disseminate the material widely.
Articles, blogs, and news stories presenting fresh and innovative ideas for communities, along with commentary by Canada West Foundation Senior Policy Analyst, Casey Vander Ploeg, will be posted at www.letstoc.ca.
“In an era of looming fiscal constraints for all governments, it is more important than ever to show how innovation can ensure that high quality municipal services can be maintained despite a more constrained financial environment,” said Dr. Roger Gibbins, President and CEO of the Canada West Foundation.
“We are very excited to be working with the Canada West Foundation on this project,” added Communities of Tomorrow President John Lee. “The Foundation has fostered exchanges of ideas on public issues in numerous sectors and we appreciate their leadership on opening up dialogue about innovation in the way we build and operate our infrastructure.”
The initiative is also a lead-up to the 2012 National Infrastructure Summit, scheduled for September 10-12, 2012 in Regina. The materials generated on Let’sTOC will help frame the discussion and set the agenda leading up to the Summit.
According to City of Regina Councillor and Summit Chair Mike O’Donnell, “Let’sTOC is a great fit for the City of Regina’s 2012 National Infrastructure Summit. Innovation in infrastructure—our roads, bridges, sidewalks, water, wastewater and underground pipes—is one of the pillars of the Summit. With the 2012 Summit moving from a theoretical nature to a more practical approach, the addition of the Let’sTOC website is sure to provide and profile many practical and innovative models that will better position municipalities for the 21st Century.”
We want your input! Let’s transform our communities by participating in discussions and debates in the comments section, members’ only forum, on Facebook and Twitter at LetsTOC or email at innovate@letstoc.ca.
Communities of Tomorrow
Communities of Tomorrow (CT) is a public-private partnership with the mission of making Saskatchewan a global leader in the field of municipal infrastructure innovation by creating Canada’s first infrastructure innovation hub. CT brings together industry, municipalities and various stakeholders to find innovative solutions to infrastructure challenges. CT is striving to maximize growth and advance strategic alliances throughout Western Canada. For more information, visit www.communitiesoftomorrow.ca.
Canada West Foundation
Canada West Foundation is the only think tank dedicated to being the objective, nonpartisan voice for issues of vital concern to western Canadians. For 40 years, through its research and commentary, the Foundation has contributed to better government decisions and a stronger Canadian economy. For information, visit www.cwf.ca.
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For more information, or to arrange an interview, please contact:
Michael Zaplitny
Communications Manager
Communities of Tomorrow
250-10 Research Dr., Innovation Place
Regina, SK S4S 7J7
306-522-1897
mzaplitny@communitiesoftomorrow.ca
Grace Kucey
A/VP Operations and Director, Community Outreach
Canada West Foundation
900, 1202 Centre Street SE
Calgary, AB T2G 5A5
403-700-9535
communication@cwf.ca