The MRC (Regional County Municipality) of Thérèse-De Blainville, led by Eric Westram, Prefect and Mayor of Rosemère, alongside Julie Boivin, Deputy Prefect and Mayor of Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, and other council members, unveiled the inaugural projects chosen for the “Signature Innovation” initiative, marking a significant stride in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) within municipal operations.
The initiative has attracted considerable attention, distributing nearly $800,000 across five pilot projects from a total fund of $2.3 million. These projects, rooted in AI, aim to tackle various municipal challenges, including climate change adaptation. The funding, part of a larger $3 million agreement with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAMH), underscores the region’s commitment to innovative municipal solutions. The projects will be supported by IVÉO, an organization dedicated to assisting small and medium-sized cities in implementing innovative solutions.
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Innovative Projects on the Horizon
The selected startups will undertake ambitious projects designed to enhance municipal infrastructure and services. Among them, the projects include:
- Niosense: Focused on sustainable mobility, this initiative aims to enhance transportation efficiency by reducing unnecessary stops at traffic lights through improved synchronization.
- Civilia: Another project aimed at sustainable mobility, Civilia will develop advanced modeling of existing cycling networks to create a platform that measures the impact of construction work on sustainable mobility.
- XEOS and K2 Geospatial: Concentrating on environmental and climate change issues, this project will monitor urban heat islands and air quality, while also developing predictive analytics for tree health.
- CANN Forecast: Dedicated to water economy, this project will diagnose the condition of water mains and predict water consumption patterns using machine learning techniques for predictive maintenance.
- Acara Climate: This initiative focuses on public policy and climate risk management, offering software that supports resilient land use planning and assesses future vulnerability to climate impacts.
A Pioneering Effort in Municipal AI
The MRC of Thérèse-De Blainville aims to be at the forefront of integrating AI into municipal operations to address unprecedented challenges such as climate change, aging infrastructure, economic complexities, and labor shortages.
“The projects selected will contribute in their own unique ways to making the municipalities of the MRC of Thérèse-De Blainville more innovative and resilient in combating climate change. Whether focusing on water protection, enhancing sustainable mobility, energy recovery, or environmental protection, their outcomes will positively impact the community,” stated Andrée Laforest, Minister of Municipal Affairs.
This initiative not only supports the regional economy by allowing local businesses to develop and test new technologies but also encourages public-private partnerships that generate solutions beneficial to all municipalities within the environmental sector.
With a second round of project proposals already underway and expected to be announced by fall 2024, the MRC of Thérèse-De Blainville is keen to continue building its reputation as an innovative and resilient leader in the face of climate challenges.
