Smart Waterloo Region aims to make the region the best community in Canada for children and youth

Smart Waterloo Region (SWR) announced yesterday the revitalization of its program and mandate to make Waterloo Region the best community in Canada for children and youth by 2040.

The SWR program was initiallity created in 2019 when the region and seven area municipalities entered the federal government's Smart Cities Challenge, making it to the finals. Though they didn't win, the region, its seven cities and townships, and the Lyle S Hallman Foundation have come together to fund the program themselves. 

SWR’s mandate aims to make a lasting, positive change to how our community works for and with youth. The program acts “as a bridge to the future by creating a model that places children and youth at the centre of our community,” the press release states, by examining the community across social, economic, and environmental dimensions. 

“We are using data, technology and community partnerships to support and fund solutions benefiting children and youth,” said Grayson Bass, Innovation Lab Manager, Smart Waterloo Region. “The data is then used to build and pilot tools, policies and knowledge that can then be used to empower both citizens and government.”

“The Region and our area municipalities is proud to be supporting Smart Waterloo Region and our community to bring this vision to life,” said Regional Chair, Karen Redman. “It’s our responsibility to do the best we can for the children and youth in our community, and this initiative is going to be a catalyst towards keeping that commitment in the forefront of our decision making.”  

For more information on Smart Waterloo Region, visit www.engagewr.ca/Smart-Waterloo-Region-2021.