Leverage ideas from the Smart Cities Challenge to select winners from communities of all sizes, and test new, Indigenous-led projects through the Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative.

What success looks like

Winners from communities of all sizes are selected in the Smart Cities Challenge in Spring 2019. Funding is provided through the Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative for new approaches in the design and construction of Indigenous-led home and community innovation projects for First Nations (on and off reserve), Inuit and Métis peoples living in rural and urban communities.

Government's narrative on progress

On November 23, 2017, the government launched the Smart Cities Challenge. On June 1, 2018, the finalists were announced at the 2018 Federation of Canadian Municipalities meeting in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Final proposals were received on March 4, 2019, and the Challenge is on track to announce winners in May 2019. The Indigenous Homes Innovation Initiative, a partnership between Indigenous Services Canada and Infrastructure Canada, will also be launched in April 2019. The Initiative will provide funding to creative projects led by Indigenous peoples to design and build more effective, sustainable, and culturally appropriate living spaces for Indigenous peoples. From start to finish, this innovation initiative will be overseen by an Indigenous Steering Committee.

Note: this is the government's own description, not an independent assessment.