Connected Community / Smart City TO

A smart city improves access to the information and data a city needs to help it become an economically, socially and environmentally-connected community. The City’s goal is to ensure that people are included and easily connected – not divided – in this digital city. This could mean finding new ways for residents and businesses to improve navigating Toronto or accessing City services or even engaging with their local government.

Here are some examples of how we’re using technology and data to improve connection and convenience:

• Free W-Fi Pilot Project trials the provision of free Wi-Fi to apartment neighbourhoods;
• The COVID-19 Chatbot can help to answer questions about City services, health, business support and more;
• Transportation Innovation Zones test transportation and public realm approaches and technologies in a real-world environment;
• Open Data helps solve civic issues; and
• Automated water meters send water use data directly to the City for reading and billing purposes.

Cities for Digital Rights

In June 2019, City Council directed City staff to sign on to the Declaration of Cities Coalition for Digital Rights. In October 2019, the City of Toronto joined over 25 cities around the world to sign the Declaration to further ensure equitable and safe access to digital technology in Toronto.