In partnership with our municipal members, SIPP has started to shape a new project called the Civic Tech Hub. Also working together with the Government of BC and the Federal Government, the Civic Tech Hub will introduce new approaches to Municipal procurement that not only spark innovation in the local economy, but provide governments with ways to test new ideas, collaborate on solutions, and work with start- ups, students, and local post-secondaries more easily.
Civic Solutions Hub
As a capital city region, we can play a role in turning our large public administration sector into local spin-off in the private sector to create clean, household-sustaining jobs for the next generation.
This first-of-its-kind project will also explore the potential to develop a business accelerator component, pending new grant opportunities. Esri Canada is committed as lead partner in this initiative. Stay tuned for more details.
Indigenous Micro Transit
Southern Vancouver Island (Capital Region) is home to 10 First Nations, each with their own unique challenges. One of the common challenges they all face is their limited participation in the region’s educational and economic opportunities. This is due to their respective geographic isolations, small critical mass (in terms of scaling a solution) and non-accessible transportation (taxis are too expensive, not all users have access to personal automobiles, and BC Transit is not mandated or funded to service these regions). Over the last year, South Island Prosperity Partnership (SIPP) has engaged in dialogue with many of the Indigenous leaders (both on and off reserve, as well as Camosun College and W̱SÁNEĆ School) and a project emerged around the concept of micro or “on-demand” transit. This project could be effectively incorporated into the BC Transit system in a seamless way. Ensuring students and adults alike are able to participate in regional opportunities. SIPP, along with Camosun College are developing an Indigenous On-Demand Transit pilot project to explore how to address these growing issues.
Stay tuned for more details as the project develops.