Saskatoon’s smart cities challenge is moving into the final phase. Its mission statement in the Federal competition to improve Canadian life through technology and data, is to reduce the cycle of Indigenous youth incarceration through purpose, belonging, security and identity. Director of Recreation and Community Development Lynne Lacroix says the next step is consultation with the youth advisory group and those who work with young people at risk. Residents will get to try out prototypes at community forums and demonstration stations in about six to eight weeks. Lacroix says the goal is to have a finished product before they meet with the competition’s jury in January with judging to take place in early 2019. Saskatoon’s entry is one of ten who made it to the final round, earning 250-thousand dollars.
The winners will be announced next spring.