COUNTRY | Canada
REGION | Americas
SECTOR | water and waste, other sector (food systems)
SUB-SECTORS | other transport, wireless ICT, other transport, energy distribution, solid waste, water supply, agri-business
QII Principles | Principle 2 Economic Efficiency, Principle 3 Environmental Considerations, Principle 4 Building Resilience, Principle 5 Social Considerations
QII Sub-Principles | 1: Wider economic benefits, 2: Technological innovation, 3: Environmental Impact Mitigation, 4: Resilience, 5: Job creation, 5: Social inclusiveness, 5: Low-income groups, 5: Vulnerable environments, 5: Marginalised groups
Overview
Cost: >$10 Million
Size: The project is expected to benefit the entire population of 226,406.
Parties involved (public and private): Public (City of Guelph and Wellington County, funded by Infrastructure Canada) Relevant contractual details (type, length etc): As winners of the Smart Cities Challenge, the City of Guelph and Wellington County have signed a contribution agreement with the Government of Canada to receive up to $10M in order to carry out their project. The transfer of funds is conditional upon the completion of pre-determined milestones and a requirement to report on results. The agreement is in effect from 2020-2026. Further procurement and contracting is the purview of the city.
Context: An urban-rural partnership, the City of Guelph and Wellington County are known for being an agriculture hub as well a centre for social innovation. This project brings together local expertise to solve complex food problems.
Aim(s) of the project: Our Food Future aims to create Canada?s first circular food economy, by using data and technology to transform the food ecosystem, to increase access to affordable, nutritious food; create new circular food business and collaboration opportunities; and increase economic revenues by reducing or transforming food waste.
Timeline
Key dates including procurement, construction, operations: Start up in 2020, test models by 2022, programming implemented by 2023, completion by 2025.
Relevance to QII
The project aligns most with QII #2, #3, and #5. The outcome of decreasing the amount of waste produced and diverting it from the landfill has clear economic and environmental benefits. Reducing food waste will lead to in cost savings and revenues for circular economy businesses. Meanwhile, circular carbon credits will be issued to business and households to promote adoption of circular practices. Technological innovations used to implement the project include data, sensors, and other forms of connected technology.
The ultimate goal of improving resident access to food speaks to the social considerations of QII 5. Residents in neighbourhoods that most lack access to nutritious food will be prioritized. In addition, circular businesses will boost the local economy and create jobs.
Benefits
Highlights: The project will create a food-secure ecosystem where data and technology are used to help identify and measure aspects of the food system, including where food is needed and how it is being wasted. It will also increase access to nutritious food and help to find ways of repurposing food that is usually thrown out by mapping out data and working with a diverse range of community partners to find innovative solutions. Expected and realised benefits: This project is in early phases, but the expected benefits are increased access to affordable and nutritious food, the creation of new circular economy businesses, and increased revenues from the circular economy.
Metrics
The success of the project is measured and reported through an outcome-based milestone agreement with clear targets set. There are 8 outcomes and 15 performance indicators.
The reporting requirements are laid out in the contribution agreement, which include the frequency of reporting (as defined by their unique milestone agreement). See Annex 2 for specific information.
Name of Institution
Infrastructure Canada
Website URL