Communities of Tomorrow at Toronto Conference

President John Lee took the message of Communities of Tomorrow to the “Future of Canada’s Infrastructure” annual conference in Toronto on September 29th and 30th.  Lee made a major presentation to the conference, which brings together representatives of federal, provincial and municipal governments and infrastructure industry experts.  He was joined on the podium by Kim Sare, Sustainable Communities Coordinator for the City of Regina.
 
“We felt this was a tremendous opportunity to speak to a broad audience of people involved in sustainable infrastructure development,” said Lee. “It gave us the chance to engage with others who are working towards the same ends elsewhere as Communities of Tomorrow is pursuing in Saskatchewan.”

Lee used his time at the podium to discuss the challenges and opportunities of innovative infrastructure in Canada, and abroad.

“I invited the audience to consider the vast opportunities that exist for Canadian companies and municipalities that are developing innovative sustainable infrastructure projects,” said Lee.  “When you look at Canada’s existing infrastructure deficit at over one hundred billion dollars, the opportunity to export the knowledge we are developing here amounts to a staggering market worldwide.”

Kim Sare told the conference about the partnership arrangement between the City of Regina and Communities of Tomorrow that provides the “living lab” for field-testing new ideas in the real world of municipal infrastructure systems.

“I was very pleased to have Kim join me,” said Lee.  “She was able to illustrate how municipalities can benefit from this kind of relationship with the business and research communities.”

As a result of the presentation, John Lee and Communities of Tomorrow staff members were able to make personal contact with a number of interested parties who will be useful resources in the future.