Where innovation meets open minds

NEWMARKET NAMED ONE OF THE WORLD’S MOST INTELLIGENT COMMUNITIES In late 2019, the Intelligent Community Forum (ICF) named Newmarket one of the 21 communities across the globe that is most ready to face the 21st century. The Smart21 communities are selected from hundreds of communities around the world and evaluated based on six factors (advocacy, broadband, digital equality, knowledge workforce, innovation and sustainability).

These communities are recognized as applying these principles to build local economic expansion and prosperity, social health and cultural richness. Newmarket joined four other Canadian cities and nine other nations, including Taiwan, USA, Estonia, France, Australia and New Zealand. This honour truly demonstrates Newmarket’s commitment to improving quality of life through technology and innovation.

REVVING IT UP TO INCREASE VALUE AND EFFICIENCIES IN NEWMARKET

In 2019, the Town of Newmarket conducted a detailed Administrative Service Delivery Review, REV it UP (Revenue, Efficiency and Value add) campaign. The Town worked with its consultant, StrategyCorp, to create a plan that realized over 150 improvement opportunities. This initiative was made possible as the result of a $172,000 grant the Town of Newmarket received from the Province of Ontario’s Audit and Accountability Fund.

MAYOR HOSTS FIRST LIVESTREAMED TOWN HALL MEETING

In 2019, before the pandemic and significant shift to virtual and expanded online engagement, Mayor John Taylor hosted the first-ever live/ virtual Town Hall meeting where residents had the opportunity to attend in person along with hundreds participating live on Facebook from the comfort of their own home.

Throughout the pandemic, Newmarket has continued to engage the community virtually in many new and creative ways.

TOWN TO LEASE HERITAGE PROPERTY FOR MUCH-NEEDED CHILD CARE CENTRE

After a comprehensive procurement process in 2019, the Town entered into a lease agreement with Denison Childcare for the rental of the historic Stickwood-Walker farmhouse and surrounding preservation area. Denison Childcare is proposing to revitalize the farmhouse while maintaining the historical façade. The William Stickwood House (also known as the Stickwood- Walker Farm) has a long history as part of the Newmarket community and received a Municipal Heritage Designation in 1998 under the Ontario Heritage Act in recognition of its architectural and historical value. The plans include a new 5,000 square foot facility to provide much-needed childcare to the community.

DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION STRATEGY SETS THE STAGE FOR A MORE INNOVATIVE AND DIGITAL NEWMARKET

A new Digital Transformation Strategy (DTS) will act as the blueprint for the Town to continue to improve service delivery to residents, while finding operational efficiencies and building a digital future. Developed in collaboration with StrategyCorp, the DTS provides a Digital Vision and Guiding Principles that will lead Newmarket into the future.

FIRST COMMUNITY IN NORTH AMERICA TO PARTNER WITH CATCHCORNER BY SPORTS ILLUSTRATED

Newmarket is the first municipality in North America to launch a partnership with Torontobased sports technology company, CatchCorner by Sports Illustrated. This comprehensive software is helping to modernize and simplify the Town’s facility booking process. The launch of the booking platform started with ice rinks with plans to expand to other service booking, including halls, meeting spaces and outdoor recreation locations. The free app, which launched in April 2019, is growing in popularity among sports enthusiasts. The partnership gives the Town a presence in a growing marketplace where people are looking for rentals.

ENVI: INCREASING CONNECTIVITY THROUGH BROADBAND

ENVI, the Town’s municipally-owned internet service provider, continues to make significant progress in building a pure fibre optic network and providing affordable, enhanced internet connectivity to existing and new businesses in the community. The investment in broadband infrastructure provides the foundation for a number of future applications to be deployed within the Town of Newmarket. Newmarket continues to focus on enhancing the community through various Smart City initiatives.

For more information, visit envinetwork.com