Markham, ON
City in Ontario
Canada
Markham, ON implements online voter registration and ballot verification for municipal elections
Elections Markham sent Voter Information Letters with PINs for online registration in seven languages. This automated system used eSignature technology for verification of applicant eligibility. Once registered, voters had the option to fill out their ballots on a secure online platform. Online voters used the Scytl Verify app to confirm ballot receipt and accuracy within 30 minutes of voting. Scytl Verify searches for digital signatures on ballots that are removed once canvassing begins.
Markham, ON
Canada
Markham, ON studies the impacts of decentralized energy generation with Power.House Hybrid Pilot
Ten homes were selected for energy upgrades by Alectra and Enbridge Gas. Rooftop solar installations, on-site batteries, and hybrid heating systems were included in these upgrades. Qualifying homeowners received EV chargers to power their plug-in vehicles. A virtual power plant monitors real-time energy consumption, switching between in-home and grid energy based on current costs. City officials will use pilot results to shape home energy programs in its bid for net-zero emissions by 2050.
Markham, ON
Canada
Markham, ON builds a COVID-19 Virtual Assistant for around-the-clock public service
Markham was the first local government in Canada to use IBM Watson when building the bot. Residents access the assistant by phone or the Access Markham app for pandemic-related conversations. The COVID-19 Virtual Assistant draws on local, provincial, and national data when answering user questions. IBM Watson's machine-learning capabilities allow the bot to learn from each interaction and improve its customer service capabilities.
Markham, ON
Canada
Markham, ON SMART Textile Recycling Program diverts clothing from landfill to second-hand shops
Seventy-seven bins are located near public buildings throughout the city. Residents with old clothing are asked to drop these items in the bins following a ban on textile disposal. Sensors within each bin indicate the volume of use and trigger collection. Lightly used clothing sent to The Salvation Army is placed in its local stores. Clothes that can't be resold are turned into insulation, pillow fill, and car seat fill. Markham saves $86,000 CAD per year from the program.
Markham, ON
Canada
Markham, ON aims for improved senior care through proposed digital platform
The Markham Community Wellness Platform submitted for the Smart Cities Challenge would enable virtual check-ins by doctors and caregivers for seniors unable to leave their houses. City officials and their private partners envision an AI-enabled navigation service to suggest services based on a user's location and needs. Participants maintain full control of their personal data with available information used to refine the platform's recommendations.
Markham, ON
Canada