One of the largest issues facing North America is the consequences and health effects related to an increasing stagnant lifestyle. This is especially true of marginalized and vulnerable groups such the elderly and lower income families. For this reason I believe any public money invested in recreational infrastructure would be better invested in public parks and the YMCA, which already has programs in place to help vulnerable populations access their facilities. This expansion could include things like an indoor walking track for seniors, a larger aquatic centre, new gym, and much more. Some of this would be a great fit for the current YMCA location but a satellite location could also be established somewhere walkable and easily accessible by those without access to transportation. I think it would also be great to see a collaboration with public works and recreation to establish free to access outdoor facilities of a more specialized nature. A number of specialized facilities, decided by the public, throughout the town connected by active transportation like a splash park, a climbing wall or a bike park. This could be a really great fit for kids and families that may not be able to commit to membership fees.

Implement an automated bike sharing program (bixie) that allows residents and tourists to get around the town. Stations at waterfront, lighthouse, Starr’s road

Plastic bags can take centuries to decompose yet we use plastic bags for trash and recyclables. I propose the town invest in blue bins and trash bins to be given to each household. Reusable shopping bags can cause cross contamination. The use of brown paper bags is the solution. Let's lead the way in helping the environment with this new (old) idea! The older generation had it right.

Improving the drinking water system in the Town of Yarmouth using the patented water locker system which is designed to provide and maintain an adequate amount of the safest drinking water available in any geographical location to all residential and commercial users.

Men in Yarmouth do not have a place to stay if they are homeless. Youth can go to the SHYFT House and women can go to Juniper House. We have had several men show up at our church looking for a place to stay. Unfortunately, we have no place to refer them to. Following on the heels of 100 Meals, this shelter could provide meals for the homeless as well. Funding would be used for securing a place and funding staff.

Applicant: Sanddawn57. Problem Statement: 1.The Town of Yarmouth, being a coastal community, has extreme weather conditions. Lots of rain, fog, ice and wind. Outside of the summertime, it can be difficult to enjoy the outside, and to shop Downtown due to temperature and weather systems. 2. The Town has positioned itself to welcome tourists to Nova Scotia with the investment of the US ferry service. However, there is a lack of access to assured accommodations for those coming to the region. 3. The dynamics of the tourism and holiday park industry are constantly changing; consumer recommendations, institutional investment, and the "stay-cation" all influence the market and represent opportunities. The Town needs to stay ahead of the tourism trends, and offer opportunities to attract people to our community. There is also opportunity for this type of development to create more job opportunities for local people. Solutions: 1. An indoor resort that can be used all year round but is intended to offer recreation and other services to residents and tourists in the winter months. 2. A Tourism strategy for the Town of Yarmouth to become a Canadian leader in Tourism innovation. 3. Develop an internship/fellowship or education opportunity to bring new minds and ideas to the Tourism industry with funding to implement ideas provided they are well researched, developed and all success and lessons learned are documented. For more details on this idea and how it connects to the Smart City Approach, check out the Smart City Finalists document in the document library. Please vote and share! You can make a difference in your community.

Applicant: Voteforchange with contribution from Janet Sollows. Problem Statement: Unemployment, mental illness and inability to access secure and stable housing are all issues that have been identified within the Town of Yarmouth. As a service centre for South West Nova Scotia and being more built up in comparison to outlying areas, the Town has found that vulnerable individuals are drawn to this area for the rental housing, minimum wage job opportunities and access to public transportation. Solution: The Town to provide an incentive for an innovation challenge for a new development within the Town of Yarmouth. A competition to inspire new models of cooperative housing to address existing issues in Town. The Town will provide a prize for the best new structure and then assist the winner in implementing the development through land donation, tax breaks, and other methods. The proposed objective of the competition will be to identify different models of collective purchasing which generate better quality or price of goods and services for consumers, can be sustained, and have the most potential to create social benefits. For more details on this idea and how it connects to the Smart City Approach, check out the Smart City Finalists document in the document library. Please vote and share! You can make a difference in your community.

Applicant: Fundylass Problem Statement: 1.Rural Town's often have limited cultural diversity in their population for this reason many residents of this area have had limited exposure to people, food, and experiences from other cultures. 2. The Town has a declining population and a limited job force. Solution: 1. Develop an immigration strategy and approaches to draw new residents and families to live and work in this area. 2. Host Town led cultural events and opportunities for visitors and residents to spread awareness of existing cultures and races in our area. For more details on this idea and how it connects to the Smart City Approach, check out the Smart City Finalists document in the document library. Please vote and share! You can make a difference in your community.

Applicant: Sue Amon Problem Statement: Nova Scotia is leading the way in Canada and for most of North America in waste removal and reduction. The Town owns and operated its own compost facility. While the Town has moved to a clear plastic bag system to reduce contamination, we are still using plastic bags. In addition, while our compost facility is following necessary guidelines, there are still large particles in the final compost product which is undesirable. Solution: 1. An improved and innovative waste removal and processing system to increase sustainability as well as the sorting, recycling and composting process. 2. An innovative solution for sorting smaller materials out of the composing process. For more details on this idea and how it connects to the Smart City Approach, check out the Smart City Finalists document in the document library. Please vote and share! You can make a difference in your community.

Applicant Rderek with contribution from Holyroller, NovaScotiaJess, and Gil Dares Problem Statement: One of the largest issues facing North America is the consequences and health effects related to an increasingly stagnant lifestyle. This is especially true in marginalized and vulnerable groups such as elderly and low income families. For this reason, public money should be invested in recreational infrastructure that is developed for these groups and offered for free. Solution: 1. A community physical activity strategy that identifies vulnerable and marginalized groups and recommends recreation opportunities that would appeal to them. 2. Implement recommendations from the community physical activity strategy through a non-profit (such as the YMCA) or government organization and offer for free. For more details on this idea and how it connects to the Smart City Approach, check out the Smart City Finalists document in the document library. Please vote and share! You can make a difference in your community.