MRC of Thérèse-De Blainville

$800K for Five AI Pilot Projects in Municipalities

Maria Diamantis-LJI Journalist

The MRC (Regional County Municipality) of Thérèse-De Blainville, led by Eric Westram, Prefect and Mayor of Rosemère, alongside Julie Boivin, Deputy Prefect and Mayor of Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, and other council members, unveiled the inaugural projects chosen for the “Signature Innovation” initiative, marking a significant stride in the application of artificial intelligence (AI) within municipal operations.
The initiative has attracted considerable attention, distributing nearly $800,000 across five pilot projects from a total fund of $2.3 million. These projects, rooted in AI, aim to tackle various municipal challenges, including climate change adaptation. The funding, part of a larger $3 million agreement with the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing (MAMH), underscores the region’s commitment to innovative municipal solutions. The projects will be supported by IVÉO, an organization dedicated to assisting small and medium-sized cities in implementing innovative solutions.
Innovative Projects on the Horizon
The selected startups will undertake ambitious projects designed to enhance municipal infrastructure and services. Among them, the projects include:
• Niosense: Focused on sustainable mobility, this initiative aims to enhance transportation efficiency by reducing unnecessary stops at traffic lights through improved synchronization.
• Civilia: Another project aimed at sustainable mobility, Civilia will develop advanced modeling of existing cycling networks to create a platform that measures the impact of construction work on sustainable mobility.
• XEOS and K2 Geospatial: Concentrating on environmental and climate change issues, this project will monitor urban heat islands and air quality, while also developing predictive analytics for tree health.
• CANN Forecast: Dedicated to water economy, this project will diagnose the condition of water mains and predict water consumption patterns using machine learning techniques for predictive maintenance.
• Acara Climate: This initiative focuses on public policy and climate risk management, offering software that supports resilient land use planning and assesses future vulnerability to climate impacts.
A Pioneering Effort in Municipal AI
The MRC of Thérèse-De Blainville aims to be at the forefront of integrating AI into municipal operations to address unprecedented challenges such as climate change, aging infrastructure, economic complexities, and labor shortages.
“The projects selected will contribute in their own unique ways to making the municipalities of the MRC of Thérèse-De Blainville more innovative and resilient in combating climate change. Whether focusing on water protection, enhancing sustainable mobility, energy recovery, or environmental protection, their outcomes will positively impact the community,” stated Andrée Laforest, Minister of Municipal Affairs.
This initiative not only supports the regional economy by allowing local businesses to develop and test new technologies but also encourages public-private partnerships that generate solutions beneficial to all municipalities within the environmental sector.
With a second round of project proposals already underway and expected to be announced by fall 2024, the MRC of Thérèse-De Blainville is keen to continue building its reputation as an innovative and resilient leader in the face of climate challenges.

MRC of Thérèse-De Blainville Launches 26th Edition of OSEntreprendre Challenge in the Laurentides

Local Journalism Initiative / North Shore News / February 9, 2024 / Laurentides, Maria Diamantis, MRC of Thérèse-De Blainville, OSEntreprendre

Maria Diamantis – LJI journalist

The MRC of Thérèse-De Blainville, led by Mr. Eric Westram, the prefect, and Mr. Derick Fonseca, president of Le Bon Plan Marketing, kicked off the 26th edition of the OSEntreprendre Challenge during a press conference. This annual event promotes entrepreneurial initiatives and attracts approximately 47,000 participants, ranging from young students to seasoned business leaders.

The OSEntreprendre Challenge is a significant movement in Quebec, supporting various entrepreneurial activities through its different components. It encourages students, new entrepreneurs, and established business owners, all contributing to the vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem of Quebec. The challenge operates at the local, regional, and national levels, with over 300 leaders actively involved in highlighting local projects.

The MRC of Thérèse-De Blainville’s Economic Development Department coordinates the Business Creation component of the challenge. Eligible entrepreneurs must establish a company that had not generated income before April 1, 2023, with the startup date set no later than December 31, 2024. To ensure the validity of their registration, participating companies must be registered with the Quebec Business Registry. Businesses will be categorized into seven groups: biofood, social economy, technological and technical innovation, commerce, services to individuals, services to businesses, and exploitation/processing/production.

Evaluation of entrepreneurs occurs at three levels: local (MRC de Thérèse-De Blainville), followed by regional (the Laurentides), and then the winners have the opportunity to represent their administrative region at the provincial level. The assessment criteria include the quality of the business plan, originality and innovation, entrepreneurial profile, social impact, profitability, sustainability, and more.

Mr. Westram, expressed his pride in launching the 26th edition of the OSEntreprendre Challenge within their territory, emphasizing the importance of supporting emerging SMEs and showcasing their potential. He said, “We hope, once again, to unearth some great entrepreneurial gems in our territory.”

Mr. Derick Fonseca, shared a message with aspiring entrepreneurs, stating, “Being an entrepreneur means working harder than as an employee, without the security, stability, and above all, not having recognition from an employer. The OSEntreprendre Challenge is your moment! The moment to celebrate entrepreneurship and the courage of all the people behind these great businesses. People who have worked with a vision and dared to undertake!”

Important dates to remember include project registration by Tuesday, March 12, 2024, at 4:00 p.m. at the latest. The local gala of the OSEntreprendre Challenge will take place on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, at the Professional Training Center in New Technologies; Mille-Îles School Service Center; 75, rue Duquet; Sainte-Thérèse (Quebec) J7E 5R8. It’s an exciting opportunity for entrepreneurs to showcase their innovative ideas and business plans while celebrating entrepreneurship in the region.

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