The Smart Cities Challenge was a federal Infrastructure Canada competition launched in 2017 where Canadian communities competed for funding to implement innovative technology-driven solutions to local challenges. Communities submitted proposals addressing issues like mobility, environmental sustainability, economic opportunity, or quality of life, with winning communities receiving up to $50 million. The program aimed to encourage data-driven decision making and innovative approaches to urban problems. Winning communities included those addressing food security, Indigenous reconciliation, mobility for persons with disabilities, and environmental monitoring. While the original challenge has concluded, it demonstrated federal interest in supporting municipal innovation and the potential for technology to address community challenges.