The Intelligent Community Forum (IFC) has named Toronto its Intelligent Community of the Year at the organization’s annual New York City summit. The title recognizes a community that offers inclusive economic activities, delivers government services in an efficient manner and provides a high standard of life to its citizens through the use of broadband and information technology.

“Toronto was selected because it performed impressively against a set of diverse criteria and focused its academic, creative and private sectors, as well as its City Council leadership on the work and continued success of the entire community,” says IFC co-founder Lou Zacharilla. “In our view, Toronto offers a glimpse of how to flourish in the new economy and of how to adjust to the changes of the digital era.”

This year’s win marks the first time a Canadian city has received the award since 2007, when Waterloo, Ont. took the top honour. Waterfront Toronto CEO John Campbell says the title is a testament to the and some of its projects.

“Our investments in broadband and other infrastructure will support sustainable high-value economic growth,” he says. “Our recent initiative to build a state of the art waterfront Innovation Centre is another example of our commitment to bring smart, next-generation employment and research to the waterfront.”