The digital innovations outlined in the report range from weather-responsive heated pavement meant to prevent ice and snow build-up to pedestrian detectors at crosswalks.

Tory said on Monday that the federal government will be backing almost $12 million into projects, while the city will provide an additional $18 million. 

The study released Tuesday was conducted by the International Association for Great Lakes Research in Ann Arbor, Michigan.

The Quayside project, led by Alphabet Inc.-backed entity Sidewalk Labs and Waterfront Toronto, has been a lightning rod for data and privacy concerns due to the vast amounts of information it could collect through phones, sensors and other devices used in neighbourhood.

The proposal has been marred by questions over how data will be collected, kept, accessed and protected.

Ontario Power Generation announced Thursday that it had sold the plant to its long-term tenant, Studios of America Limited Partnership, noting the film company exercised the right to purchase laid out in its lease.

Ann Cavoukian says she stepped down from Google sister company Sidewalk Labs on Friday following a meeting earlier in the week.

Presented by the Waterfront BIA, the group of eight musically trained perform impromptu a cappella renditions of classic summer hits and modern contemporary tunes five days a week from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. until Sept. 3.

The giant beach balls will be suspended from a large frame in HTO Park as part of the Redpath Waterfront Festival in June.

It was announced in October that Sidewalk Labs won a competition to partner with Waterfront Toronto to develop the Quayside neighbourhood "from the Internet up" with features including roads designed for driverless cars, environmentally friendly design and innovative infrastructure. Its plans will ultimately need government approval before any construction moves forward.