id8 Downsview

The Downsview Lands in north Toronto surround Downsview Park, one of Toronto’s largest urban green spaces. Over time, the lands around the park will be developed to become sustainable, vibrant, interconnected, and complete communities. They will incorporate excellent transit, walking and cycling networks, green and open spaces, and create new opportunities to connect Downsview Park to the wider community.

Canada Lands’ interests are twofold: first, preserving and enhancing Downsview Park and second, the planning and development of the surrounding lands.

REIMAGINING THE FUTURE OF DOWNSVIEW TOGETHER

The Company is working with its neighbouring landowner, Northcrest Developments, to plan a large portion of the Downsview lands, a sector that includes the airport, Downsview West (Sheppard) and Downsview East (Chesswood) districts, and Allen West district (a portion of the Allen lands), representing one of the largest redevelopment sites in Toronto. With the airport closed  at the end of March 2024,  there’s an important opportunity to revisit the land use and development framework for the Downsview Lands. Northcrest Developments, a subsidiary of the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSPIB), Canada Lands, and the City of Toronto are nearing the end of a multi-year process that will establish the comprehensive planning framework for the future of the 520-acre site. Downsview Park is not formally part of the planning process but will be enhanced as it will continue to be the heart of the community.

Canada Lands and Northcrest are striving to achieve a future that demonstrates how to build sustainable, resilient, vibrant, healthy and complete communities. A key part of the planning and development process involves working closely with residents and communities, Indigenous rights holders, as well as a wide range of community stakeholders.  Canada Lands and Northcrest are committed to working with the community and advancing the public interest over the long term.

After 18 months of engagement, the project team submitted a proposed Framework Plan and Official Plan Amendment to the City of Toronto in September 2021, prompting the City to initiate its Downsview Area Secondary Plan Update. Since then, extensive public meetings have been held to engage the local community and solicit interest and input in the Secondary Plan Update process. The Company participates in all such public meetings. City staff also presented a Draft Secondary Plan Update to City Council in spring 2023 and received authority to proceed toward completion by summer 2024. You can learn about the plan here.