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About the Project

COLLABORATING TO SHAPE THE FUTURE OF DOWNSVIEW 

Planning

A site map, including ownership and the location
of Downsview Park, which will remain intact

Adjacent landowners, Northcrest Developments and Canada Lands Company, have been working together with Downsview neighbours, Indigenous rights holders, and city-wide stakeholders to generate the Framework Plan: a shared vision for over 500 acres at Downsview.

We called our joint process “id8 Downsview,” because it was critical to “ideate” (or form ideas), incorporating the input of many people to ensure these lands meet diverse local needs.

These lands are in an area known today as “North York.”  They are on the traditional territory of the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation who signed Treaty 13 (1805). The area has also been the historic homeland of the Huron Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. Northcrest and Canada Lands are working together with the rights holders to honour these connections in the development.

 

 

Aerial view of the Downsview lands looking south towards downtown Toronto and Etobicoke to the west

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The 9-acre stormwater-fed lake in Downsview Park will remain central to Downsview as it evolves

We understand that this area has always been—and continues to be—an important place for many different communities, businesses, and cultures. The lands have dramatically evolved over time and will continue to transform in the years to come. We are committed to recognizing and building on a developing understanding of diverse local histories and on North York’s resilient spirit.

Current changes are being propelled by a number of factors, including:

1.

The departure of Bombardier and availability of the runway lands.

2.

The major transit investments made on the TTC subway extension and GO expansion.

3.

The need to help accommodate the significant growth of people and jobs coming to Toronto.

4.

A desire to reconnect these lands back into the fabric of the city.

Priorities
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As we reimagined these lands, our goal has been to ensure that future development will strengthen the city and nearby neighbourhoods. We aim to achieve connected, sustainable, resilient, vibrant, healthy, and complete communities. And we’re not the only ones.

 

The id8 Downsview process was designed to ensure that the future of our adjacent lands is shaped by: Downsview locals, rights holders, and city-wide stakeholders; the City’s priorities and policies; and our own priorities as landowners. Our vision has been informed by an alignment of these priorities.

BUILDING ON SHARED VALUES & LOCAL PRIORITIES

Framework

A COLLABORATIVE FRAMEWORK PLAN

In the fall of 2021, these shared priorities and vision culminated in a proposal submitted to the City. This initial Framework Plan was the result of 18 months of engagement and informed by extensive feedback from Downsview locals, rights holders, and city-wide stakeholders. It was also shaped by a deep understanding of the local context.

The Framework Plan will guide the future development of these lands. It formed the basis of an application to the City for an Official Plan Amendment. This amendment in turn has led to the City updating the Downsview Area Secondary Plan

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As part of this update, the City launched a public engagement process called Update Downsview.  More details can be found about the City-led process here.  

 

Northcrest and Canada Lands are collaborating closely with City staff on their Update Downsview process. Following further engagements, including feedback on the draft Secondary Plan presented in 2023, our Framework Plan was updated.

WHO ARE NORTHCREST AND CANADA LANDS?

Introducing the Northcrest and Canada Lands collaboration

Northcrest Developments was established in 2018 as a wholly owned subsidiary of the Public Sector Pension Investment Board (PSP Investments). PSP Investments is a federal Crown corporation and one of Canada’s largest pension investment managers. Based in Toronto, Northcrest is the lead developer for the 370-acre Downsview Airport Lands. Working closely with local communities, Indigenous Peoples, and a broad and diverse set of stakeholders, Northcrest will ensure the transformation of its lands is a model for sustainable, healthy, equitable, and resilient communities, while delivering meaningful returns to its shareholder.  

Canada Lands Company is a self-financing federal Crown corporation that specializes in real estate development and attractions management. For nearly 30 years, Canada Lands has been reintegrating former government properties for new and revitalized communities, delivering far-reaching benefits to Canadians and local economies, including housing and affordable housing, green spaces and parks, commercial and community amenities. It has delivered more than $1 billion in economic benefits to Canada since inception.

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WHO IS SUPPORTING NORTHCREST AND CANADA LANDS?

Northcrest and Canada Lands have assembled an exceptional project team from Toronto and around the world to support the development of a framework for the future of Downsview. These consultants align in their shared interests in building sustainable, resilient, vibrant, healthy, and complete communities through collaborative and transparent processes.

They include:

Team

Urban Planning Consultant

Master Planner

Housing & Economic Consultant

Surveyor

Communication Design

Indigenous Engagement

Transportation Engineer

Local Architect

Heritage Consultant

Land Use & Compatibility

Public Engagement

Environmental Advisory

Civil Engineer

Landscape Architect

Public Art Consultant

Archaeologist

Public Engagement

Equity Advisor

Learn about what we’re working on.

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