From 2020 to 2024, Northcrest Developments and Canada Lands Company collaborated with Downsview neighbours, Indigenous Rights Holders, and city-wide stakeholders to generate a shared vision for over 500 acres of land. They called the joint process id8 Downsview, because it was critical to ideate together to ensure these lands will meet diverse local needs.
AN UNPRECEDENTED OPPORTUNITY
The id8 Downsview process saw ​thousands of people come together to share their vision for Canada’s largest city-building opportunity. Over four years, the id8 process encouraged participants to imagine new jobs, housing, parks, programming, and connections for this place. That process created a roadmap for the future.
This opportunity was propelled by a number of factors, including:
1.
Bombardier’s sale of the Downsview Airport Lands in 2018.
2.
Major transit investments made on the TTC subway extension and GO expansion.
Aerial view of the Downsview lands looking south towards downtown Toronto and Etobicoke to the west
These lands are in north Toronto. 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. Through the id8 process and beyond, Northcrest and Canada Lands have worked with the Rights Holders to honour these connections in the future development.
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.
Nearby Downsview Park will be enhanced with new connections. It will not be reduced in size.
This area has always been 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. Through a number of initiatives — including Downsview Stories — the id8 process aimed to develop an understanding of diverse local histories so Northcrest, Canada Lands, and their partners can build on what is here.
BUILDING ON SHARED PRIORITIES
Northcrest and Canada Lands share a goal to ensure that future development strengthens the city and nearby neighbourhoods. They endeavour to achieve connected, sustainable, resilient, vibrant, healthy, and complete communities. They aren’t alone in valuing this approach to city-building.
The id8 Downsview process worked to identify shared values and local priorities. It was designed to ensure that the future of these lands is shaped by: Downsview residents, Rights Holders, and city-wide stakeholders; the City’s priorities and policies; and Northcrest and Canada Lands’ priorities. The vision was informed by an alignment of these priorities.
THE FRAMEWORK PLAN
In the fall of 2021, these shared priorities culminated in a proposal submitted to the City. This first Framework Plan was the result of 18 months of focused engagement. It was informed by extensive feedback from the local community and shaped by a deep understanding of the local context.
The Plan responded to calls for connected, complete communities, integrating nature, open space, jobs, housing, community facilities, and more. It also incorporated a focus on Indigenous placekeeping, equity and inclusion, arts and culture, youth, and heritage. It was subsequently updated in 2023 to better reflect the two companies’ commitment to developing responsibly.
The Framework Plan provides a roadmap for the future development of these lands. It also initiated a larger City-led public engagement process, called Update Downsview, and formed the basis of an Official Plan Amendment application. In response to this amendment, Toronto’s City Council unanimously approved the new Secondary Plan for Downsview in 2024. The Secondary Plan, for around 800 acres in Downsview, encompasses the Framework Plan lands.
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This milestone was another step towards the complete, transit-oriented communities imagined by thousands of our participants. It also brought id8 to a natural close. Though id8 Downsview has concluded, it kicked-off a city-building process that will unfold over decades.
MEET THE DEVELOPERS
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, now knows as YZD. 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.
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→ Visit northcrestdev.ca
The Hanger District,
one of the districts planned by Northcrest
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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→ Visit clc.ca
Downsview West,
one of the districts planned by CLC
THE PROJECT TEAM
Northcrest and Canada Lands assembled an exceptional project team from Toronto and around the world to support the id8 process and develop the Framework Plan. These consultants align in their shared interests in building sustainable, resilient, vibrant, healthy, and complete communities through collaborative and transparent processes. They include:
Housing & Economic Consultant
Heritage Consultant
Surveyor
Land Use & Compatibility
Archaeologist
Public Art Consultant
