Downsview West: One of the Largest Transit-Oriented Communities in Toronto’s History
Canada Lands Company submits application for a transformational development with 8,800 homes, including 20 per cent affordable housing, new parks and commercial spaces
October 31, 2024 – Toronto, Ontario - On October 24, Canada Lands Company submitted its Downsview West District Plan application to create one of the largest transit-oriented communities in the City of Toronto’s history. Grounded in its involvement of over a decade in the community, Downsview West is Canada Lands’ third neighbourhood in the Downsview area. Building on the recently approved Downsview Secondary Plan, Downsview West will transform the area adjacent to the Downsview Park TTC/GO station and Downsview Park.
Delivering diverse housing options within walking distance of transit
• The 30-hectare (74-acre) Downsview West District Plan will transform the area into a vibrant urban mosaic, delivering approximately 8,800 homes, which will provide homes to approximately 17,000 residents.
• With 20 per cent of homes designated for affordable housing, this is one of the largest commitments from a single development application in the City’s history.
• Canada Lands Company is partnering with the City of Toronto on its Rental Housing Supply Program to support this significant commitment to affordable housing.
• Approximately 40 per cent of homes are designed to be two and three-bedrooms units, catering to diverse households, including families.
• Downsview West is one of four districts within Canada Lands’ Downsview Lands portfolio that aims to transform this area and create a total of approximately 22,000 housing units.
Building sustainable and low carbon communities
• The Downsview West District Plan targets net-zero operation by 2040, aiming to minimize carbon emissions.
• Most residents will live within a five-minute walk from higher-order public transit, supporting the goal of having 75 per cent of trips taken by walking, cycling and transit.
• Features over one kilometre of off-street pedestrian and cycling paths, plus vibrant, complete streets.
• Encompasses approximately 3.8 hectares (9.3 acres) of parks and open spaces, exceeding the municipal Planning Act requirements and providing spaces for gathering, recreation, tree canopy and rainwater retention.
• Incorporates a Green Infrastructure system to treat rainwater as a resource, using private lands, roadways, and open spaces to manage water during extreme rain events.
Indigenous Placekeeping with the Aanikoobijiganag Miikana
• Highlights the Aanikoobijiganag Miikana (Ancestors’ trail), an 800-metre pedestrian route connecting Downsview Park TTC/GO stations to Downsview Park, featuring Indigenous-inspired public realm design, art installations and architecture. This will provide a canvas for Indigenous and diverse storytelling allowing residents and visitors to learn about Indigenous peoples and the area’s histories.
• Indigenous placekeeping concepts were developed through extensive engagement with Rightsholders and Indigenous communities and brought to life by Indigenous landscape architecture firm, Trophic Design.
In the fall of 2021, Canada Lands Company and its neighbour, Northcrest Developments, submitted a proposal to the City of Toronto to transform the broader Downsview lands. The award-winning approved Framework Plan was the result of 18 months of engagement. It was informed by extensive feedback from Rightsholders, the local community and stakeholders and shaped by a deep understanding of the local context.
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“A complete community built for families, climate resilience, transportation, jobs and amenities, the Downsview West District Plan is the result of robust engagement and our deep ambition to deliver more housing with affordability and diversity in mind. We look forward to continued collaboration with residents, builders, Indigenous communities and the City of Toronto to deliver on a neighbourhood that will transform the area for generations to come.”
Stéphan Déry, President and CEO, Canada Lands Company
About Canada Lands Company
Canada Lands Company is a self-financing federal Crown corporation specializing in real estate development and attractions management. Since 1995, Canada Lands has enriched Canadian communities and experiences by embracing the full potential of the properties it owns and operates The Company acquires, transforms and reintegrates surplus lands from the federal government into sought-after communities enabling much needed housing and affordable housing. Canada Lands is a leader in attractions management with its operations of the CN Tower and Downsview Park in Toronto, the Old Port of Montréal and the Montréal Science Centre. Canada Lands Company strives to enhance economic, social and environmental value for Canadians. It has delivered more than $1.3 billion in economic benefits to Canada since inception.
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For more information:
Jeannie Tsang
Canada Lands Company
@email
416-605-0382
Manon Lapensee
Canada Lands Company
@email
416-402-0538
