Canada Lands Company submits plan for one of the largest transit-oriented communities in Toronto’s history

Ontario Construction News staff writer

Canada Lands Company has officially submitted its Downsview West District Plan to the City of Toronto, unveiling one of the most ambitious developments in the city’s history. The 74-acre project is set to transform the area adjacent to Downsview Park and the Downsview Park TTC/GO station into a vibrant, sustainable, and transit-oriented community.

With a focus on inclusivity, sustainability, and community engagement, the Downsview West District Plan promises to deliver approximately 8,800 new homes for an estimated 17,000 residents, making it one of the largest residential developments in Toronto’s history. The district plan aligns with the recently approved Downsview Secondary Plan and is poised to reshape the area into a dynamic urban hub.

“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,” said Stéphan Déry, President and CEO of Canada Lands Company. “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.”

The Downsview West District plan includes a variety of housing with 20 percent designated as affordable housing – one of the most significant commitments to affordable living in a single Toronto development application.

Sustainability is at the heart of the Downsview West District Plan. The development is targeting net-zero operational emissions by 2040, a major step toward combating climate change. The plan also emphasizes green transportation, with most residents living within a five-minute walk of higher-order public transit, helping to achieve the goal of having 75 percent of daily trips made by walking, cycling, and transit.

The community will feature over one kilometre of pedestrian and cycling paths, ensuring easy access to green spaces and public transit. The development will also include 3.8 hectares (9.3 acres) of parks and open spaces—exceeding municipal requirements—offering residents ample opportunities for recreation, relaxation, and community events.

Green Infrastructure systems will be built to manage stormwater and mitigate the impacts of extreme weather events. Rainwater will be treated as a resource, with water management solutions integrated into public spaces, roadways, and private lands.

Indigenous placekeeping will pay homage to the area’s rich Indigenous heritage. Central to this is the Aanikoobijiganag Miikana (Ancestors’ Trail), an 800-metre pedestrian route that will connect Downsview Park TTC/GO stations to Downsview Park. This trail will feature Indigenous-inspired public art, design elements, and storytelling installations, providing a space for education and reflection on Indigenous histories and cultures.

The placekeeping design was developed through consultation with Indigenous Rightsholders and communities, and the public realm design has been brought to life by the Indigenous landscape architecture firm Trophic Design.

In 2021, Canada Lands Company and Northcrest Developments submitted a proposal to transform the broader Downsview lands, and the award-winning Framework Plan that followed was shaped by months of consultation with local communities, Indigenous groups, and stakeholders. This development aims to create not only a neighbourhood of the future but one that prioritizes family life, sustainability, and inclusivity.