CBA for Downsview

In 2021, The Toronto Community Benefits Network launched its CBAforDownsview campaign which is centered around the goal of bringing awareness to the wider community of the changes that are being brought about as a result of the upcoming Downsview Lands Development Project.

We are very excited to share with you the final version of our Downsview Community Benefits Vision Report! This report serves as a compilation of all the engagement TCBN has been conducting since Summer 2021 in the Downsview area with local stakeholders, our identified priorities and hard targets as a result of the feedback we have received, neighbourhood demographics data, community benefits policies across all levels of government (i.e. federal, provincial, municipal) and more.

This is an exciting time in the history of Downsview and the opportunities on the horizon for the local community are limitless. We at TCBN look forward to continuing to push for the incorporation of a Community Benefits Agreement for all phases of this development.

VIEW REPORT NOW

The Toronto Community Benefits Network is proud to launch our CBAforDownsview vision report, which is a culmination of our engagement with local residents, community organizations and the TCBN membership. 

The report focuses on five key main themes: 

1. Good jobs and Inclusive Local Economic Development 
2. Social Procurement and Inclusive Business Development 
3. Affordable Housing and Neighbourhood Improvements 
4. Environmental sustainability and sustainable development
5. Accountability and transparency  

This vision was informed by our engagement with over 1,500 local residents and stakeholders to raise awareness about the planned Downsview redevelopment. Key engagement activities included a Downsview Community Benefits Committee, hosting four community events and a Downsview area tour. Collectively, we are creating the conditions for local communities to benefit and build community wealth from the development and growth of the neighbourhood. 

Protecting and Enhancing Good Quality Jobs at Downsview 

Current plans outline that 52,000 new jobs are projected to come to Downsview in the coming decades. However, what type of jobs and the quality of jobs have been raised as important questions and priorities in our engagement process.

For decades, Downsview has been home to the Bombardier DeHavilland Aerospace Manufacturing Facility. The facility was home to one of Canada’s leading centres of high-tech engineering and technological employment for more than 70 years. 

With the move of this manufacturing facility as a catalyst for the Downsview redevelopment, local residents and stakeholders have emphasized the importance of maintaining good jobs and decent work opportunities as part of the future developments.

Prioritizing Toronto’s Northwest and Low Income Communities 

Over the last decade, while Toronto has seen steady economic growth, many communities have fallen behind. With the rise of low income, precarious work which studies have shown are disproportionately overrepresented by Black, Indigenous and racialized communities.  

The report makes the case that targets, investments and programs must prioritize local neighbourhoods, naighbourhood improvement areas and emerging neighbourhoods  in Toronto. Jobs and opportunities should include all phases 

It is also important to note, Toronto’s Northwest neighbourhood, many of which surround the Downsview area, were disproportionately negatively impacted by the pandemic. 

Prioritizing Affordable Housing on Public Land 

Toronto's affordable housing crisis was a key priority outlined during our engagement. Downsview is an opportunity, especially for public lands owned by the federal and municipal governments to prioritize the development of long term, deeply affordable housing at Downsview. 

In February 2024, the TCBN submitted a letter to the North York Community Council sharing concerns that Canada Lands Company’s Arbo district proposal for only 20% affordable housing (calculated at 80% average market rent) for 20 years on federal public lands fall significantly short of our expectations. Each phase of development on public land at Downsview should include at least 30% affordable housing of which 50% is deeply affordable for 99 years. We need long term solutions to address the lack of affordable housing. Such targets could be met by designating land for non-profit housing providers, co-ops and community land trusts. 

Downsview transformation underway 

The transformation of the Downsview area has already begun with announcements of Hines as a development partner for the first Hangar district, a temporary 50,000 seat stadium by Live Nation and a public call from the federal government for two parcels of land in the Arbo District. 

For each of these projects, we expect:

Early engagement with local impacted communities, early in the planning process, to co-develop Community Benefits Plans for private sector-led projects and Community Benefits Agreements for public sector-led projects 

Collaboration amongst impacted communities and community benefits experts to co-develop community benefits plans, apprenticeship plans and social procurement plans for implementation

Accountability that commits to targets and include impacted communities and community benefits experts to monitor progress 

Transparency to ensure plans, outcomes and impact are shared through public reporting

Next Steps 

1. You can find the link to our full Downsview Vision Report here. 
2. We invite you to add your support by endorsing our CBAforDownsview campaign here 
3. Complete a survey to share your input and feedback on this report