On July 7th, the Toronto Community Benefits Network submitted a letter to the North York Community Council and deputed on item NY34.9, highlighting Canada Lands Company’s lack of community benefits commitments for the districts that they oversee (particularly Downsview West) and local community concerns. Councilor Pasternak forwarded a number of motions directing Canada Lands Company to work out a Community Benefits Plan with TCBN at the table, move beyond the current housing commitment of 10% to 20% affordable and extend past the proposed 25 years tenure among others.

Please see the full list motions below:

1. Request the Canada Lands Company to continue to work collaboratively with the Toronto Community Benefits Network, the Community Development Unit of the Social Development, Finance and Administration Division, City Planning staff, and other appropriate stakeholders to develop and implement a comprehensive Community Benefits Plan for the Downsview West District that maximizes local employment, training, mentorship, procurement, and community-building opportunities throughout the development process and direct Director, Community Planning, North York District the that any updates on this plan be included in a supplementary report at the City Council meeting of July 29, 30 and 31, 2026.

2. Request the Canada Lands Company to continue to work with City Planning, the Housing Secretariat, and other appropriate City divisions to develop an affordable housing implementation strategy that advances the objective of achieving up to 20 percent affordable housing for an extended period beyond 25 years across the Downsview redevelopment, subject to funding availability, partnership opportunities, and future approvals and direct the Director, Community Planning, North York District to include updates in a supplementary report to the City Council Meeting of July 29, 30 and 31, 2026.

3. City Council direct the General Manager Transportation Services, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director City Planning and the Canada Lands Company, to review the proposed road configuration adjacent to the Downsview Depot and explore opportunities, where feasible, to preserve the Depot as a single, unified property while maintaining the overall transportation objectives of the Downsview West District Secondary Plan.

4. City Council direct the General Manager Transportation Services, in consultation with the Chief Planner and Executive Director to request the Minister of Transportation, Province of Ontario and the Minister of Transportation Canada, to change the at-grade level rail crossing  at Carl Hall Road such that a design and build outcome would result in a safe over or underpass option for vehicles and pedestrians.