Item - 2024.EC12.2

The Economic and Community Development Committee recommends that:

1. City Council adopt the Downsview Community Development Plan and the Downsview Community Development Action Plan, included as Attachment A and B to the report (April 16, 2024) from the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture.

2. City Council request the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning to consider the response to the Downsview Community Development Plan, Attachment A to the report (April 16, 2024) from the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, in the evaluation of District Plans and associated development applications within the Secondary Plan Area.

3. City Council request that the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture work with the relevant City Divisions and Agencies, including City Planning, Parks, Forestry and Recreation, Children’s Services, Transportation Services, Toronto Employment and Social Services, Environment and Climate and the Housing Secretariat to form an interdivisional team to ensure ongoing collaboration, for the implementation of the Downsview Community Development Plan (Attachment A to the report (April 16, 2024) from the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture).

4. City Council request that the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture and other relevant City Divisions and Agencies, in partnership with property owners, local Community Resource Group, First Nations Rights Holders and Indigenous communities, Black communities, and other equity-deserving groups, including residents, artists, community groups, not-for-profit organizations, foundations, as well as, business interest associations, and other private sector partners, implement and monitor the Downsview Community Development Plan, commencing with a comprehensive implementation structure to be developed within Year 1 to support the 5-year action plan: 

a. Design and implement an Engagement and Communication Strategy to ensure ongoing city-wide engagement with the Indigenous and Black communities and local engagement with other equity-deserving communities.

b. Develop an integrated Community Advisory Structure – leveraging and realigning the existing Community Resource Group, establishing the community ambassador program, as well as maintaining regular community meetings, Indigenous Sharing Circles and Rights Holders meetings to support the ongoing implementation of the Community Development Plan actions.

c. Develop a results-based monitoring and evaluation system to track outcomes of the Community Development Plan, support the implementation and produce reports for the Downsview community and City Council.

d. Develop a Community Impact Table in collaboration with property owners, foundations, funders, City Divisions and Agencies, business partners and other institutional partners to support the resourcing of actions identified in the Community Development Plan.

5. City Council request the General Manager of Children’s Services in collaboration with the Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning and the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration to work with Indigenous not-for-profit organizations to establish an Indigenous childcare centre within Phase 1 (as defined by phasing policy of the Downsview Secondary Plan).

6. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture the Chief Planner and the Executive Director, City Planning and the General Manager of the Corporate Real Estate Management to collaborate on delivering City-owned community space under the Community Space Tenancy Policy for not-for-profit organizations delivering health, food, social and arts-based programs, and other services to the community.

7. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture to work with City Divisions and Agencies, property owners, the local Community Resource Group, First Nations Rights Holders and Indigenous communities, Black communities, and other equity-deserving groups, including residents, artists, community groups, not-for-profit organizations, foundations, as well as, business interest associations, and other private sector partners to update the Downsview Community Development Plan every 5 years through in-depth engagement with the aforementioned groups, and to report back to City Council on progress made towards implementing actions as outlined in Attachment B to the report (April 16, 2024) from the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture.

8. City Council request the Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration, in consultation with Chief Planner and Executive Director, City Planning, and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture, to continue to work with all property owners and stakeholders in the Secondary Plan Area to include Community Benefit Plans as part of the District Plan submissions to be approved by the North York Community Council.

The Executive Director, Social Development, Finance and Administration and the General Manager, Economic Development and Culture gave a presentation on Downsview Community Development Plan.

The Downsview lands present a unique opportunity for the public and private sector to collaborate closely with community partners to build Canada’s largest development project. Over 30+ years and at full build-out, it is estimated that the Downsview Secondary Plan Area will accommodate approximately 115,000 new residents (63,000 units) and 52,000 workers, representing one of the largest city-building efforts in the history of Toronto. This is a transformative opportunity to stitch existing and new communities together, enabling the development of more resilient, equitable and connected communities.  As an outcome of the Update Downsview Study, a comprehensive planning framework for the Downsview Area will be brought forward for Council approval. The Update Downsview Study deliverables include:

• Downsview Secondary Plan;
• Downsview Community Development Plan;
• Downsview Urban Design Guidelines;
• Zoning By-law for Meanwhile Uses; and
• Master Environmental Servicing Plan.

With the exception of the Community Development Plan, the Study deliverables are proceeding through Planning and Housing Committee during the same Council cycle as the Community Development Plan.

Growing evidence suggests that without focused investments in reconciliation, equity and systems-wide strategies and supports, neighbourhoods undergoing intensified development and new investments may undermine broader City commitments to promoting a more just and equitable Toronto. For new investments to positively impact current and future Downsview residents, workers and visitors, holistic supports and policy frameworks must be put in place that reflect the rich engagement with various groups, such as First Nations Rights Holders with rights in Canada under s. 35 of the Constitution (“First Nations Rights Holders”), residents, grassroots groups, not-for-profit organizations, artists, and businesses who may be potentially impacted and/or demonstrate interest for greater presence in the Downsview area. New policies, programs and partnerships must focus where the need is greatest and address the inequities that shape the lives of residents, with priority given to Indigenous and Black residents and communities of Toronto. Downsview’s Secondary Plan undergoing an update triggered the need for a Community Development Plan to support this focused and targeted approach to investing in reconciliation, equity, and systems-wide change. The authority of the Community Development Plan is derived from the Secondary Plan’s enforcement and City Council’s approval. 

The purpose of this report is to present the Downsview Community Development Plan for approval, outlining an outcome-driven action plan that is rooted in collaboration between property owners, City divisions, and the community. This report lays out the implementation of the Community Development Plan.

The Downsview Community Development Plan 2024-2029 seizes the opportunity presented by the anticipation of significant growth to centre equity as the basis for Downsview’s redevelopment, reflects in-depth engagement and outlines clear commitments to meet the needs of Indigenous, Black and equity-deserving communities. This process was convened by Social Development, Finance and Administration and Economic Development and Culture in close partnership with City Planning. This has been a unique process and can serve as a model for future Community Development Plans. The Community Development Plan is a 30+ year plan that will be renewed every five years with the first iteration beginning in 2024 and ending in 2029.  The Downsview Community Development Plan accompanies the Downsview Secondary Plan, with both aiming to ensure that future residents, visitors, and workers as well as community groups, not-for-profit organizations and businesses are supported as the area is developed over time. To this end, the Downsview Community Development Plan sets out a 5-year implementation plan, as well as direction for the next 30+ years through an Action Plan (subject to future updates).  

While the Downsview Secondary Plan, Zoning By-law for Meanwhile Uses, and Urban Design Guidelines will provide direction for interim and future development, the Community Development Plan is focused on Indigenous and Black place-keeping and establishing communities that serve and benefit Indigenous, Black, and equity-deserving communities. Actions to support existing and future Downsview communities under these priorities will continue to evolve through ongoing partnerships and discussions between multiple parties including the City of Toronto, property owners, the local Community Resource Group, First Nations Rights Holders and Indigenous communities, Black communities, and other equity-deserving groups, including residents, artists, community groups, not-for-profit organizations, foundations, as well as, business interest associations, and other private sector partners.  

The focus and content of the Community Development Plan are the result of a 2-year community engagement process led by the City through the Update Downsview Study and intensive collaboration between participating City Divisions and Agencies (including CreateTO), and property owners with active development applications (i.e. Northcrest Developments, Canada Lands Company). The Community Development Plan engagement built upon the comprehensive “id8 Downsview” engagement process undertaken by Northcrest Developments and Canada Lands Company in the three years prior to the Update Downsview Study to inform and raise awareness about their Official Plan Amendment Application. Through the engagement process, the Downsview Community Development Plan has identified the following eight priority areas:  

• Access to Housing
• Access to Healthy and Affordable Food
• Arts, Heritage and Education
• Access to Recreation and Community Spaces
• Access to Employment Opportunities
• Establishing an Inclusive Economy
• Community Safety, Health, and Wellbeing
• Environment and Climate 

The Community Development Plan will advance actions across the eight priority areas. The actions will be guided by principles that reflect the City of Toronto's commitments to Indigenous, Black, and equity-deserving groups through the City's Reconciliation Action Plan, Action Plan to Confront Anti-Black Racism and broader equity-driven strategies, initiatives, and programs. In so doing, it is an important demonstration of the City’s approach to inclusive economic development. 

In the process of developing the Downsview Community Development Plan, the City has established a strong interdivisional collaboration and community partnership approach that will serve as a strong foundation to support successful implementation. The lessons learned through the engagement and development process and through interdivisional collaboration will continue to inform ongoing monitoring and implementation.