CFB Downsview
Encyclopedia
Canadian Forces Base Downsview (also CFB Downsview) is a former Canadian Forces base
in Toronto
, Ontario
. The airfield is currently operated as Toronto/Downsview Airport
.
constructed an aircraft manufacturing plant, hangar and airfield at a property known as Downsview north of Toronto's central business district
.
The Downsview Lands were part of an extensive land parcel acquired by the British Crown
in 1787 from the Mississauga Nation in what is referred to as the Toronto Purchase
. "Downsview" received its name in the 1830s after a farm on the property that was called "Downs View", attributed to its commanding vista of Lake Ontario
to the south, looking "down" from the plateau. The area was connected with Toronto in the 1850s when Dufferin Street
and the Northern Railway
were constructed.
Following World War II
, the Department of National Defence
was in need of property for stationing Royal Canadian Air Force
squadrons to protect the concentration of industry and population in southern Ontario. In 1947, the federal government acquired and consolidated 270 properties in Downsview surrounding the De Havilland manufacturing plant. This large tract was developed in the ensuing years as RCAF Station Downsview and became part of the Canadian military's front-line defence of the region.
and Canadian Army
to form the Canadian Armed Forces saw RCAF Station Downsview renamed Canadian Forces Base Toronto (Downsview), later shortened to just Canadian Forces Base Downsview (or CFB Downsview).
Operational units continued to use CFB Downsview through the 1970s and 1980s; however, municipal planners and real estate developers were increasingly coveting the property during Toronto's unprecedented urban development during this period.
The first of several non-military events made use of the base in 1984 with the Papal Visit by Pope John Paul II
to Toronto where he held an outdoor mass for hundreds of thousands of worshippers.
Noise complaints and other restrictions on the use of Downsview during the 1980s, followed by the end of the Cold War
, and coupled with the rising real estate value of the military base, saw the federal government decide to close and decommission CFB Downsview. The base closed on April 1, 1996, the 72nd anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force, along with its Detachment on Avenue Road.
In 1995 the "Downsview Framework Plan" was released and the Canada Lands Company
was directed to manage the planning and development process for the property.
and Sheppard Avenue
West and at the south end of the base property. Access to the north end housing on Robert Woodhead Crescent and John Drury Drive was restricted to base personnel and fenced off from the neighbouring properties. The most of the housing remains at the site, still occupied by military families. However in 2009, the Canadian Forces Housing Authority began the process of disposing of all military housing in Toronto with the demolition of the Stanley Green Park community of PMQs.(Reference: Canadian Forces Housing Authority)
to assume responsibility for managing the development of the former military base. Public consultations and a design initiative took place through the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Parts of the property are currently undergoing development, while the airfield is being managed as the Toronto/Downsview Airport and is still in use by the successor to de Havilland Canada, Bombardier Aerospace
.
The airfield was used in 2002 for another Papal Visit by Pope John Paul II for the World Youth Day
celebrations and in 2003 the "Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto
" concert featuring The Rolling Stones
saw 450,000 people visit Downsview Park.
Downsview Park still houses some Canadian Forces regular and reserve force units and is home to the Canadian Air and Space Museum
. Numerous building have been demolished, especially on the west-side of the former base. On the east-side, two of Downsview's old maintenance hangars, known as buildings 55 & 58, were demolished in March 2010. A desperate effort had been mounted by heritage organizations to save the hangars, built in 1942. Despite the fact that they had been designated as heritage buildings, they were ultimately demolished.
having retained several buildings in Parc Downsview Park for these units:
Canadian Forces base
A Canadian Forces Base or CFB is a military installation of the Canadian Forces. For a facility to qualify as a Canadian Forces Base, it must station one or more major units .Minor installations are named Canadian Forces Station or CFS A Canadian Forces Base or CFB (French Base des forces...
in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario
Ontario
Ontario is a province of Canada, located in east-central Canada. It is Canada's most populous province and second largest in total area. It is home to the nation's most populous city, Toronto, and the nation's capital, Ottawa....
. The airfield is currently operated as Toronto/Downsview Airport
Toronto/Downsview Airport
Downsview Airport or Toronto/Downsview Airport, , is located in Toronto, Ontario and has been exclusively owned and used as a testing facility by Bombardier Aerospace since 1994....
.
RCAF Station Downsview
In 1929 the de Havilland Aircraft of CanadaDe Havilland Canada
The de Havilland Aircraft of Canada Ltd. company was an aircraft manufacturer with facilities based in what is now the Downsview area of Toronto, Ontario, Canada...
constructed an aircraft manufacturing plant, hangar and airfield at a property known as Downsview north of Toronto's central business district
Central business district
A central business district is the commercial and often geographic heart of a city. In North America this part of a city is commonly referred to as "downtown" or "city center"...
.
The Downsview Lands were part of an extensive land parcel acquired by the British Crown
Monarchy of the United Kingdom
The monarchy of the United Kingdom is the constitutional monarchy of the United Kingdom and its overseas territories. The present monarch, Queen Elizabeth II, has reigned since 6 February 1952. She and her immediate family undertake various official, ceremonial and representational duties...
in 1787 from the Mississauga Nation in what is referred to as the Toronto Purchase
Toronto Purchase
The Toronto Purchase was an agreement between the British crown and the Mississaugas of New Credit in 1787. The Mississaugas of New Credit exchanged 250,808 acres of land in what became York County The Toronto Purchase was an agreement between the British crown and the Mississaugas of New Credit...
. "Downsview" received its name in the 1830s after a farm on the property that was called "Downs View", attributed to its commanding vista of Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario
Lake Ontario is one of the five Great Lakes of North America. It is bounded on the north and southwest by the Canadian province of Ontario, and on the south by the American state of New York. Ontario, Canada's most populous province, was named for the lake. In the Wyandot language, ontarío means...
to the south, looking "down" from the plateau. The area was connected with Toronto in the 1850s when Dufferin Street
Dufferin Street
Dufferin Street is a major north-south street in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is a concession road, two concessions west of Yonge Street. The street starts at the foot of Lake Ontario, continues north to Toronto's northern boundary with some discontinuities and continues into York Region where it...
and the Northern Railway
Northern Railway of Canada
The Northern Railway of Canada was a historical Canadian railway located in the province of Ontario. It was eventually acquired by the Grand Trunk Railway, and is therefore a predecessor to the modern Canadian National Railway.- Early history :...
were constructed.
Following World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, the Department of National Defence
Department of National Defence (Canada)
The Department of National Defence , frequently referred to by its acronym DND, is the department within the government of Canada with responsibility for all matters concerning the defence of Canada...
was in need of property for stationing Royal Canadian Air Force
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
squadrons to protect the concentration of industry and population in southern Ontario. In 1947, the federal government acquired and consolidated 270 properties in Downsview surrounding the De Havilland manufacturing plant. This large tract was developed in the ensuing years as RCAF Station Downsview and became part of the Canadian military's front-line defence of the region.
CFB Downsview
The February 1, 1968, unification of the RCAF, Royal Canadian NavyRoyal Canadian Navy
The history of the Royal Canadian Navy goes back to 1910, when the naval force was created as the Naval Service of Canada and renamed a year later by King George V. The Royal Canadian Navy is one of the three environmental commands of the Canadian Forces...
and Canadian Army
Canadian Forces Land Force Command
The Canadian Army , previously called Land Force Command, is responsible for army operations within the Canadian Forces. The current size of the Army is 19,500 regular soldiers and 16,000 reserve soldiers, for a total of around 35,500 soldiers...
to form the Canadian Armed Forces saw RCAF Station Downsview renamed Canadian Forces Base Toronto (Downsview), later shortened to just Canadian Forces Base Downsview (or CFB Downsview).
Operational units continued to use CFB Downsview through the 1970s and 1980s; however, municipal planners and real estate developers were increasingly coveting the property during Toronto's unprecedented urban development during this period.
The first of several non-military events made use of the base in 1984 with the Papal Visit by Pope John Paul II
Pope John Paul II
Blessed Pope John Paul II , born Karol Józef Wojtyła , reigned as Pope of the Catholic Church and Sovereign of Vatican City from 16 October 1978 until his death on 2 April 2005, at of age. His was the second-longest documented pontificate, which lasted ; only Pope Pius IX ...
to Toronto where he held an outdoor mass for hundreds of thousands of worshippers.
Noise complaints and other restrictions on the use of Downsview during the 1980s, followed by the end of the Cold War
Cold War
The Cold War was the continuing state from roughly 1946 to 1991 of political conflict, military tension, proxy wars, and economic competition between the Communist World—primarily the Soviet Union and its satellite states and allies—and the powers of the Western world, primarily the United States...
, and coupled with the rising real estate value of the military base, saw the federal government decide to close and decommission CFB Downsview. The base closed on April 1, 1996, the 72nd anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force, along with its Detachment on Avenue Road.
In 1995 the "Downsview Framework Plan" was released and the Canada Lands Company
Canada Lands Company
Canada Lands Company Limited is an arms length, self-financing Crown corporation reporting to Parliament through the Honourable John Baird, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons...
was directed to manage the planning and development process for the property.
Military housing
A series of homes for Canadian Forces personnel were built at the corner of Keele StreetKeele Street
Keele Street is a north-south road in Toronto and York Region in Ontario, Canada. It stretches 47km, running from Bloor Street in Toronto to the Holland Marsh. South of Bloor Street, the roadway is today known as Parkside Drive, but was originally part of Keele Street...
and Sheppard Avenue
Sheppard Avenue
Sheppard Avenue is an east-west principal arterial road in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. A small portion of a continuation of the road in Pickering, Ontario is also called Sheppard Avenue.-History:...
West and at the south end of the base property. Access to the north end housing on Robert Woodhead Crescent and John Drury Drive was restricted to base personnel and fenced off from the neighbouring properties. The most of the housing remains at the site, still occupied by military families. However in 2009, the Canadian Forces Housing Authority began the process of disposing of all military housing in Toronto with the demolition of the Stanley Green Park community of PMQs.(Reference: Canadian Forces Housing Authority)
Downsview Park
In 1998, Canada Lands Company incorporated a subsidiary named Downsview ParkDownsview Park
Downsview Park is a former Canadian Forces Base in the community of Downsview in Toronto, Canada. It contains about 231.5 hectares of land, of which more than 130 hectares are earmarked for traditional parkland, recreational and cultural amenities...
to assume responsibility for managing the development of the former military base. Public consultations and a design initiative took place through the late 1990s and early 2000s.
Parts of the property are currently undergoing development, while the airfield is being managed as the Toronto/Downsview Airport and is still in use by the successor to de Havilland Canada, Bombardier Aerospace
Bombardier Aerospace
Bombardier Aerospace is a division of Bombardier Inc. and is the third-largest airplane manufacturer in the world. It is headquartered in Dorval, Quebec, Canada.- History :...
.
The airfield was used in 2002 for another Papal Visit by Pope John Paul II for the World Youth Day
World Youth Day
World Youth Day is a youth-oriented Catholic Church event. While the event itself celebrates the Catholic faith, the invitation to attend extends to all youth, regardless of religious convictions....
celebrations and in 2003 the "Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto
Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto
Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto was a benefit rock concert that was held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada on July 30, 2003. It was also known as "Toronto Rocks", "Stars 4 SARS", "SARSStock", "SARSfest", "SARS-a-palooza", the "SARS concert", or, more descriptively, "The Rolling Stones SARS Benefit...
" concert featuring The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones
The Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
saw 450,000 people visit Downsview Park.
Downsview Park still houses some Canadian Forces regular and reserve force units and is home to the Canadian Air and Space Museum
Canadian Air and Space Museum
The Canadian Air and Space Museum is an aviation museum featuring artifacts, exhibits and stories illustrating a century of Canadian aviation heritage and achievements...
. Numerous building have been demolished, especially on the west-side of the former base. On the east-side, two of Downsview's old maintenance hangars, known as buildings 55 & 58, were demolished in March 2010. A desperate effort had been mounted by heritage organizations to save the hangars, built in 1942. Despite the fact that they had been designated as heritage buildings, they were ultimately demolished.
Former units
- Operational and training units
- 400 Tactical and Training Helicopter SquadronNo. 400 Squadron RCAF400 "City of Toronto" Tactical Helicopter and Training Squadron is part of 1 Wing, and as such a lodger unit of Canadian Forces Base Borden. The squadron operates the CH-146 Griffon.-History:...
- 400 Auxiliary Squadron
- 411 Fighter SquadronNo. 411 Squadron RCAFNo. 411 "City of York" Squadron RCAF was a Second World War Royal Canadian Air Force squadron that operated as part of RAF Fighter Command in Europe with the Supermarine Spitfire. -History:...
- 411 "County of York" Fighter Squadron
- 411 Squadron
- 411 Auxiliary Squadron
- 411 "County of York" Air Reserve Squadron
- 411 Tactical Aviation Squadron
- 411 Tactical Helicopter Squadron
- 436 Transport SquadronNo. 436 Squadron RCAF436 Transport Squadron is a unit of the Canadian Forces under the Royal Canadian Air Force. It currently operates the CC-130J Super Hercules from CFB Trenton in Trenton, Ontario.-History:...
- 400 Tactical and Training Helicopter Squadron
- Non-operational units
- Air Transport CommandCanadian Forces Air Transport CommandAir Transport Command was a command of the Canadian Armed Forces created in 1968 and eliminated in 1975.ATC was responsible to provide air transport forces and to command primary air search and rescue forces for Canada and to support bases and units of other commands as directed. The headquarters...
- 14 Wing Headquarters - renamed 2 Tactical Aviation Wing and No. 14 Movement Control Detachment
- Defence Research Medical Laboratories - renamed the Defence Research Establishment Toronto, later Defence and Civil Institute for Environmental Medicine, and currently Defence R&D Canada - TorontoDRDC TorontoDRDC Toronto is a major Canadian military research station located at the former site of CFB Downsview in Toronto, Ontario. It is one of seven centres making up Defence Research and Development Canada .-History:...
- Canadian Forces Aircrew Selection Centre - formerly Aircrew Selection Unit
- Army Toronto District Headquarters - later as 32 Canadian Brigade Group32 Canadian Brigade Group32 Canadian Brigade Group is part of Land Force Central Area, under the Canadian Army. It is centered around the Greater Toronto Area, as well as Grey and Simcoe Counties...
Headquarters - Central Militia Area Headquarters
- No. 1 Mobile Support Equipment Maintenance Depot
- Air Transport Command
Current units
Despite CFB Downsview having been closed, a small military presence remains on the property with the Department of National DefenceDepartment of National Defence (Canada)
The Department of National Defence , frequently referred to by its acronym DND, is the department within the government of Canada with responsibility for all matters concerning the defence of Canada...
having retained several buildings in Parc Downsview Park for these units:
- Land Force Central AreaLand Force Central AreaLand Force Central Area is responsible for the administration of the Canadian Army in the province of Ontario, from the Quebec border to the northern Lakehead region...
headquarters - Denison ArmouriesDenison ArmouryLieutenant-Colonel George Taylor Denison III Armoury, commonly known as Denison Armoury, is a Canadian Forces facility located at 1 Yukon Lane in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is in the northeastern corner of Downsview Airport just west of the W.R. Allen Expressway on Sheppard Avenue West...
- moved from Dufferin Street and Highway 401Highway 401 (Ontario)King's Highway 401, also known by its official name as the Macdonald–Cartier Freeway and colloquially as the four-oh-one, is a 400-Series Highway in the Canadian province of Ontario stretching from Windsor to the Quebec border...
location (now a vacant lot beside CostcoCostcoCostco Wholesale Corporation is the largest membership warehouse club chain in the United States. it is the third largest retailer in the United States, where it originated, and the ninth largest in the world...
)- Area Support Unit Toronto (formerly Garrison Support Unit Toronto)
- Joint Task Force Central Area Headquarters
- 2 Area Support Group Signal Squadron Toronto Detachment
- 32 Canadian Brigade Group32 Canadian Brigade Group32 Canadian Brigade Group is part of Land Force Central Area, under the Canadian Army. It is centered around the Greater Toronto Area, as well as Grey and Simcoe Counties...
headquarters - 2 Intelligence Company2 Intelligence Company2 Intelligence Company is a Primary Reserve intelligence unit of the Canadian Forces. It is part of Land Force Central Area's 2 OSG ....
- 32 Combat Engineer Regiment32 Combat Engineer Regiment32 Combat Engineer Regiment is the Primary Reserve unit of the Canadian Military Engineers in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is assigned to 32 Canadian Brigade Group, part of Land Force Central Area....
- 32 Military Police Platoon
- 25 (Toronto) Service Battalion
- The Governor General's Horse GuardsThe Governor General's Horse GuardsThe Governor General's Horse Guards is an armoured reconnaissance regiment in the Primary Reserve of the Canadian Army, part of Land Force Central Area's 32 Canadian Brigade Group. Based in Toronto, it is the most senior reserve regiment in Canada, and the only Household Cavalry regiment of...
- Various Cadet unitsCanadian Cadet MovementThe Canadian Cadet Organizations, marketed under the term Cadets Canada, are youth cadet programs known as the Royal Canadian Sea Cadets, Army Cadets, and Air Cadets...
Aircraft
A list of military aircraft stationed at Downsview:- de Havilland VampireDe Havilland VampireThe de Havilland DH.100 Vampire was a British jet-engine fighter commissioned by the Royal Air Force during the Second World War. Following the Gloster Meteor, it was the second jet fighter to enter service with the RAF. Although it arrived too late to see combat during the war, the Vampire served...
fighter - North AmericanNorth American AviationNorth American Aviation was a major US aerospace manufacturer, responsible for a number of historic aircraft, including the T-6 Texan trainer, the P-51 Mustang fighter, the B-25 Mitchell bomber, the F-86 Sabre jet fighter, the X-15 rocket plane, and the XB-70, as well as Apollo Command and Service...
F-86 SabreF-86 SabreThe North American F-86 Sabre was a transonic jet fighter aircraft. Produced by North American Aviation, the Sabre is best known as America's first swept wing fighter which could counter the similarly-winged Soviet MiG-15 in high speed dogfights over the skies of the Korean War...
fighter - de Havilland Canada DHC-3 OtterDe Havilland Canada DHC-3 OtterThe de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter is a single-engined, high-wing, propeller-driven, STOL aircraft developed by de Havilland Canada. It was conceived to be capable of performing the same roles as the earlier and highly successful Beaver, but was overall a larger aircraft.-Design and...
STOLSTOLSTOL is an acronym for short take-off and landing, a term used to describe aircraft with very short runway requirements.-Definitions:There is no one accepted definition of STOL and many different definitions have been used by different authorities and nations at various times and for a myriad of... - OH-58 KiowaOH-58 KiowaThe Bell OH-58 Kiowa is a family of single-engine, single-rotor, military helicopters used for observation, utility, and direct fire support. Bell Helicopter manufactured the OH-58 for the United States Army based on the 206A JetRanger helicopter. The OH-58 has been in continuous use by the U.S...
helicopter
Static display
Several pieces of military equipment are located along Sheppard Avenue West outside LFC HQ:- Canadair CF-5 fighter
- Sherman tankM4 ShermanThe M4 Sherman, formally Medium Tank, M4, was the primary tank used by the United States during World War II. Thousands were also distributed to the Allies, including the British Commonwealth and Soviet armies, via lend-lease...
- floating bridge