CFB Downsview

Canadian Forces Base Downsview (also CFB Downsview) is a former Canadian Forces Base in Toronto, Ontario.

RCAF Station Downsview

In 1939 the de Havilland Aircraft of Canada 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 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.

CFB Downsview

The February 1, 1968 unification of the RCAF, Royal Canadian Navy and Canadian Army to form the Canadian 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-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.

Parc Downsview Park

In 1998, Canada Lands Company incorporated a subsidiary named Parc Downsview Park Inc. 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 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 Toronto Aerospace Museum.

Former units

* Operational and training units
** 400 Tactical & Training Helicopter Squadron
** 400 Auxiliary Squadron
** 411 Fighter Squadron
** 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 Squadron

* Non-operational units
** Air Transport Command
** 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 - Toronto
** Canadian Forces Aircrew Selection Centre - formerly Aircrew Selection Unit
** Army Toronto District Headquarters - later as 32 Canadian Brigade Group Headquarters
** Central Militia Area Headquarters
** No 1 Mobile Support Equipment Maintenance Depot

Current units

Despite CFB Downsview having been closed, a small military presence remains on the property with the Department of National Defence having retained several buildings in Parc Downsview Park for these units:

* Land Forces Central Area headquarters
* Denison Armouries - moved from Dufferin Street and Highway 401 location (now a vacant lot beside Costco)
** Area Support Unit Toronto (formerly Garrison Support Unit Toronto)
** 32 Canadian Brigade Group headquarters
** 2 Intelligence Company
** 32 Combat Engineer Regiment
** 32 Military Police Platoon
** 25 (Toronto) Service Battalion
** Governor General's Horse Guards
** Various Cadet units

Aircraft

A list of military aircraft stationed at Downsview:

* de Havilland Vampire fighter
* North American F-86 Sabre fighter
* de Havilland Canada DHC-3 Otter STOL
* OH-58 Kiowa helicopter

ee also

See Downsview Airport for a listing of current non-military users of Downsview Park.