Closed in 1996 Canadian Forces Base Toronto once thrived. Located at Downsview Airport its history is rich. The Downsview lands were originally acquired in 1787. This was part of the Toronto Purchase from the Mississauga Nation. The area gained its name Downsview in the 1830s. This was due to a farm called Downs View offering a stunning view of Lake Ontario.
Development accelerated in the 1950s. Dufferin Street and a railway were built connecting Downsview to Toronto. In 1929 de Havilland Aircraft of Canada built a plant and airfield. After World War II the Department of National Defence needed a base. They acquired 270 properties around the de Havilland plant. This became RCAF Station Downsview. It played a crucial role in the region’s defense.
In 1968 the unification of the Canadian Armed Forces occurred. RCAF Station Downsview was renamed Canadian Forces Base Toronto. The base remained active through the 1970s and 1980s. Significant non-military events also took place. In 1984 Pope John Paul II held an outdoor mass there. Hundreds of thousands attended. The base’s use declined. The Government of Canada announced its closure in 1994.
The government intended the land for recreational use. The base officially closed on April 1 1996. This was the 72nd anniversary of the Royal Canadian Air Force. A Downsview Framework Plan was created in 1995. The Canada Lands Company would manage development.
Military housing existed on the base. Homes were built near Keele Street and Sheppard Avenue West. Others were at the south end of the base. Access to some housing was restricted. Off-base housing existed on Sunfield Road and Sheppard Avenue. These were called LDHs low development housing. They housed personnel from the 1950s to the 1990s. Demolition of the housing began in 2009. This was due to damage from a propane explosion in 2008. All homes were gone by 2014.
Downsview Park now occupies the land. The airfield continues to be used. Bombardier Aerospace the successor to de Havilland Canada uses it. The airfield also hosted the 2002 Papal visit for World Youth Day. The Molson Canadian Rocks for Toronto concert was held there in 2003. This was a massive event with 450000 attendees. Canadian Forces units still use some of the Downsview Park land. The Canadian Air and Space Museum was also once located there. Many buildings have been demolished. The site’s transformation from a military base to a vibrant park is remarkable. It’s a testament to its enduring legacy.