Governance

ACCOUNTABILITY IN ACTION

Clear governance, open communication, and shared decision-making ensure the project grows with transparency and stays aligned with community and city priorities. YZD’s governance model is designed for collaboration at scale, bringing community voices, City of Toronto guidance, and developer accountability into one coordinated system.

Governance That Keeps Pace With Change

YZD will evolve over decades, and its success relies on governance systems that remain steady and accountable as the project grows. Together, these three forces help determine how information is shared, how decisions are communicated, and how each step stays connected to the people who live, learn, and work in Toronto's north.

Community Resource Group

Established in 2021, the Community Resource Group (CRG) set a strong foundation for early engagement at YZD. Its effectiveness helped shape the City of Toronto’s own engagement model, which now draws on many of the same principles. Residents, youth, Indigenous representatives, and community leaders meet every two to three months to review milestones and provide guidance on the Community Development Plan and District Planning process.

Community Benefits Plan

As the first private developer to use the City of Toronto's Community Benefits framework for a private-sector project, Northcrest introduced a model designed to expand opportunity for equity-deserving groups connected to the Downsview area.

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Looking Forward

In 2026, construction will began on early infrastructure, bringing the long-term plan into motion. The focus ahead includes clear communication during early construction, broader social procurement pipelines, more opportunities for local and equity-seeking groups, and regular public reporting on progress.

Download the 2025 Progress Report

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