The Federal Government was uneasy about handing over Downsview Park to Canada Lands Company.

     "Secret memo urged minister to steer Downsview Park plan to avoid a sell-off" by Rachel Mendleson, Toronto Star Investigative Reporter - April 18, 2014.
     "Some critics question what a company with expertise in selling Crown land had in store for the surplus military base, which Ottawa had trumpeted as 'Canada's first national urban park". Public Works Deputy Minister Michelle d'Aurdy remarked in a secret memo that "Canada Lands Co. is  commercially oriented toward the disposal of certain properties for profit."
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Downsview Park was still Crown land during the year 2011.

Downsview Park and the Old Port of Montreal were transferred to Canada Lands in the year 2012. There were concerns that the Old Port of Montreal would also be commercialized and privatized. The concerns were justified:

Petition e-1667  Initiated by Linda Collette from Montreal, May 23, 2018.
(COMMERCIAL DEVELOPMENT OF LAND)
Petition to Justin Trudeau
Whereas:

• The Canada Lands Company (CLC) presented a "Preliminary Master Plan for the Revitalization of the Old Port of Montreal";
• This plan profoundly changes the use of the Clock Tower Quay, which runs along the river and is home to the Clock Tower, a historic and iconic monument of Old Montreal;
• This plan provides for the construction of a number of buildings that would block one of the rare views of the river and increase the amount of concrete and heat islands;
• This plan involves handing over a large portion of the Clock tower Quay to the private sector for businesses, restaurants, a hotel and a multi-level parking garage, which will create serious traffic and safety problems.

We, the undersigned Citizens of Canada, call upon Member of Parliament Justin Trudeau to order;

1. That CLC not be allowed to privatize the use of the Clock Tower Quay area;
2. That CLC revise its plan to better integrate it with the City of Montreal, particularly as regards planning and safety;
3. That CLC showcase the Clock Tower Historic Monument.
4. That the Clock Tower Quay area become a harbourfront pedestrian park that maximizes views of the river and green spaces while giving priority to public transit; and
5. That any redevelopment be done according to sustainable development principles.

(Petition presented to the House of Commons October 5, 2018.)

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Defence Minister David Collenette and the Department of National Defence never wanted CFB Downsview to be decommissioned.

      "When we closed those bases, in particular Downsview, we said that the land would be retained in perpetuity for future generations, primarily as a unique, open, recreational green space. The reason we put primarily in there is that other ongoing uses would still be permitted...It was always intended for that portion of the land to remain in the title of National Defence so that if, God forbid, we were in an emergency situation whereby that land would be required for emergency defence operations it would be there." (Google: "Points of Order" June 11 2001 Downsview Collenette.)

     "A number of Senators wanted to obtain some information on Parc Downsview Park...usually, when the federal government declares a land surplus, it is turned over to Canada Lands Company Limited...However, ND did not want to divest itself of the Downsview military base." (Google: "Journals Issue 97, November 22 2005.)