What We Do

Doing Business with Canada Lands Company

Our Expertise

Canada Lands Company operates in two related business sectors in order to produce the optimal return on its work, to the benefit of all Canadians.

Real Estate & Development

Real estate & development is an important facet of the work Canada Lands Company undertakes to improve the value of a given asset. Following the purchase of a development property at fair market value from the Government of Canada, Canada Lands applies its expertise and may elect to develop, hold or sell a property. At the outset of the development process, Canada Lands fully engages the community and civic officials to collaborate in preparing a consensus-based plan for the property, with connection to the surrounding area. Canada Lands then makes applications for planning approvals from the municipality.

Success Stories

Attractions

As one of the country’s largest attractions operators, the Company has an established track record of consistent financial success managing and operating some of Canada’s most iconic and historically significant landmarks: Canada’s National Tower (CN Tower) in Toronto, the Montréal Science Centre, the Old Port of Montréal, and Downsview Park, also in Toronto. The Company has particularly excelled in developing innovative marketing programs and new initiatives, incorporating sustainability and accessibility enhancements, to attract millions of visitors and guests to its attractions from all over the world.

Success Stories

Our Process
Acquisition
When a government department identifies a property as surplus to its needs, Canada Lands Company undertakes an analysis to determine how the property can best benefit local communities and the Government of Canada. The company works with that government department to determine a fair market price for the property and then purchases the parcel through the government’s real property disposal process.
Consultation
With most of its projects, Canada Lands Company undertakes a public consultation process. Our team works closely with municipal officials to organize the most effective community consultation strategy possible. Our consultation often includes: meeting with community organizations, holding public open houses and establishing local advisory committees to get local input on potential plans for a property. The public is always invited to attend and participate throughout the community consultation process.
Planning
After completing the consultation process, Canada Lands Company creates a master development plan for the property. In keeping with the organizations commitment to corporate social responsibility, the master plan will incorporate sustainable development principles such as LEED certifications, and meet the needs of the local community. This plan is submitted to the local city or town council for consideration and approval.
Preparation
Once the approvals are received, Canada Lands Company typically carries out site servicing. Depending on the site, this may involve the removal of debris and contaminated soil or other environmental hazards. Other preparation work may include the renovation of existing roads, the demolition of unsafe structures and the installation of new roads and other municipal services (for example: sewers, streetlights, etc.).
Completion
There are three scenarios for property development in this final phase. Typically, Canada Lands Company markets and sells the property in phases to builders. The builders then carry out construction consistent with Canada Lands Company’s master development plan. Occasionally, Canada Lands Company may undertake the construction of buildings itself, after site servicing. In the third case, certain properties that are of value to the Government of Canada are retained and Canada Lands Company manages those on behalf of the government. Some of the most prominent properties managed by our company include the Canada’s National Tower (CN Tower), the Old Port of Montréal and the Montréal Science Centre.

FAQ

Canada Lands Company harmoniously integrates properties that are no longer required for program purposes by the Government of Canada into their surrounding communities. The company engages in extensive public engagements prior to starting any work. The end result is a sustainable development that consists of land uses that address community needs.

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Canada Lands Company helps federal government departments and agencies deal with surplus strategic real estate. When properties are no longer required for program purposes by the federal government, they are acquired by Canada Lands Company and related carrying costs for the government are eliminated. Canada Lands Company also generates substantial community and financial value for the Government of Canada through the sale of properties.

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The efforts of Canada Lands Company provide significant benefits to communities where the company operates, including:

  • Private sector investment;
  • Job creation;
  • Municipal revenue enhancement;
  • Creation of residential housing;
  • Provision of parks and recreational facilities;
  • Preservation of heritage properties; and/or
  • Environmental benefits

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No. The company pays all taxes and follows the normal development processes set out by the municipal, provincial and federal governments.

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No. Canada Lands Company is completely financially self-sufficient and receives no government subsidies. The company pays all applicable taxes at all levels of government.

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Generally not. As with both public and private sectors, the details of on-going negotiations involving properties are not normally public information.

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Canada Lands Company acquires strategic properties from Government of Canada departments and agencies (“departments”) that have declared them surplus to their program needs following the strategic disposal process.

Departments dispose of their surplus real property in accordance with the Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat’s (TBS) Policy on Management of Real Property, and the Directive on the Sale or Transfer of Surplus Real Property. Surplus real property is defined as real property that is no longer required in support of a department's programs.

The TBS provides leadership and co-ordination with respect to the disposal of surplus real property while departments are responsible for its implementation. Information and queries concerning the strategic disposal process should be directed to TBS and/or the department disposing of the surplus real property.

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Generally, Canada Lands Company selects developers through a request for proposals or tendering program. Other means of selection may include broad-based marketing, (such as signs or advertising), or in consultation with brokerage firms or the community and the municipality.

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Yes. In many of its projects, Canada Lands Company creates heritage monuments or public spaces, which typically lead to more desirable neighbourhoods. Creating more desirable neighbourhoods, in turn, leads to both greater community and financial value. Canada Lands Company operates with an emphasis on commercial viability in all it does, and we have found that commercial or financial value is often realized hand-in-hand with the creation of community value.

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Yes. Canada Lands Company has decades of experience demonstrating:

  • that it provides a significant enhancement of the quality of life in local communities in a balanced manner;
  • a genuine commitment to public consultation;
  • respect for community values and local heritage;
  • environmental stewardship; and
  • a proven ability to obtain both good financial and community value in its projects simultaneously.

Read more about our success in communities across the country.

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