Our dedicated community engagement team works collaboratively with planners, urban designers, clients and communities.
It’s important for people to understand what’s happening in the spaces where they live and work, particularly when change is on the horizon. For many, the planning process can be confusing.
That’s where we come in.
Tailored Strategies Community engagement helps to create a strong foundation for any planning project, with strategies that are tailored to the needs of the client and the community.
Translating Complexity, Building Access In many ways, we are translators who provide access for communities to understand the process and its inner workings.
Opening Channels for Community Voices We find ways to create a fair and transparent platform where people can engage and share their thoughts, and provide a direct channel for communities to interact with the people who are proposing change.
Tools of Engagement Stakeholder and public engagement sessions, workshops, open houses, urban design charrettes, visioning sessions and surveys are just a few of the tools we use.
Project Websites We create dedicated project websites that feature highlights, FAQs and application materials that provide clarity and a view to the big picture.
“We aim to be the go-to firm for communications and messaging when it comes to the planning process. Toronto and other municipalities have a lot of challenges around that. We really try to simplify the process for people.”
– Community Engagement Specialist
Our community engagement specialists operate in a team learning environment.
We share resources and experience, working creatively with architects, designers and planners to develop strategies and materials that bring projects to life.
Our collaborative approach also includes internal capacity building, helping our planners with in-person presentations with community members.
Most of our community engagement specialists have a background in planning with a real understanding of the planning process and how those areas of expertise work together.
Our Planning Intern, James Burden, is wrapping up his term today. He brought thoughtful questions, steady execution and a willingness to contribute to our teams over the last few months. Shout out to Anne James for mentoring with intention and helping this future planner to grow.
Thank you James for all your contributions! Wishing you a great return to your studies at Waterloo
Here are some key takeaways James’ time with us: “My time at Bousfields has been an amazing learning experience! I would like to thank the team for giving me the opportunity to meaningfully contribute to a variety of projects. The mentorship program gave me the support and guidance I needed to grow over the past four months. I have gained skills and experiences that I will carry with me in future co-op terms and my career as a planner. Thank you to everyone at Bousfields, I hope our paths cross again in the future.”
Bousfields is proud to have worked with the Toronto Tempo, Canada’s first WNBA team, and City Staff on the planning applications for the Toronto Tempo Performance Centre (701 Fleet Street).
This first‑of‑its‑kind facility will allow community members to share a world‑class performance centre alongside elite athletes. It will be a space where everyone is welcome and will be built in partnership with grassroots organizations across the Greater Toronto Area to expand access to basketball.
Last week, Bousfielders Jocelyn Deeks and Simone Hodgson from our Community Engagement Team had the pleasure of leading @torontohousing’s Development Division’s Engagement Team through two learning sessions on the City of Toronto’s planning application process and the relationship to community engagement.
It’s not everyday that engagement practitioners get to exchange insights and learn from one another - suffice it to say, it was a very engaged group 😊
Thank you to the TCHC team for inviting and hosting us at their Leslie Nymark community. It’s always inspiring to get to see the spaces and places IRL that community engagement helps to shape!
🚲🧠🔬 The Bousfields team is gearing up for this year’s Bike for Brain Health, and the motivation is straightforward: Baycrest is one of the few organizations working on research, care, and education for dementia patients and the ride is a way to push that work forward in a tangible way.
Every donation, whether large or small, moves Baycrest closer to breakthroughs that could change how aging and brain health are understood for future generations. If you’re interested in joining the ride yourself or donating, you can find our team page at the link in bio.
Whether you ride, donate, or simply share the link, you’ll be supporting important research and care.
We’re proud to be part of the team behind the proposed redevelopment of 56-60 Yonge Street!
On March 25, 2026, City Council adopted recommendations from Community Planning staff to approve Official Plan Amendment and Zoning By-law Amendment applications for the site, along with alterations to a designated heritage property, to permit a 65-storey (243.5 metres, including mechanical penthouse) mixed-use building containing 648 residential units and 68 square metres of retail space along Yonge Street. The tower partially cantilevers over an existing 8-storey designated heritage building containing a hotel at 56 Yonge Street (Hotel Victoria), which will be retained.
It was great to welcome Bousfielders to our new space in Hamilton last month and spend some time sharing the space together!
📍Find us at: 1 James Street South, 9th Floor
Flashback to early February when we partnered with @eatmorescarborough for a Yonge Corridor Food & Project Tour - resulting in a fun evening of food and learning!
Bousfielders explored the diverse food scene along Yonge Street between Dundas and Bloor, featuring hidden gems and must‑try spots. Throughout the walk, Bousfielders shared insights on past and current projects, as well as a bunch of fun facts, highlighting the evolving geography and character of this vibrant downtown corridor.
🍽️ Food Stops We Experienced:
* Cong Caphe * Punjabi Chaap Corner * Bangkok Garden * BHK Roll * Thai Mart * Bloom Café
🏛️ Bousfields Projects/Places We Visited:
1. TMU Student Learning Centre 2. Chelsea Hotel 3. 26 Grenville & 27 Grosvenor 4. 11 Wellesley 5. 510-528 Yonge and 7 Breadalbane 6. 1 Bloor West
Bousfields, what were you like in the 90s? ☎️
We had a great time at @uli_toronto 8th Annual Winter Social at Waterworks Food Hall!
As sponsors, we appreciate spaces that bring people together a room full of people who care about how this city evolves.
As we approach International Women’s Day, we reflect and take a moment to recognize the women whose insight and leadership shape the way our cities grow. At Bousfields, we are proud annual sponsors for Women’s Leadership Initiative - ULI Toronto (WLI) and its initiatives, advancing women in our profession. We’re looking back at some key moments through the photos captured here. WLI brings people together to have meaningful and intentional conversations about their careers, inclusion in the workplace and moving our industry so more individuals can #GivetoGain. Happy #IWD2026!
We’re excited to announce that our Hamilton team has officially moved to a new location. Our new Hamilton office strengthens our roots in a city we’ve proudly been part of for the past five years.
📍 You can now find us at: 1 James Street South
We’re grateful for the clients, partners, and projects that have supported us in the region, and we’re proud to call Hamilton home. Our new space underscores our ongoing commitment to contributing to the growth and success to Hamilton and the neighbouring communities from Burlington to Niagara, Kitchener, London, Guelph and beyond!
Coming Soon! An exciting announcement from our Hamilton Office… 👀
