In 1951 Downey started working for
Agriculture Canada initially as an alfalfa breeder in
Lethbridge, becoming in 1993 a Senior Research Scientist Emeritus. In 1993, he started his own firm and is president of Canoglobe Consulting Inc. Downey worked with
Baldur Stefansson to develop a variety of
rapeseed with low ratios of potentially harmful erucic acid and glucosinolates that could be used as an edible oil. Canola crop was first grown during
World War II on the prairies to make industrial oil for the war effort, used as a lubricant on steam-powered ships and trains. His oilseed improvement expertise has been shared around the world with missions to Pakistan, India, Ethiopia, Chile, Argentina, Poland, Egypt, and Australia. A highly significant increase in germination rate was observed when compared to canola seeds that were left on earth. Researchers are still working to understand the results. ==Honours==