The infrastructure group at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP combines strong experience in acting for both private and public-sector participants on major development projects. Demonstrating comprehensive coverage of all key asset classes, the national team is active across the country on major rail, road, hospital, port and airport projects, among others. Among the senior names in Toronto, Catherine Doyle is noted for her private sector-side expertise, with a strong track record in representing lenders, developers and sponsors. Doyle is acting alongside Mark Johnson, who splits his time between Toronto and Ottawa, to advise the ONConnects consortium on its bid for the DBFOM contract for the Ontario Line – Rolling Stock Systems, Operations and Maintenance Project. Other key contacts in Toronto include procurement specialist Marianne Smith. Department head Jeffrey Merrick and Montreal group lead Alain Massicotte are additionally recommended in Vancouver and Montreal respectively.
Infrastructure projects in Canada
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Jeffrey Merrick
Autres avocats clés:
Catherine Doyle; Alain Massicotte; Marianne Smith; Mark Johnson; Alyssa Shivji
Principaux clients
Coastal GasLink Pipeline
City of Calgary
Aecon Concessions, Siemens Project Ventures and Keolis
City of Toronto
VIA Rail Canada
City of Winnipeg
Amico Concessions, Sacyr Concesiones SI and SNC-Lavalin Capital
City of Mississauga
Calgary Airport Authority
Principaux dossiers
- Advising the City of Calgary on the development of a C$5bn light rail transit line in Calgary, Alberta.
- Advising the City of Toronto on the C$2.3bn rehabilitation of the FG Gardiner Expressway.
- Advising the ONConnects consortium on its bid to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the Ontario Line – Rolling Stock Systems, Operations and Maintenance Project in Toronto, Ontario.
Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP
‘A top firm in the sector’, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP is distinguished by its pioneering experience on first-of-a-kind projects throughout North America, including progressive-build models and US campus energy projects, among other recent examples. The group also impresses with its formidably deep bench, which is led jointly by project finance and infrastructure partner William Buchner, who ‘stands out for his commercial judgement’, together with infrastructure and real estate specialist Gregory Southam. Southam is notably advising Aecon Construction Group on the Darlington New Nuclear Small Modular Reactor Project. The practice also draws on the expertise of senior counsel and real estate expert Robert Bauer; project finance specialist Carol Pennycook; project finance and energy-focused partner Nicholas Williams; and David White, who handles a mix of finance and infrastructure work.
Responsables de la pratique:
Gregory Southam; William Buchner
Autres avocats clés:
Robert Bauer; Carol Pennycook; Nicholas Williams; David White; Anthony Spadaro
Les références
‘The Davies team has an in-depth understanding of the key legal issues pertinent to us and does an excellent job of tailoring its work product such that it addresses the most critical areas of importance for us. I consider Davies as a top firm in the sector.’
‘The team as a whole is outstanding. Its strengths include being able to combine its lawyers’ skill sets and experience (from the junior level all the way to the most senior partner) to provide seamless legal advice to clients.’
‘We value the team for its excellent commercial acumen.’
Principaux clients
Plenary Americas
Brookfield (and its subsidiary, Sera Global, and former subsidiary, Enwave)
Axium Infrastructure
DIF Capital Partners
Barnard Constructors
Northleaf Capital Partners
Aecon Group
EllisDon Corporation
John Laing Group
Fengate Capital Management
Ferrovial Construction Canada
Principaux dossiers
- Advising on a string of LRT projects, including advising the design-build joint venture — formed by Aecon Infrastructure Management and FCC Construction Canada — on the design, build, operation and maintenance of the Regional Express Rail Package 3 project.
- Acting on several US campus energy projects, including advising Maryland Energy Impact Partners (a Plenary Americas and Kiewit Development Company-led consortium) on its shortlisted bid to design, build, finance, operate and maintain the NextGen Energy Program, a district energy system for the University of Maryland.
- Acting for Aecon Construction Group on the negotiation and closing of the project agreement, and related construction and interface documents, concerning the Darlington New Nuclear Small Modular Reactor Project.
DLA Piper (Canada) LLP
The ‘innovative, knowledgeable and commercially astute’ team at DLA Piper (Canada) LLP has been involved in the P3 market in Canada since its inception and brings to bear extensive experience in advising on pathfinder transactions. Toronto-based department head Ian Bendell is a UK-qualified foreign legal consultant, whose experience spans a range of rail, road, health and social infrastructure projects, among others. Bendell is leading the team’s advice to the operations and maintenance joint venture supporting the Connect 6ix team bidding for the Ontario Line Rolling Stock, Systems, Operations and Maintenance Project. In Vancouver, Andrew Burton is a key contact; he is qualified in the UK, Ontario and BC and is advising Crosslinx Transit Solutions on project operations matters relating to the expansion of the Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit (LRT) Project. Vancouver-based procurement specialist Elizabeth Mayer is also recommended.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ian Bendell
Autres avocats clés:
Andrew Burton; Elizabeth Mayer
Les références
‘The team is very knowledgeable on the PPP process.’
‘Lawyers possess a diverse set of applicable experiences and expertise.’
‘The DLA team is incredibly responsive. It is innovative, knowledgeable and commercially astute.’
Principaux clients
Transdev
Hitachi Rail
Keolis
SNC Lavalin
Dragados USA and Dragados Canada
Vancouver Island Health Authority
BC Ministry of Transportation
Canada Infrastructure Bank
VIA Rail
Webuild (formerly Salini Impregilo and Astaldi)
Royal British Columbia Museum
Crosslinx Transit Solutions
Aecon Construction Group
Meridiam Infrastructure North America Corp
Bermuda Airport Authority
Yukon Energy Corporation
MRDC Operations Corporation
EnTransit Consortium
SAIT
McCarthy Tétrault
McCarthy Tétrault’s infrastructure projects practice is evenly distributed between its offices, which translates into comprehensive national coverage of all major infrastructure spheres, including rail, health, government buildings, and energy and natural resources. Toronto-based David Lever co-heads the practice and is recommended for his focus on project finance and energy-related matters. Department co-head Linda Brown, based in Vancouver, specializes in infrastructure projects, with experience across the full range of bidding processes, project finance and secondary market activity. Vancouver-based Morgan Troke is also highly regarded for infrastructure work and recently paired up with Vancouver’s Samantha Cunliffe to advise the ONxpress Transportation Partners consortium on the DBOM contract for the GO Rail Expansion On Corridor Project. Toronto-based real estate and construction specialist Godyne Sibay and Vancouver-based next-generation partner Liezl Behm are also recommended for projects work.
Responsables de la pratique:
David Lever; Linda Brown
Autres avocats clés:
Godyne Sibay; Morgan Troke; Samantha Cunliffe; Liezl Behm
Principaux clients
Canada Infrastructure Bank
CDPQ Infra
Elemental Energy
Infrastructure Ontario
The lenders to a borrower formed by Graham Capital Partners
Metrolinx
Niagara Health System
ONxpress Transportation Partners
The Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General
Trillium Health Partners
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP houses a full-service projects and infrastructure group, which has experience in representing all stakeholders in project finance and development matters. The team’s recent involvement in a host of major transactions across the transit, energy, and social infrastructure sectors demonstrates its broad practice scope, while the March 2023 promotion of Marta Rochkin to partner highlights its continuing investment in this space. Go-to projects expert Christopher Bennett is widely recognized as a market leader and recently teamed up with Tobor Emakpor to advise EllisDon Infrastructure Justice and EllisDon Capital, as developers, on the commercial and financial close of the C$1.2bn Thunder Bay Correctional Complex project. The group also includes project finance specialist Danna Donald and project development and construction-focused partner Richard Wong, who splits his time between Toronto and Montreal. Named attorneys are based in Toronto unless otherwise stated.
Responsables de la pratique:
Christopher Bennett
Autres avocats clés:
Tobor Emakpor; Danna Donald; Marissa Kirsh; Marta Rochkin; Richard Wong
Principaux clients
EllisDon Capital / EllisDon Corporation
Infrastructure Ontario
Meridiam Infrastructure North America Corporation
Fiera Infrastructure
Debt Providers to the Connect 6ix Consortium
Amico Design Build
Sacyr Canada
Hochtief PPP Solutions North America
Strabag
Ainsworth
SUEZ Canada Holdings
TC Energy – Grey County Pumped Storage Project
Bruce Power
NextBridge Infrastructure
Emera/Nova Scotia Power
Algonquin Power & Utilities Corp
Trans Mountain Pipeline
Torys
Torys stands out for its Pan-North American projects practice, with the team routinely engaged to advised on transactions in the US, as well as in Canada. The multidisciplinary group draws on infrastructure, energy, Indigenous law, real estate and project finance specialists, among others, which equips it to handle the full projects life cycle — from procurement issues through to development and secondary market transactions. Toronto-based department co-head Mark Bain is sought after for his specialist infrastructure expertise; he recently teamed up with Josh Van Deurzen, also in Toronto, to advise Infrastructure Ontario on the Accelerated High Speed Internet Program. The department is additionally co-led by Toronto-based power expert Krista Hill and New York-based Tara Mackay, who is noted for cross-border work. Other recommended names in Toronto include project finance specialist Scott Kraag; projects and infrastructure partner Daniel Ford; and talented senior associate, Jessica Ho-Wo-Cheong.
Autres avocats clés:
Daniel Ford; Josh Van Deurzen; Milosz Zemanek; Huw Evans; Valerie Helbronner; Scott Kraag
Les références
‘Torys offers top-shelf legal services for the areas our firm requires, and performs with exceptional professionalism, transparency on billing (with no surprises), and supports negotiations with third parties in a highly effective manner and provides straightforward and practical legal advice.’
‘Tara Mackay is a standout partner at Torys. She is thorough, practical, commercial and highly effective.’
Principaux clients
Infrastructure Ontario
Ontario Power Generation
Canada Infrastructure Bank
the lenders to Meridiam Infrastructure North America Corporation
Wataynikaneyap Power
Norddeutsche Landesbank Girozentrale, New York Branch
Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
Oneida Energy Storage
ONLineLinx (ALSTOM/John Laing)
CarbonFree Chile
First Nations Tax Commission and First Nations Infrastructure Institute
Enbridge
Canadian National Railway
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Infrastructure Ontario as the public authority for the Accelerated High Speed Internet Program.
- Advised Ontario Power Generation on multiple matters, including on Canada’s first on-grid small modular reactor at the site of its Darlington New Nuclear Project.
- Advised Canada Infrastructure Bank on multiple credit facilities to Bell Canada, Rogers Communications, XPlore and Telus Corporation in connection with the private financing components of broadband projects.
Bennett Jones LLP
Historically best known for its record in energy-related infrastructure, Bennett Jones LLP continues to expand its projects reach. Most notably, Vancouver-based construction and infrastructure specialist David Little teamed up with Vancouver’s Charlene Hiller to advise the BC government, through Transportation Investment Corporation, on a new eight-lane immersed tube tunnel that will replace the existing George Massey Tunnel. Other infrastructure industry sweet spots include healthcare, transport and social infrastructure. Calgary-based Jason Roth anchors the group and specializes in representing owners, developers and contractors on infrastructure projects, particularly in the energy, natural resources, and agriculture spheres.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jason Roth
Autres avocats clés:
David Little; Charlene Hiller; Geoffrey Stenger
Principaux clients
Providence Health Care Society
Fraser Health Authority
Northern Health Authority
Calgary Glycol Facilities Corporation
ATCO
Transportation Investment Corporation (TIC) and Province of British Columbia
BC Transit
Ovintiv Canada
Tidewater Midstream and Infrastructure
Waste Connections of Canada
Principaux dossiers
- Acting for Providence Healthcare Society on the approved St Paul’s Hospital project.
- Acting for ATCO on a hydrogen project in Alberta.
- Representing Ovintiv in multiple agreements connected to its Pipestone Expansion Project with Keyera Partnership.
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP 's integrated projects and construction group is among the largest in Canada, with the ability to draw on well-staffed platforms in key provinces across the country. Vancouver-based infrastructure specialist Douglas Sanders spearheads the department and has strong experience in PPP projects; he is advising Alstom Canada on its participation as a member of ONxpress Transportation Partners for the Metrolinx Regional Express Railway GO Rail Expansion Project, Package 3. In Montreal, Pascale Dionne is noted for project finance work, while Sarah Bird specializes in PPP and project development in Vancouver, and senior counsel Richard Shaban is noted for construction and procurement in Toronto.
Responsables de la pratique:
Douglas Sanders
Autres avocats clés:
Pascale Dionne; Sarah Bird; Christopher Eagles; Richard Shaban
Principaux clients
Alstom Transport Canada
BC Hydro
Canada Infrastructure Bank
City of Ottawa
Eldorado Gold Corporation
Groupe Nouv-LR
Oakridge Geo Thermal
Pomerleau
Saskatchewan Mining and Minerals
SNC-Lavalin
Teck Resources
Trigon Pacific Terminals
Fasken
According to sources, Fasken’s infrastructure group demonstrates ‘very good industry knowledge and attention to detail’. The team has established a strong reputation for its experience in transit projects, where it is notably representing Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx on the Ontario Line Subway Project. Alongside its work on behalf of Crown corporations and public sector clients, the group also acts for lenders, developers and contractors. From Toronto, Ella Plotkin heads the global infrastructure and projects group; she is acting alongside Toronto-based infrastructure partners, Brian Kelsall and Thomas Barlow, to lead the Ontario Line Subway Project. Other key contacts include Toronto-based procurement specialist Adam Lewinberg and Vancouver-based energy chair Paul Wilson.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ella Plotkin
Autres avocats clés:
Brian Kelsall; Thomas Barlow; Adam Lewinberg; Paul Wilson; David Curtis; Fergus McDonnell
Les références
‘The team possesses very good industry knowledge and attention to detail. Nice to see the firm building out its infrastructure capacity.’
‘We highlight Adam Lewinberg, David Curtis, and Fergus McDonnell. They all provide good, clear advice in a pragmatic manner.’
Principaux clients
Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx
Société québécoise des infrastructures (SQI)
Quebec City
TC Energy in respect of the Coastal GasLink Pipeline project
Government of Canada and Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
Infrastructure Ontario and Weeneebayko Health Authority
Infrastructure Ontario and the Ottawa Hospital
Plenary Americas
Plenary Americas, Woojin Construction and Tutor Perini Corporation in respect of the Inglewood Transit Connector Project
Cordia Development
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx on the Ontario line subway P3 project.
- Advising Infrastructure Ontario and Weeneebayko Health Authority on Infrastructure Ontario’s first progressive P3 project, the Weeneebayko Health Authority Redevelopment Project.
- Acting for Quebec City on the structuring and procurement of its C$3.3bn DBFM public transit network project, the Quebec City Tramway project.
Gowling WLG
Among Gowling WLG’s key attributes, sources value the infrastructure team’s ‘high level of collaboration’ and ‘strong reactivity’. Primarily recognized for its public sector-side work, where it leverages the wider firm’s close relationships with Crown corporations and municipal clients, the group also routinely acts for contractors. In a recent example of its work in the latter sphere, Toronto-based Mark Platteel paired up with talented Vancouver-based senior associate Natasha Rana to advise a consortium (formed by Dragados Canada, Acciona Infrastructure Canada and Aecon Infrastructure Management) on its bid for Phase One of the Calgary Green Line LRT Project. Platteel co-heads the practice together with Toronto-based Ted Betts and Montreal’s Luc Lissoir. Former department co-head Faithe Holder recently retired.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ted Betts; Mark Platteel; Luc Lissoir
Autres avocats clés:
Merie-Anne Beavis; Lindsay Wong; Natasha Rana; Matthew Bernardo
Les références
‘Gowlings is my go to for legal advice on complex deals. It is a firm that really values relationships; every time I have visited the team, the office has been extremely friendly and helpful. There is a good diversity and inclusivity atmosphere, and the staff and IT support have been helpful.’
‘Individuals are well-known in the industry, and make an effort to build relationships which goes a long way in business. Very knowledgeable, and always available to help resolve issues.’
‘We recommend the team for its market knowledge and high level of collaboration, plus direct experience with in-house prerogatives.’
Principaux clients
Acciona
AECOM
Bombardier/Alstom
Canada Infrastructure Bank
Dragados/ACS
Infrastructure Ontario
Johnson Controls
Keolis
Metrolinx
Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable
Ministry of Transportation Ontario
Plenary Group (Canada)
RATP Dév., a subsidiary of the Société nationale des Chemins de fer de France
Société québécoise des infrastructures
Toronto Community Housing Corporation
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Canada Infrastructure Bank on a C$277m financing in support of a $1.2bn+ (Phase 1) bioenergy project located in Varennes, Quebec.
- Advised a consortium (formed by Dragados Canada, Acciona Infrastructure Canada and Aecon Infrastructure Management) on its bid for Phase One of the Calgary Green Line LRT Project.
- Advised the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité Durable on the alternate mode public procurement of the Reconstruction of the Île-aux-Tourtes Bridge and Deconstruction of the Existing Bridge Project.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Noted for its ‘knowledge and experience across all infrastructure sectors’, Norton Rose Fulbright’s full-spectrum practice brings together specialists in public and government finance, banking, projects and PPP structures. As to its industry strong suits, the group is widely admired for its record in transport projects — including rail, ports and roads — as well as energy and social infrastructure. From Vancouver, Jay LeMoine fronts the Canadian infrastructure team and is advising the Province of British Columbia on the C$3.1bn Rapid Transit Rail project in Metro Vancouver. Other key contacts include Toronto-based project finance specialist Sandra Nissan and Vancouver-based global head of infrastructure and resources, Douglas Buchanan.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jay LeMoine; Douglas Buchanan
Autres avocats clés:
Sandra Nissan; Geoffrey Gilbert; David Eeles
Les références
‘A wealth of knowledge and experience across all infrastructure sectors. Public and private sector base, solid market understanding, demonstrable experience with wide spectrum of delivery models, including private financing, solid litigation teams, direct involvement by a dedicated partner.’
‘Solid understanding of both legal and commercial aspects of situation whether that be a one-off issue, negotiation of a settlement or contract. Good balance between a practical and legal perspective.’
‘The NRF team has strong breadth and depth of experience and expertise. It has assisted us with developing non-traditional contract models in response to our complex project needs and a challenging contractor market.’
Principaux clients
SNC-Lavalin
Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec
Infrastructure Ontario
TransLink
Metrolinx
Province of British Columbia
InfraRed Capital
OMERS Infrastructure Management
BBGI Global Infrastructure
MM (Marubeni/Mizuho) Capital Infrastructure Fund
Siemens Mobility
Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners
Alberta Electric System Operator
SaskBuilds
Metro Vancouver (Greater Vancouver Sewerage & Drainage District)
Capital Regional District (Greater Victoria)
City of Ottawa
Infrastructure British Columbia
Seaspan
Prince Rupert Port Authority
Fraser Health Authority
Axium Infrastructure
Comox Valley Regional District
WSP Canada
STRABAG
Lulu Island Energy Company / City of Richmond
Maple Reinders Constructors
BBGI SICAV
Enwave Energy Corporation
Canada Infrastructure Bank
Principaux dossiers
- Advised Lulu Island Energy Company on the expansion and operation of its district energy system using a P3 (DBFOM) structure.
- Advised Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners on the acquisition (at an early stage of development), subsequent development, project financing and disposition of the 465 MW Travers solar power project in Southern Alberta.
- Advised the Province of British Columbia on the C$3.1bn Rapid Transit Rail project in Metro Vancouver.
Stikeman Elliott LLP
Stikeman Elliott LLP’s practice specializes in representing major banks in infrastructure lending. The team’s finance offering is underpinned by strong skill sets in procurement, construction and engineering-related matters. Vancouver-based Jamie Templeton co-heads the department and is recommended for his experience in project finance, infrastructure investment and M&A. Toronto-based group co-head Patrick Duffy fronts the project development and regulatory side of the practice. Montreal-based Dominique Rolland, who was recently promoted to partner, is also noted for infrastructure transactions. Erik Richer La Flèche recently retired.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jamie Templeton; Patrick Duffy
Autres avocats clés:
Aaron Fransen; Maxime Turcotte; Dominique Rolland
Principaux clients
EllisDon Infrastructure
Canada Infrastructure Bank
First Nations Limited Partnership
Peak Power
Siemens Financial
Boralex
EDF Renewables North America
ITC Holdings Corp
AgeCare Health Services
Axium Infrastructure
Mi’gmawei Mawiomi Business Corporation
Japan Bank for International Cooperation
Aird & Berlis LLP
With a particular focus on PPP projects, Aird & Berlis LLP’s infrastructure group brings to bear extensive experience in advising on construction, procurement and financing matters. The practice is equipped to represent all key stakeholders across a wide range of infrastructure sectors, but it is arguably best known for its close relationships with municipal clients and Crown corporations, including Infrastructure Ontario, SaskBuilds Corporation and the City of Edmonton. PPP specialist Douglas Younger chairs a department that also includes Heidi Visser, who is noted for project finance.
Responsables de la pratique:
Douglas Younger
Autres avocats clés:
Heidi Visser; Paul Jachymek; Ryan Chalmers
Principaux clients
Infrastructure Ontario
Quinte Health
Ontario Ministry of Transportation
City of Edmonton
The Government of Nova Scotia
Saskatchewan Ministry of Highways
Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Corporation
Humber River Hospital
Fomento de Construcciones y Contratas Canada
Amico Infrastructures
Metrolinx
British Columbia Infrastructure Benefits
Greystar Canada
Quinte Health
SaskBuilds Corporation
Principaux dossiers
- Advising Infrastructure Ontario on all aspects of the Ontario Highway 3 Widening Project.
- Advising Quinte Health and Infrastructure Ontario on the redevelopment of the Prince Edward County Memorial Hospital, procured by way of Design-Bid-Build.
- Advising Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx on its Transit-Oriented Communities Development Program in connection with the Ontario Line Subway Project.
Dentons
Dentons enjoys a prominent reputation for transport-related infrastructure matters, where it has a strong record on behalf of public sector clients, including Transport Canada and Montréal Port Authority, among others. The group also acts for developers and lenders on Canadian and international projects. Montreal-based Ilan Dunsky co-heads the department and handles an array of procurement, project development and finance matters. Vancouver-based Jana Mansour co-leads the group and also contributes to the construction and project finance teams.
Responsables de la pratique:
Ilan Dunsky; Jana Mansour
Autres avocats clés:
Mathilde Carrière; Lampros Stougiannos; Charles Bardou
Principaux clients
Department of Justice Canada (Transport Canada)
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Livent
JGC Fluor
Stadler
Montréal Port Authority
CIB
Enbridge
Knight Piésold
City of Victoria
Principaux dossiers
- Advising the Department of Justice Canada and Transport Canada on the structuring and procurement of the High Frequency Rail Project.
- Advising Montréal Port Authority on the design, construction, financing, operation and maintenance of a new container terminal on its Contrecœur property.
- Advising Vancouver Fraser Port Authority on procurement and design-build matters for the expansion of the container terminal in the heart of Vancouver’s downtown waterfront.