Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s infrastructure practice is distinguished by its ability to land key roles advising all major stakeholders in Canada’s largest projects, including recent engagements for public sector entities, lenders, sponsors and developers. 2023/24 was a particularly strong year on the public sector side, which saw Toronto-based procurement expert Marianne Smith act for the City of Calgary on the development of a C$5bn light rail transit line, among other mandates. Vancouver managing partner Jeffrey Merrick contributes extensive experience in infrastructure work and fronts an enviably deep bench that also includes high-profile Toronto-based projects specialist Catherine Doyle, who focuses on representing lenders, developers and sponsors on large-scale projects. Other key contacts are Mark Johnson, who splits his time between Toronto and Ottawa; Alain Massicotte, who spearheads the Montreal infrastructure and PPP area; Toronto-based Alyssa Shivji, whose increasingly prominent practice spans procurement, infrastructure and construction; and Claudie Imbleau-Chagnon, who recently joined in Montreal from Ivanhoé Cambridge.

‘An exceptionally commercial team with unparalleled project finance experience’, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP’s infrastructure group scores highly with clients for its practical approach. A popular choice to handle PPP projects (it has notably closed 60 greenfield PPP projects over the past decade), the group’s experience spans transport, healthcare, energy and natural resources, among other spheres. Real estate and infrastructure partner Gregory Southam is widely regarded as a go-to expert for complex projects; he advised the Canada Infrastructure Bank on the development of a C$1.5bn financing program for the Government of Canada’s zero-emission buses initiative. The Toronto-based group additionally draws on Carol Pennycook, who is sought after for her project finance expertise; William Buchner, who represents developers, investors, lenders and borrowers on infrastructure projects; Nicholas Williams, who combines strength in projects and energy work; and David White, who has a focus on PPP transactions. Associate Trevor Kirsh provides dedicated practice support. Robert Bauer recently retired.

DLA Piper (Canada) LLP’s international-facing projects practice is frequently involved in projects at home and abroad, as evidenced by its current involvement in matters across the USA, Europe and the Caribbean. The team is additionally distinguished by its longstanding record at the forefront of Canada’s PPP market, including its recent experience on projects using new infrastructure models, such as progressive design-build contracts, among other structures. UK-qualified foreign legal consultant Ian Bendell chairs the national infrastructure and projects department from Toronto. Bendell is representing VIA HFR-TGF, a newly established crown corporation created as a subsidiary of VIA Rail, on the High Frequency Rail Project. The group also draws on the senior expertise of tri-qualified (BC/Ontario/UK) Andrew Burton, who splits his practice between Vancouver and Toronto, and who advised on a slew of transport projects during 2023/24; and Vancouver-based procurement specialist Elizabeth Mayer, who is dual-qualified in BC and the UK, and who maintains particularly strong relationships with public sector clients.

Demonstrating involvement in marquee projects across Canada, McCarthy Tétrault’s national team is adept at representing private and public-sector stakeholders in large-scale infrastructure mandates. In Vancouver, Linda Brown is highly regarded for her ability to act for the full range of project owners, project developers and lenders; she is acting alongside the real estate group to advise the City of Calgary on the construction of a new event centre which will replace the Scotiabank Saddledome Arena. Additional names in Vancouver include Morgan Troke, who routinely acts for lenders and borrowers on major infrastructure projects; Samantha Cunliffe, whose practice spans project finance and project development; and up-and-coming partner Liezl Behm, who handles a range of project finance, PPP projects and secondary market transactions. A sizeable Toronto bench draws on projects and power specialist David Lever; projects disputes head Julie Parla, who co-heads the department together with Brown and Lever; and senior strategic advisor, Godyne Sibay, who is recommended for project development.

The ‘practical and collaborative’ infrastructure practice at Torys is distinguished by its full-spectrum coverage of projects matters, from procurement and financing, through to development and secondary market activity. With experience in acting for all key stakeholders, including public sector authorities, project consortiums and lenders, the group additionally stands out for its thriving US projects offering. Toronto-based Mark Bain is highly regarded for his extensive experience in first-of-a-kind projects; he is acting alongside Toronto’s Josh Van Deurzen to advise Infrastructure Ontario, as the public authority, on the procurement process for the Accelerated High-Speed Internet Program. Bain co-heads the department together with Toronto-based power specialist Krista Hill and New York-based Tara Mackay, who has a focus on international work. The Toronto team additionally draws on high-profile project finance partner Scott Kraag, as well as a strong band of up-and-coming associates including Jessica Ho-Wo-Cheong (senior) and Emily Stewart (intermediate).

Leveraging its signature practice strength, Bennett Jones LLP is a dominant force in energy infrastructure projects, including oil and gas pipelines, solar projects and transmission projects. The group also brings to bear significant experience in healthcare-related work, as well as growing activity in transport-related infrastructure. David Little (Vancouver) specializes in project procurement and development and is advising the Fraser Health Authority on the Royal Columbian Hospital Redevelopment Project. Construction expert Jason Roth (Calgary) heads a team that also includes Geoffrey Stenger (Calgary), who is noted for energy infrastructure, and projects partner Charlene Hiller (Vancouver).

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP’s projects team interacts with the wider firm’s top-tier construction offering to excel in representing developers in infrastructure projects. The group also acts for project owners, including public authorities, while it additionally utilizes its project finance practice to support borrowers and lenders on major projects. Vancouver-based Douglas Sanders heads the department and is advising Alstom Canada, as part of ONxpress Transportation Partners, on the Metrolinx Regional Express Railway GO Rail expansion project. Also noted are Montreal-based project finance specialist Pascale Dionne and Vancouver-based infrastructure partner Sarah Bird.

Fasken’s projects practice scores highly for its ‘extensive domestic and international experience in infrastructure projects’, with its recent work spanning projects across Canada and the US. The team kept particularly busy on transport mandates during 2023/24, where it acted for a mix of public authorities and project consortiums on transit, road and bridge projects, among others. Toronto-based Ella Plotkin anchors the group and is acting alongside projects specialists Brian Kelsall (Toronto) and Thomas Barlow (Toronto) to advise Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx on the Ontario Line Subway P3 project. Toronto-based procurement partner Adam Lewinberg is also recommended.

Gowling WLG’s construction offering is reflected in its in infrastructure work and it handles a significant volume of matters on behalf of project developers and subcontractors, including litigation. The team is additionally well versed in representing project owners, particularly public sector authorities. Mark Platteel (Toronto) maintains a thriving projects practice and recently paired up with next-generation partner Natasha Rana (Toronto) to advise Dragados Canada, Acciona Infrastructure Canada and Aecon Infrastructure Management on their joint bid for Phase One of the Calgary Green Line Light Rail Transit Project. Ted Betts (Toronto) and Luc Lissoir (Montreal) co-head the team together with Platteel.

Norton Rose Fulbright handles a mix of rail, road, airport, energy and social infrastructure projects, with the ability to resource matters across Canada. The group is a popular choice to represent public authorities and crown corporations on major projects, where it benefits from its ability to leverage its public and government finance practice. Vancouver-based Jay LeMoine heads the department nationally and is advising the Province of British Columbia on a C$3.1bn rapid transit rail project. Also noted are project finance specialist Sandra Nissan (Toronto); next-generation partner Jenya Hammond (Vancouver); and global infrastructure head Douglas Buchanan (New York/Vancouver).

Among Stikeman Elliott LLP’s infrastructure strong suits, the group stands out for its robust project finance expertise, which sees it represent borrowers and lenders on significant projects. The team is primarily active in the energy sector, with extensive experience in the renewable energy, conventional power and oil and gas spheres. The department is led jointly by infrastructure, project finance and M&A partner Jamie Templeton (Vancouver) and project development-focused Patrick Duffy (Toronto). Aaron Fransen (Toronto) is also noted for project finance.

The infrastructure group at Toronto-based Aird & Berlis LLP is routinely involved in projects in Ontario and beyond, with its recent work additionally spanning matters in British Columbia, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan. Department head Douglas Younger contributes extensive experience in PPPs, including projects in the transport, healthcare and wastewater spheres. Also noted are Heidi Visser and Ryan Chalmers, who specialize in project finance and procurement respectively.

During 2023/24, Dentons’ infrastructure practice handled a string of procurement matters on behalf of its public sector clients, including Department of Justice Canada and Vancouver Fraser Port Authority. The team also frequently acts for developers and lenders on infrastructure projects. The department is led jointly by Montreal-based Ilan Dunsky, who advises on infrastructure development and project finance; and Vancouver-based Jana Mansour, who acts for project owners, developers and contractors on a broad scope of procurement, development and finance-related matters.