The group at Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP is instructed by both public and private sector-clients for its expertise in complex procurement processes, which spans from conception to award. It also handles the development and implementation of enterprise-wide procurement policies. At the helm of the Toronto-based practice, Marianne Smith is well-versed in advising clients on the development and preparation of public tenders and procurement processes. Key younger partners include Alyssa Shivji, who regularly assists procuring entities and bidders with the procurement process, and has particular experience relating to projects involving transportation, civil, wastewater and mining infrastructure; and Stephanie Console, who focuses on the development, preparation and ongoing administration of public tenders. Meaghan Parry and Karishma Prasanna are the key names to note at the associate level. Partner Judy Wilson passed away in March 2023.
Public procurement in Canada
Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP
Responsables de la pratique:
Marianne Smith
Principaux clients
City of Calgary
City of Toronto
VIA Rail Canada
City of Mississauga
City of Winnipeg
Marine Atlantic
Ontario Securities Commission
University of Toronto
Principaux dossiers
- Assisted the City of Calgary with the development of a light rail transit line in Calgary, Alberta.
- Assisted the City of Toronto with the rehabilitation of the F.G. Gardiner Expressway.
- Assisted VIA Rail with its Corridor Fleet Replacement Project, a project aimed at procuring a new bi-directional fleet of 32 trainsets to replace VIA Rail’s fleet operating in the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor.
Cassidy Levy Kent LLP
The group at Cassidy Levy Kent LLP is well-versed in litigation, often representing government agencies, Crown corporations and private corporations in the defence and construction sectors. The team has significant experience representing clients before many levels of court, including the Federal Court, Federal Court of Appeal, Ontario Superior Court of Justice and the Ontario Court of Appeal. Practice co-head Gerry Stobo has a strong track record advising clients on public procurement challenges before the Canadian Trade Tribunal. Alongside him, Marc McLaren-Caux is also noted for his litigation expertise and for his experience advising companies on contractual disputes and pre-contractual issues involving both federal and provincial governments.
Responsables de la pratique:
Marc McLaren-Caux; Gerry Stobo
Les références
‘The team’s personal approach stands out; not only are they experts in their field, but they are friendly and a pleasure to speak to.’
Principaux clients
EllisDon Corporation
Heddle Marine Service
Government of Alberta
General Dynamics Mission System – Canada
Horizon Maritime Services
Rampart International
Falcon Environmental
Cadex
P1 Consulting
Principaux dossiers
- Represented Heddle Marine Service at the Canadian International Trade Tribunal in defence of a major Canadian Coast Guard contract award to refurbish and repower the CCGS Terry Fox.
- Represented the Government of Alberta in arbitration involving the awarding of a major public contract.
- Represented EllisDon Corporation at the Canadian International Trade Tribunal in a challenge to a major construction contract award.
Fasken
Fasken's practice covers the gamut of procurement matters and is routinely sought out for its expertise on high-profile public procurement projects and transactions across Canada. The team is also noted for its experience overseeing cross-border procurement matters involving the United States. Department head Peter Mantas regularly acts as lead litigation procurement counsel in significant public procurements. Partner Marcia Mills provides the federal government and private and public sector clients with legal advice throughout the procurement cycle. Both split their time between Ottawa and Toronto.
Responsables de la pratique:
Peter Mantas
Autres avocats clés:
Marcia Mills
Principaux clients
Bronson Consulting Group
United Kingdom Department of International Trade
Thales DIS Canada
Infrastructure Ontario/ Metrolinx – Ontario Line Subway Project
Government of Canada and Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority
Principaux dossiers
- Represented Bronson Consulting Group in a procurement dispute with the Government of Canada.
- Advised Infrastructure Ontari and Metrolinx on the planning, preparation, procurement and construction processes for the 16km subway project.
Norton Rose Fulbright
Working under the umbrella of the firm’s infrastructure department, the procurement team at Norton Rose Fulbright handles bid preparation, including security clearance issues, and assists with the development of procurement templates and policies for both governmental and private sector clients. The group is equipped to take care of each stage of projects, from procurement strategy counsel and the negotiation and preparation of contracts through to project delivery and post-contract advice. The practice is co-led by Vancouver-based infrastructure practice head Jay LeMoine and specialist litigator Jenna Anne de Jong, who works from the Ottawa office. Senior partner and ex-practice head Martin Masse is an additional key contact.
Responsables de la pratique:
Jay LeMoine; Jenna Anne de Jong
Autres avocats clés:
Martin Masse
Les références
‘The 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. A relative advantage to some other firms is the ability to draw in lawyers from its offices in other countries where other contractual approaches have been tried and they have been brought in seamlessly to support the team.’
Principaux clients
Seaspan ULC
PricewaterhouseCoopers
CDPQ Infra
Infrastructure Ontario
TransLink
Metrolinx
Province of BC
Alberta Electric System Operator
SaskBuilds
City of Edmonton
Metro Vancouver (Greater Vancouver Sewage & Drainage District)
Capital Regional District (Greater Victoria)
City of Ottawa
Infrastructure British Columbia
Prince Rupert Port Authority
Fraser Health Authority
BCE
EMD
Vancouver Island Health Authority
Lower Mainland Health Authorities
Toronto Hydro
Partnerships BC
Bombardier
Principaux dossiers
- Represented PricewaterhouseCoopers in two procurement challenges before the Canadian International Trade Tribunal.
- Advised the Ministry of Transport and Infrastructure, the Ministry of the Attorney General, and Infrastructure British Columbia in relation to the Belleville Terminal Redevelopment Project.
- Advised the Province of British Columbia on a C$3.1bn rapid transit rail project in Metro Vancouver, involving a 16.5 km extension of the existing Expo SkyTrain Line.
Borden Ladner Gervais LLP
The 49-strong group at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP has experience representing both government authorities – including Crown corporations and municipalities – and private sector developers, in a wide spectrum of public procurements. Vancouver-based partner Douglas Sanders co-heads the practice and majors on PPPs and the drafting of construction contracts. Alongside him, counsel Richard Shaban of the Toronto office assists hospitals, public authorities and developers with construction projects. Mark Fecenko completes the leadership trio.
Responsables de la pratique:
Richard Shaban; Doug Sanders; Mark Fecenko
Principaux clients
BC Hydro
City of Ottawa
Eldorado Gold
Oakridge Geo Thermal
Ontario Hospitals Association
Pomerleau
Saskatchewan Mining and Minerals
Trigon Pacific Terminals
Volkswagen
Dentons
The expertise of the Dentons group encompasses public procurement at all levels of government, including federal, provincial, municipal and Crown corporations. The practice’s sectoral experience includes technology, energy, construction and defence. Practice head Paul Lalonde leads from Toronto and specializes in government procurement, international trade and arbitration. Partner Sean Stephenson is noted for his knowledge of government contracting law.
Responsables de la pratique:
Paul Lalonde
Autres avocats clés:
Sean Stephenson
Principaux clients
Amazon Web Services
Waterfront Toronto
Vancouver Fraser Port Authority
Montréal’s University Health Services Centres CHUM, MUHC, Sainte-Justine UHC
TeamDynamix
VF Worldwide Holdings
West-Can Seal Coating
FTI Professional Grade
Tiree Facility Solutions
IBI Group
ECA Robotics
Fox News Network
Department of Justice Canada
Lifelabs
ECA Robotics
Campbell Drug Stores
Principaux dossiers
- Represented Amazon Web Services in challenging the implementation of a federal Request for a Supply Arrangement for Government Contract Centre Services valued at $150m at the Canadian International Trade Tribunal.
- Represented Tiree Facility Solutions as the successful bidder in the procurement challenge at the Canadian International Trade Tribunal brought by Tiree’s competitor in relation to a project management project for the Department of Foreign Affairs, Trade and Development.
McCarthy Tétrault
The department at McCarthy Tétrault handles the range of all procurement matters, demonstrating particular strength in the structuring of procurements, defending clients procurements from legal challenges and preparing contracts. Toronto-based practice co-head Tristan Musgrave covers real estate matters and the resolution of procurement disputes, while David Crane has niche expertise in technology procurement. Disputes partner Julie Parla is an additional key contact.
Responsables de la pratique:
Tristan Musgrave; David Crane; Debra Finlay
Autres avocats clés:
Julie Parla
Principaux clients
Canada Infrastructure Bank
Ministry of the Solicitor General Ontario
Waterfront Toronto
Atlantic Towing
Niagara Health System
Irving Shipbuilding
Metrolinx
The Province of BC
Infrastructure Ontario
Trillium Health Partners
Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP
The group at Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP is routinely instructed by clients in the energy, transportation and social infrastructure segments seeking assistance with public procurement matters. The team’s members collaborate seamlessly with peers in the firm’s infrastructure, construction, technology and energy departments. The practice is coordinated by Toronto-based Christopher Bennett, who specializes in project finance and structured finance.
Responsables de la pratique:
Chris Bennett
Principaux clients
EllisDon Capital
Infrastructure Ontario
Meridiam Infrastructure North America
Fiera Infrastructure
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
Trans Mountain Pipeline