The full-spectrum power practice at Borden Ladner Gervais LLP combines a dominant regulatory offering with strong skill sets in transactional and contentious energy work. Drawing on specialists across the country, the national group acts for a comprehensive mix of government entities, electrical utilities, power developers, lenders and equity investors across conventional, renewable and nuclear power matters. Toronto-based John Vellone fronts the energy, resources and renewables department and strikes a balance between regulatory and transactional work; he recently acted alongside transactional partner Rob Blackstein (Toronto) to advise Northland Power on the acquisition, development, construction and financing of the C$750m Oneida battery storage project. Other key contacts in Toronto include Shane Freitag, who chairs the power area and is recommended for transactional work, and regulatory specialist Mark Rodger. In Calgary, Jonathan Liteplo is a go-to power regulation practitioner, while regional managing partner Alan Ross KC is sought after for his broad energy regulation expertise, which spans electricity, renewables, and oil and gas.

A destination firm for energy transactions across Canada, McCarthy Tétrault’s national power practice additionally brings to bear significant regulatory firepower. In terms of the former sphere, the group is active across a broad range of corporate, M&A, finance and project-related matters, where it is equipped to represent all key sector stakeholders, including developers, utilities, lenders and industrial users, among others. In Toronto, infrastructure group chair David Lever is widely recognized as a go-to specialist for power transactions; he recently advised Cameco Corporation on its $7.8bn acquisition, together with Brookfield Renewable Partners, of Westinghouse Electric Company. Other recommended transactional partners include Toronto-based Seán O’Neill, who spearheads the power industry group; Toronto’s Suzanne Murphy, whose practice spans M&A, corporate finance, project development and general corporate issues; and Louis-Nicolas Boulanger in Montreal. On the regulatory side, Calgary-based Kimberly Howard is noted for her adept handling of both power and oil and gas work, while Toronto’s Gordon Nettleton covers energy regulatory, environmental and Indigenous law-related matters. In July 2023, commercial energy partner Thomas McInerney joined in Calgary from Bennett Jones LLP.

According to satisfied clients, Torys’ ‘depth of power knowledge and experience is unparalleled’. Leveraging well-staffed platforms in both Toronto and Calgary, the sizeable national practice is well weighted between transactional and regulatory work and it enjoys close relationships with some of Canada’s largest utilities, including Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Hydro One — among other major industry participants. Toronto-based transactional power expert Krista Hill co-heads the practice and recently advised OPG on multiple matters, including on the Darlington small modular reactor project. The Toronto team also draws on fellow department co-head Charles Keizer, who specializes in regulatory matters; Valerie Helbronner, who is highly regarded for power project development and financings; transactional partner Huw Evans, who impresses with his ‘great negotiation skills’; and Jonathan Myers, whose practice spans energy regulation and project development. In Calgary, office managing partner Lou Cusano and senior counsel David Wood are names to note for regulatory matters.

Contributing extensive experience in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario, Bennett Jones LLP’s national power practice stands out for its thriving projects offering, where it is recognized for its record across the full chain of generation, transmission and distribution projects. The group also handles M&A, joint ventures and corporate finance matters on the commercial front, while its regulatory expertise covers a wide scope of energy, environmental and Indigenous law. The team is co-led out of Calgary by David Macaulay, who has an emphasis on energy transactions, and energy regulation head Martin Ignasiak.

Particularly noted for its expertise in projects and commercial transactions, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s power practice is driven out of Toronto by Vivian Kung, who specializes in power, infrastructure and M&A. The national group also draws on transactional partners Keith Byblow (Calgary), Sébastien Vilder (Montreal), Scott Clarke (Calgary) and up-and-coming name, Ky Kvisle (Toronto). The transactional team is supported by a growing regulatory offering led by Calgary-based energy regulation head Terri-Lee Oleniuk and also including Toronto-based counsel Reena Goyal, who recently joined from McCarthy Tétrault — Goyal contributes significant in-house experience gained during an eight-year stint at the Independent Electricity System Operator (IESO).

Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP impresses with its experience on ‘cutting-edge power and utilities projects’. Well versed across the full gamut of power matters, it is chiefly distinguished by its expertise in M&A, investments and project finance. The Toronto-based team’s formidable transactional firepower was recently evidenced by Anthony Spadaro’s advice to Axium Infrastructure on the acquisition of the Travers Solar Project — the largest solar project in Canada at the time of closing. Nicholas Williams co-heads the department alongside Spadaro and is highly regarded for his combination of corporate, finance and projects expertise. Sarah Powell fronts the regulatory side of the practice, with support from associate Robyn Barabash.

Gowling WLG fields a comprehensive power practice that draws on transactional and regulatory specialists in the renewables, energy transition and nuclear spheres. The team additionally benefits from its ability to lean on the wider firm’s prominent offerings in Indigenous, environmental and infrastructure law. Ahab Abdel-Aziz serves as global director of nuclear power generation and recently advised Atomic Energy of Canada on its memorandum of understanding with AtkinsRéalis to deploy CANDU reactors in Canada and internationally. Thomas Timmins heads the Canadian energy group and is recommended for projects work. Also noted are energy regulation partner Ian Mondrow and nuclear law associate Magdalena Hanebach. Named lawyers are based in Toronto.

A dominant force in Western Canada, Vancouver-headquartered Lawson Lundell LLP is considered by many as a leader for power regulation matters in BC, while it additionally enjoys close links with utilities in Alberta and Saskatchewan. The team enjoys a particularly strong relationship with trophy client BC Hydro; notably, energy and utilities specialist Jeff Christian (Vancouver/Calgary) is representing BC Hydro as a member of the Canadian delegation negotiating a modernized Columbia River Treaty with the US. Clara Ferguson (Vancouver/Calgary) is also a leading regulatory specialist. The group further includes transactional partner Lana Shipley (Vancouver); Ian Webb (Vancouver), who advises on regulatory and commercial matters; and energy litigator, Michael Donaldson KC (Calgary).

Norton Rose Fulbright’s power practice is commended for its its ‘excellent breadth and depth of knowledge’. The sizeable national group maintains platforms throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Quebec, while — as a global firm — it also stands out for its cross-border prowess. Department head Matthew Keen splits his time between the Vancouver and Calgary offices and is highly regarded for his regulatory expertise; he paired up with Vancouver-based Michael Manhas to represent the Association of Major Power Customers of BC in a rate application before the BC Utilities Commission. Calgary-based projects and infrastructure specialist David Eeles and Ottawa-based project finance partner Alison Babbitt are also names to note.

A leader on the regulatory front, Stikeman Elliott LLP’s power practice further utilizes the wider firm’s premier corporate offering to handle major transactions involving the power industry. It also brings to bear significant project finance and infrastructure experience. Toronto-based regulatory expert Glenn Zacher spearheads the power division within the broader energy department and is advising the IESO on its wide-ranging market renewal program. Toronto-based Patrick Duffy is additionally noted for regulatory work, particularly in the projects space. Key transactional partners include Lanette Wilkinson (real estate, projects and M&A) and Aaron Fransen (M&A and project finance) in Toronto, along with Montreal-based next-generation partner, Dominique Rolland.

Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP’s thriving power law offering is highly regarded for its growing presence in regulatory matters, including Indigenous law and environmental law-related issues. From Calgary, Jeremy Barretto serves as chair of the regulatory group; he has been particularly active in supporting on large-scale power projects of late, alongside his work on complex regulatory proceedings. Other key contacts include Aboriginal law chair, Thomas Isaac (Vancouver); regulatory law partner Arend Hoekstra (Vancouver); and Indigenous law specialist Sandra Gogal (Toronto).

Among Dentons’ key strengths, the power team is noted for its ability to combine its oil and gas and renewable energy offerings to advise on energy transition-related matters. It also stands out for its ability to lean on its international network for support on cross-border mandates. The department is co-led by Vivek Bakshi (Toronto/Calgary) and Bernard Roth (Calgary), who specialize in transactional and regulatory work respectively. Hazel Saffery (Calgary) is also noted for her record in power transactions.

Fasken’s power work is strongly weighted towards regulatory matters, where it acts for major utilities, such as BC Hydro and Fortis, on their dealings with government regulators. Environmental and Indigenous law-related issues are also practice strong suits. Transactional partners Ron Ezekiel (Vancouver) and Brendan Sawatsky (Calgary) co-head the energy and climate group and are well versed in all key energy spheres. Christopher Bystrom (Vancouver) is recommended for power regulation. Former firm managing partner, Peter Feldberg, left in December 2023.

Aird & Berlis LLP is valued by clients for its ‘deep knowledge and experience of the utilities industry’. Primarily recognized for its strength in power regulation, including contentious cases, the Toronto-based team also handles commercial matters, particularly projects-related work. Department co-chair Ron Clark combines experience in commercial, energy and municipal law matters. The team also draws on energy co-chair Dennis O’Leary and litigation co-chair David Stevens, both of whom are noted for their regulatory expertise.