Enviably well-distributed across Canada, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s national projects group leverages its broad regional platform to excel in major developments across all key jurisdictions and sectors. Acting for both public- and private-sector participants, the team’s experience spans the full project life cycle from procurement, concession agreements and construction contracts through to project finance, secondary market transactions and disputes. In Toronto, department co-head Marianne Smith is highly regarded for her record in procuring major infrastructure development projects; she recently advised the City of Calgary on the C$5.5bn development of a light rail transit line — a project that was ultimately stalled. The Toronto team further includes Mark Johnson, who also operates from Ottawa and specializes in power, infrastructure and public-private partnership (PPP) projects; and Alyssa Shivji, who led a slew of transport projects during 2024/25. From Montreal, Claudie Imbleau-Chagnon co-heads the national practice and advises government entities, contractors, sponsors and lenders on project development transactions. Alain Massicotte leads the infrastructure and PPP area in Montreal and is also recommended. Rounding out the senior names is Vancouver managing partner Jeffrey Merrick, who brings deep expertise in pioneering infrastructure projects. In October 2024, Catherine Doyle left the firm.

Leveraging an impressive record in pathfinder projects, Davies Ward Phillips & Vineberg LLP’s PPP and infrastructure team has closed over 70 greenfield PPPs in the past decade. The thriving practice is routinely engaged by consortiums to advise on major infrastructure projects across Canada and the US, with recent experience spanning rail, airports, bridges, tunnels, nuclear facilities and hospitals. High-profile department co-head Gregory Southam is a go-to adviser for marquee transport, energy and social infrastructure projects; he recently advised Aecon Infrastructure Management and Sacyr Canada on the progressive design-build contract for the QEW Garden City Skyway – Bridge Twinning project in Niagara. Fellow co-head William Buchner handles a broad range of project and secondary market transactions; he is advising the North End Connectors consortium on its bid to design, build and finance the Yonge North Subway Extension – Advance Tunnel Project. The Toronto-based team also includes Nicholas Williams, whose practice intersects finance, infrastructure, energy and corporate work; David White, who focuses on PPP transactions; and project finance partner Anthony Spadaro. Associate Trevor Kirsh is also recommended for infrastructure matters. Carol Pennycook recently retired.

The full-service projects practice at McCarthy Tétrault houses strong offerings in PPPs, project finance, infrastructure transactions and disputes. Active across the country, the group maintains close relationships with a wide range of public sector entities, project proponents, EPC contractors and lenders, including key players such as Infrastructure Ontario and Canada Infrastructure Bank. Vancouver-based infrastructure and project finance specialist Linda Brown co-heads the team and advises clients from the bidding process through to financial close. Brown recently acted alongside Vancouver-based Jody Aldcorn to advise Aecon Concessions and Vinci Airports on their bid for a concession to finance, redevelop, operate and maintain the Howard Hamilton International Airport in the Turks and Caicos Islands. The deep Vancouver bench also includes Morgan Troke, who focuses on  PPP, infrastructure and energy; Samantha Cunliffe, who acts for borrowers and lenders on infrastructure projects; and up-and-coming partner Liezl Behm. The national projects department is additionally co-led from Toronto by senior counsel and power specialist David Lever and litigator Julie Parla. Other key contacts include Anca Neacsu and counsel Godyne Sibay, based in Montreal and Toronto respectively.

A leader for projects across North America, Torys’ infrastructure practice is ‘world class’, according to clients. The group handles a comprehensive mix of PPPs, infrastructure projects, project financings and secondary market transactions, with dominant offerings in the transport, telecoms, energy — including nuclear — and social infrastructure spheres. Sector specialist Mark Bain spearheads the PPP unit and also co-heads the overarching infrastructure and energy group. Bain is acting alongside Ontario- and New York-qualified Josh Van Deurzen to assist Infrastructure Ontario with its Ontario Satellite Internet Program, a competitive procurement process to deliver satellite internet service to unserved and underserved homes and businesses across Ontario. The infrastructure and energy department is additionally co-led by power expert Krista Hill, whose recent work particularly impresses on the nuclear infrastructure side; and New York-based Tara Mackay, who is recommended for international projects. On the project finance front, Scott Kraag and Milosz Zemanek are names to note. A strong second line of associates includes Calgary-based Emily Stewart, who advises on energy-related infrastructure mandates, and project finance-focused Vidushi Hora. Named lawyers are based in Toronto unless otherwise stated.

A force in Western Canada, Bennett Jones LLP’s infrastructure group is characterized by its strength in energy and natural resources matters, including oil and gas, mining and power projects. Among its other core specialisms, the team brings significant experience in healthcare, rail and bus projects. In Vancouver, David Little is widely regarded as a leader in procurement, PPP and development projects. Charlene Hiller is also a key contact in Vancouver for infrastructure matters, including procurement, construction and environmental law. In Calgary, construction head Jason Roth advises owners, developers and contractors on a broad range of energy, natural resources and social infrastructure projects, while infrastructure industry lead Geoffrey Stenger is also recommended.

Borden Ladner Gervais LLP’s national infrastructure group stands out for its ability to collaborate with the firm’s leading construction practice, while it also draws on specialists in the energy, procurement and transport sectors. Vancouver-based Douglas Sanders heads the PPP unit and is additionally a key contact for the public procurement team; he is currently leading multibillion-dollar projects in the rail, wastewater and power spheres. Montreal-based Pascale Dionne leads the Quebec infrastructure practice and contributes experience across the entire project lifecycle, from structuring and bid preparation through to financing and operational matters. Other key figures include Vancouver-based Sarah Bird, who specializes in PPPs and project finance, and Toronto-based senior counsel Richard Shaban, who has a strong record in healthcare PPPs.

During 2024/25, Fasken’s close relationship with Infrastructure Ontario paid dividends, with the firm advising it on a string of major projects (alongside other sponsors), including the Ontario Line Subway P3 project, the Weeneebayko Health Authority Redevelopment Project and the Ottawa Hospital Civic Campus Redevelopment Project. Alongside its work for crown agencies, the team has also recently advised energy companies, contractors and lenders, among other stakeholders, on infrastructure projects. A strong Toronto bench is led by global projects and infrastructure head Ella Plotkin, who specializes in project finance, development and PPPs. Other recommended names in Toronto include project finance and infrastructure expert Brian Kelsall; projects and procurement partners Thomas Barlow and Adam Lewinberg; and rising star associate Andrew Jerjian.

‘Very hands on with helping solve problems’, Gowling WLG’s sizeable practice brings extensive experience in representing all stakeholders in infrastructure projects, including public authorities, contractors, project companies and sponsors. Equipped to advise on all stages of a project, the team draws on specialists in procurement, contract negotiation, financing, operation and disputes. The national department is co-led by Toronto-based Mark Platteel, who is recommended for his focus on PPPs, project finance and construction contracts; Montreal-based Luc Lissoir, who fronts the procurement, projects and infrastructure practice in Quebec; and Toronto-based construction specialist Ted Betts. The team also benefits from a strong bench of up-and-coming infrastructure partners, with Natasha Rana and Joey Suri noted in Toronto and Montreal respectively.

The infrastructure team at Norton Rose Fulbright provides ‘informed advice that is tailored to the client’s strategic needs’. Distinguished by its ability to operate across Canada and beyond, the practice also stands out for its orientation towards public sector-side mandates, where it acts for municipalities, health authorities and government ministries on large-scale projects in the transport, energy and social infrastructure sectors. Canadian infrastructure head Jay LeMoine divides his time between Vancouver and Toronto and is a popular choice to represent government entities on project development; he also acts for private-sector clients. Other key contacts include infrastructure and project finance partner Sandra Nissan (Toronto); global infrastructure lead Douglas Buchanan (New York/Vancouver); and next-generation partners Jenya Hammond (Vancouver) and Ethan Sinclair (Ottawa).

Dentons’ thriving infrastructure practice stepped up a gear during 2024/25, with key roles in a series of major projects. Most notably, it advised the Department of Justice Canada and Transport Canada on the structuring and procurement of the landmark Alto High Speed Rail project, worth an estimated C$60—90bn. Montreal-based national infrastructure and PPP co-chair Ilan Dunsky co-led the Alto matter together with infrastructure partners Charles Bardou (Montreal) and Lampros Stougiannos (Ottawa). Other recommended names include Vancouver-based department co-chair Jana Mansour and talented Ottawa-based associate Aljosa Zenicanin.

Housing a prominent project finance practice, Stikeman Elliott LLP’s PPP and infrastructure group is recognized for its extensive experience in representing lenders and underwriters on infrastructure financings. The team is also gaining traction in procurement and project development work, particularly on behalf of energy clients. The national group is jointly led by Vancouver-based Jamie Templeton, who advises on project finance, construction and investment transactions; and Toronto-based project development and regulatory partner Patrick Duffy. Toronto’s Aaron Fransen is also recommended for project finance.

The four-partner projects practice at Toronto stalwart Aird & Berlis LLP punches above its weight in the infrastructure space. Primarily active on behalf of public sector entities, including key players such as Infrastructure Ontario, the team’s recent experience spans healthcare, wastewater, rail, highways and city revitalization projects. Group chair Douglas Younger advises on the full range of procurement, project finance and construction issues. Also recommended are project finance specialist Heidi Visser and procurement and construction partner Ryan Chalmers.