Infrastructure

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From roads, railways and airports, to public transit and utilities, to hospitals and safe drinking water, the infrastructure sector plays a critical role in the functioning of Canadian society and is vital to the broader economic health of the country.

Public and private infrastructure projects, including those structured through public-private partnerships (P3) and alternative financing and procurement (AFP), are key drivers in the continued growth of the nation’s economy, in good times and in bad. This was particularly evident during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic when government investment in shovel-ready infrastructure projects grew in response to the need for economic stimulus. 

With the Investing in Canada Plan committing $180 billion over 12 years, this trend is set to continue, especially as the need for new and replacement infrastructure – municipally, provincially and nationally – intensifies. For public and private entities, these projects are often complex, with a lengthy lifecycle and the potential for myriad setbacks and hurdles to overcome. In addition to dealing with project development and financing, addressing issues related to often-ambiguous regulatory regimes, developing innovative approaches to procurement and mitigating the risk of litigation, participants in the infrastructure sector must also consider the impact of the increase in urbanization and technological advancement. As in many other industries, the environment is taking centre stage as sustainable and climate resilient infrastructure becomes a priority – adding another layer of complexity.

Work highlight

Canada Infrastructure Bank in its $407.5 million loan to create additional irrigable acres in Alberta

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How we can help

At Osler, our Infrastructure Group is comprised of a team of practitioners with a broad range of specializations, including a number of professional engineers. We have guided clients – including private companies, government and other public organizations, and funders – through every stage of the lifecycle of infrastructure projects of all sizes, both domestic and international. You can rely on our highly-skilled, multi-disciplinary team to help you successfully navigate all aspects of the process, from the initial RFP, to financing arrangements, to assessments and permits, through to project completion. And if your project runs into problems, our dispute resolution experts can help get you back on track – because we know how important it is for your project to be completed on budget, and on time. Clients can access our sophisticated group of infrastructure litigators who work as a cohesive unit alongside our front-end construction and infrastructure teams on project finance, public-private partnerships (P3) developments and more, which provides a unique level of insight and into the dispute resolution process.

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  • Chambers Canada: Canada's Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Projects: PPP & Infrastructure (Band 1)

    • Sources say that "Osler's lawyers are highly skilled, very responsive and generally great folks to work with."

    • Others sources appreciate the groups "good understanding of their clients' unique concerns and issues."

  • Lexpert: The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Recognized in Project Finance (Toronto, Ontario; Calgary, Alberta)

  • Legal 500: Osler recognized in Infrastructure and Projects

  • IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms: Recognized in Project Finance (Tier 1); Project Development: Infrastructure