Infrastructure

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From roads, railways and airports to public transit, utilities, 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 (P3s) 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 COVID-19 pandemic when government investment in shovel-ready infrastructure projects grew in response to the need for economic stimulus.

This trend is set to continue, especially as the need for new and replacement infrastructure — municipally, provincially and nationally — intensifies. These projects are often complex, with lengthy lifecycles and the potential for myriad setbacks. 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 impacts of 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 comprises a team of practitioners with a broad range of specializations, including several professional engineers. We have guided domestic and international clients — including private companies, funders, governments and other public organizations — through every stage of the lifecycle of infrastructure projects of all sizes. You can rely on our highly skilled, multi-disciplinary team to help you navigate all aspects of the process, from the initial RFP to financing arrangements, assessments and permits, and project completion.  

We know how important it is for your project to be completed on budget and on time. If your project runs into problems, our dispute resolution experts can help get you back on track. Our sophisticated group of infrastructure litigators work as a cohesive unit alongside our front-end construction and infrastructure teams on project finance, public-private partnerships (P3) developments and more, providing a unique level of insight 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