Projects & Infrastructure

The Aird & Berlis Infrastructure & Projects Group helps shape and deliver the infrastructure that supports communities and economies across Canada. Recognized as one of the country’s leading project and infrastructure practices, our team provides strategic, practical advice from early planning and procurement through construction, financing, refinancing and divestiture.

Large infrastructure projects are inherently complex and often shaped by policy, political, institutional and commercial considerations. Our lawyers understand the unique challenges that arise in this landscape and are known for delivering innovative, solutions-oriented advice that balances stakeholder interests, allocates risk effectively and supports successful project delivery.

We act for federal, provincial and municipal governments and agencies, as well as design-builders, operations and maintenance providers, equity sponsors, lenders, bond underwriters, institutional investors, subcontractors, construction and management companies and Indigenous equity investors and developers. Having advised both public sector sponsors and a broad range of private sector participants, our team brings a well-rounded perspective to new infrastructure developments and to the refinancing and divestiture of existing infrastructure assets.

Members of our group have extensive experience advising on infrastructure projects and assets in domestic and international transactions, with a particular focus on public-private partnerships. We have advised on all major P3 delivery models, including DBFOM, DBFM, DBF, DBOM, BF, progressive design-build, alliance and integrated project delivery. Our lawyers frequently assist public sector authorities undertaking P3 procurements for the first time and regularly deliver workshops and training on P3 documentation and procurement strategy for government clients and agencies.

Our experience spans a broad spectrum of infrastructure assets, including highways, bridges and road improvements, hospitals, mass transit systems, universities and college buildings and residences, social housing projects, police stations, prisons, courthouses, data centres, sports and entertainment complexes, community recreational facilities, energy projects and water and wastewater treatment facilities. Our Canadian project experience includes mandates across Ontario, British Columbia, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Nova Scotia and Quebec.

Our Infrastructure & Projects Group and its members are consistently recognized for leadership in infrastructure, project finance, construction and public-private partnerships by Chambers Canada, Chambers Global, The Legal 500 Canada, The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and The Best Lawyers in Canada.

We work seamlessly with colleagues across the firm in construction, procurement, project finance, energy, real estate, municipal, tax, environmental, banking, insurance, labour and dispute resolution to deliver integrated, end-to-end advice throughout the project lifecycle. This collaborative approach ensures that clients receive coordinated guidance tailored to the legal, commercial and operational realities of their projects.

Our core services include:

Public-Private Partnerships & Infrastructure Delivery: Advising public and private sector participants on P3 transactions and alternative delivery models, including DBFOM, DBFM, DBOM, DBF, BF, DBB, progressive design-build, alliance and integrated project delivery.
Procurement Strategy & Implementation: Assisting at every stage of procurement, from delivery model selection to drafting and negotiating procurement and project agreements, bidder selection, implementation and dispute resolution.
Project Finance & Capital Markets: Advising lenders, equity sponsors, bond underwriters and institutional investors on project finance, construction lending, capital markets, private placements and private equity transactions, including complex security arrangements.
Project Structuring & Governance: Advising on consortium structures, governance arrangements, teaming agreements and key commercial considerations affecting infrastructure transactions.
Construction & O&M Agreements: Drafting and negotiating construction, operation and maintenance, facilities management and subcontracting arrangements, and advising throughout project execution.
Regulatory, Environmental & Indigenous Matters: Advising on public procurement requirements, environmental approvals, Indigenous issues, sector-specific legislation and regulatory compliance.
Refinancing, Restructuring & Divestitures: Advising on refinancing, secondary market transactions, asset sales and distressed or underperforming infrastructure projects.
Dispute Resolution & Project Claims: Acting for clients in infrastructure and construction disputes, including delay claims, cost overruns and performance issues, through litigation, arbitration and mediation.
Real Estate & Property Matters: Advising on acquisitions, dispositions, leases, easements, licences and expropriations related to infrastructure projects.
Energy & Power Projects: Advising on energy and power infrastructure, including power purchase agreements, capacity agreements and related procurement documentation.

At Aird & Berlis, we work alongside clients undertaking complex infrastructure initiatives to provide practical, solutions-focused advice. Our Infrastructure & Projects Group has advised on numerous projects identified among Canada’s top 100 infrastructure projects, supporting public authorities and private sector partners in managing risk, navigating complexity and delivering long-term value.