Projects: PPP & Infrastructure
Global Guide 2024 : Canada
Band 2
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+1 416 865 0040About
Provided by Torys LLP
With deep cross-border experience and recognized skill across disciplines, we work with clients involved in all aspects of infrastructure, energy and natural resources and these sectors’ respective lifecycles.
We have deep experience in securing major environmental approvals for large, complex projects. We work seamlessly with our clients on bespoke strategies designed to both prioritize efficient application processing by regulatory authorities and minimize long-term litigation risks. We support clients in navigating the matrix of federal, provincial and territorial permitting frameworks, and we defend permits before administrative tribunals and the courts.
Chambers Review
Torys is a top Canadian law firm with an esteemed energy and infrastructure practice offering substantive expertise across a range of transactional power matters and in the power regulatory space. It also acts for an impressive variety of major domestic and international clients on the environmental aspects of a wide range of transactions and projects, including high-profile and multi-jurisdictional mergers, financings and redevelopments. The firm is further well known for its expertise in climate change law and emissions trading. It has significant experience of municipal and provincial project development, with broad industry expertise encompassing water and waste water, fibre optics, transit and renewable energy, among other areas. Its lawyers regularly advise on offshore oil and gas and international and cross-border projects.
Notable Practitioners
Former Justice of the Supreme Court of Canada Frank Iacobucci is an esteemed senior figure in the market. He is based in Toronto and has a wealth of experience advising the government on Indigenous matters, including major energy projects.
"Frank has a lot of respect in the market."
"He is excellent."
Based in the firm's Toronto office, Charles Keizer maintains his reputation as a leading regulatory practitioner in the power space. He regularly represents generators, marketers and distributors before the Ontario Energy Board, with further recognition for his counsel on project development and financing matters.
"Charles is knowledgeable, solutions-oriented, and knows the sector and his clients. You can always count on Charles to deliver value."
"Charles has unmatched knowledge of the Ontario regulatory environment and is a pleasure to work with."
Based in Calgary, Chris Christopher is noted for his activity in project development and M&A arising from the oil and gas space. His expertise includes acting on both domestic and offshore energy projects, with additional experience in related transportation and construction matters.
"We receive excellent work on detailed commercial issues, and he's responsive and quick."
Dennis Mahony is an esteemed lawyer who handles the full spectrum of issues in the environmental space, including environmental approvals for major energy projects. He is based in Toronto.
"Dennis Mahony is responsive, strategic and practical."
"Dennis is a strategic mastermind, always a step ahead of his opponents - the Connor McDavid of the legal world."
"Dennis is top flight in terms of his strategic look at the bigger picture and mapping out of strategy."
Toronto-based Krista Hill co-chairs the firm's infrastructure and energy group. She commands an impressive reputation in the space and is lauded for her representation of significant energy clients across a wide range of transactional mandates, including M&A and project development.
"Krista is phenomenal, she goes above and beyond and really knows our business."
"Krista is a superwoman, her knowledge is simply unparalleled."
Based in Toronto, Mark Bain has a wealth of experience in the representation of public authority interests, and is frequently sought after for assistance in the development of power, road and rail projects.
"He's an experienced and strong lawyer."
"Mark's experience and approach was critical to the project's successful completion."
"Mark approaches all problems in a professional manner, is personable, and provides expert guidance. There is no doubt that we are receiving the crème de la crème of legal guidance when speaking with him."
Managing partner of the firm's Calgary office Luigi Cusano represents an impressive range of power companies and utilities before the Alberta Utilities Commission.
"Luigi is a savvy and experienced operator who understands the regulatory field very well."
Toronto-based Michael Fortier is well versed in environmental issues relating to major energy and mining projects, with additional experience with regard to transactional matters.
"Michael is attentive, strong and experienced."
Scott Kraag acts predominantly across the energy, PPP and mining spaces, in the provision of project finance counsel out of the firm's Toronto office.
"Scott has very strong commercial acumen."
Tyson Dyck acts out of the firm's Toronto office and has a strong reputation for his work in the energy and mining industries. He possesses further expertise encompassing carbon finance and climate-related matters.
"Tyson Dyck is very responsive, technically smart and practical."
"Tyson makes things business-ready."
"Tyson's ability to meet challenging timelines and be the respected voice in the room during high-pressure situations always inspires confidence for his clients."
Toronto-based Valerie Helbronner attracts plaudits for her skilled handling of energy project financing matters on behalf of power project developers, and she is further noted for her experience in relation to Aboriginal law and the renewables space.
"Valerie has experience of guiding teams through complex issues."
"She's a great lawyer."
David Cuschieri is called upon to utilise his corporate and commercial transactional experience on infrastructure projects in the oil and gas industry. He is based in Calgary.
"David is one of the most knowledgeable and sharp attorneys we know and incredibly helpful on acquisitions."
Toronto-based Milosz Zemanek focuses on project financing in energy and infrastructure. He serves as the head of Torys' energy storage practice.
Jonathan Myers frequently advises on the regulatory aspects of large transactions in the power space, including assisting with applications to the Ontario Energy Board.
"Jonathan provides exceptional advice and always ensures every angle is covered. He always stays on top of things and is an excellent communicator."
Josh Van Deurzen is often instructed by project proponents, lenders and public authorities engaged in PPP transactions, further assisting with mandates across the wider infrastructure space out of the firm's Toronto office.
"Josh is an excellent lawyer. He adeptly supported us in drafting agreements and effectively defended our interests when leading negotiations."
"Josh was very detail-oriented."
Peter Danner's oil and gas practice sees him handle an array of transactions in Western Canada. He has a particular focus in the midstream space.
"Peter is an invaluable resource to us."
"He's extremely diligent, detail-oriented and responsive."
Tara Mackay is noted for her expertise in sophisticated infrastructure projects, including public-private partnerships. She splits her time between the firm's New York and Toronto offices.
"She's also exceptionally detail-oriented and thorough, and has a good way of explaining things to people with opposing views."