Borden Ladner Gervais LLP 's full-service power practice deploys experts across the full scope of transactional, regulatory and contentious work. Among the names to note, Toronto-based commercial specialist and national group head Shane Freitag possesses an impressive record in advising major utilities in both Ontario and Alberta, with his broad skill set spanning both regulatory and transactional matters. Other key transactional contacts include Toronto’s Rob Blackstein, who recently acted for SNC-Lavalin on its agreement with Ontario Power Generation to develop the Darlington New Nuclear Project. The group also draws on the senior experience of Toronto-based Mark Rodger, who specializes in commercial, regulatory and government relations-related power issues; and Calgary’s Jonathan Liteplo, who is highly regarded for his focus on energy and utilities regulation.

McCarthy Tétrault maintains a dominant commercial power practice that harnesses the wider firm’s signature corporate strength, which is additionally supported by significant regulatory capability. The team’s industry expertise spans a varied mix of wind, hydro, nuclear, and co-generation power projects, while its broad national footprint ensures that it is routinely involved in matters across the country — it also handles US-related work. Toronto-based Seán O’Neill spearheads the department and has a focus on power transactions; he recently advised Renewable Energy Systems Canada on the sale of the Bekevar Wind Project to Innagreen Canada Holdings C and Innagreen Canada Holdings D. The group additionally draws on high-profile infrastructure and projects expert David Lever and transactional power partner Suzanne Murphy — both of whom are based in Toronto — as well as Calgary-based energy regulation specialist Kimberly Howard. Former energy regulation lead George Vegh retired.

From its bases in Toronto and Calgary, Torys’ highly regarded group is active in power matters across the country. Enviably balanced between transactional and regulatory work, the practice acts for an impressive roster of Canada’s major power entities, including Ontario Power Generation and Hydro One Networks. Department co-head Krista Hill is a pre-eminent specialist in power transactions and projects; she is currently leading the team’s advice to Ontario Power Generation on Canada’s first on-grid small modular reactor at the site of its Darlington New Nuclear Project, and also on the related C$970m funding agreement with Canada Infrastructure Bank. Other key transactional contacts include projects specialist Valerie Helbronner and Huw Evans. On the regulatory front, department co-head Charles Keizer and Calgary-based Lou Cusano are both sought-after sector experts. Named lawyers are based in Toronto unless otherwise stated.

Historically better known for its oil and gas practice, Bennett Jones LLP additionally possesses a prominent power offering, which is particularly active in renewable energy and energy transition-related matters. The Calgary-based group enjoys a strong relationship with local energy heavyweight ATCO, with power and renewables lead David Macaulay recently advising ATCO entity Yukon Electrical Company on multiple matters involving Indigenous renewable project development. Other key contacts include transactional partner Thomas McInerney, who has a focus on power, climate change and emissions trading; and energy regulation head Martin Ignasiak, who recently arrived from Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP. Deirdre Sheehan departed in February 2023.

Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s power practice has a strong orientation towards projects and transactional mandates, including M&A, joint ventures and financings. Toronto-based department co-head Vivian Kung is particularly sought after for her broad industry focus, which spans projects, finance, corporate and procurement-related issues. The group additionally benefits from the transactional experience of Keith Byblow, who heads the corporate and commercial group in Calgary; Scott Clarke, also based in Calgary; Montreal-based project finance specialist Sébastien Vilder; and Calgary-based up-and-coming energy partner Ky Kvisle. The team is also increasingly involved in standalone regulatory matters, with Calgary-based regulatory and environmental law expert Terri-Lee Oleniuk a key contact in this sphere.

Among Gowling WLG’s industry sweet spots, the power group is distinguished by its skill sets in renewable projects, nuclear-related issues and regulatory work. On the renewable energy front, department co-head Thomas Timmins is particularly noted for his projects experience; he is advising Alectra Utilities on the structuring and roll-out of Ontario’s new generation of advanced metering. Fellow co-head Ahab Abdel-Aziz is highly regarded for his global reputation in the nuclear space, where his record spans commercial, regulatory and contentious matters. Energy regulation specialist Ian Mondrow; and nuclear law-focused associate Magdalena Hanebach are also recommended. Named lawyers are based in Toronto.

A go-to power group in Western Canada, Lawson Lundell LLP’s activity also extends into Northern Canada and the Western US. The group’s geographical focus is reflected in a client list that includes major regional utilities (BC Hydro and TransAlta), as well as developers, Crown Corporations and local governments, among others. In Vancouver, regulatory litigation head Jeff Christian is highly regarded for his premier track record in energy regulation; notably, he is the relationship partner for BC Hydro. Additionally, Clara Ferguson, who specializes in public utility regulation and power, and transactional partner Lana Shipley are recommended in Vancouver. In Calgary, senior counsel Lewis Manning and Shailaz Dhalla are noted.

Norton Rose Fulbright’s national power group is marked by its comprehensive geographical and practice coverage, with strong lawyer representation across its six Canadian offices, as well as the ability to work alongside its corporate and finance lawyers to resource major projects and transactional matters. The team’s commercial activity is underpinned by a robust regulatory offering that handles a mix of environmental, Indigenous law and contentious work. Splitting his time between Vancouver and Calgary, department head Matthew Keen specializes in energy regulation and is representing the Alberta Electric System Operator in various proceedings before the Alberta Utilities Commission. Calgary-based David Eeles and Ottawa-based Alison Babbitt are recommended for project-related matters.

Demonstrating increasing activity in the power space, Cassels Brock & Blackwell LLP’s blossoming regulatory credentials were recently evidenced by its work for Ontario Energy Board, Abengoa and Business Renewables Centre Canada, among others. It also handles a growing volume of power-related transactions. Calgary-based department head Jeremy Barretto chairs the national regulatory law group and contributes experience in energy regulation, environmental law and Indigenous law matters. Vancouver-based environmental and Indigenous law specialist Arend Hoekstra and Toronto-based corporate partner Jason Bullen are also noted for power-related matters.

Over recent years, Dentons’ power group has increasingly leveraged the wider firm’s strong oil and gas offering to work at the intersection of energy transition matters. It also continues to maintain a robust standalone power practice, which has experience across all industry segments, including generation, distribution, transmission, and battery energy storage. Department co-head Vivek Bakshi splits his time between Toronto and Calgary and is recommended for power-related transactions, including M&A and project development. Calgary-based energy regulation specialist Bernard Roth and Montreal-based litigator Pierre Grenier are also noted.

Fasken’s power offering forms a key part of its energy and climate practice, which is distinguished by its strong regulatory dimension. The group also stands out for its ability to draw on complementary offerings in Indigenous law — where it is recognized as a market leader — as well as projects and environmental law. Vancouver-based Ron Ezekiel, who handles a mix of power and oil and gas work, co-heads the department alongside Calgary-based transactional partner Brendan Sawatsky. Other key contacts include managing partner and pre-eminent power specialist Peter Feldberg; and Vancouver-based litigator Christopher Bystrom.