Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP

Enviably well-distributed across Canada, Blake, Cassels & Graydon LLP’s national projects group leverages its broad regional platform to excel in major developments across all key jurisdictions and sectors. Acting for both public- and private-sector participants, the team’s experience spans the full project life cycle from procurement, concession agreements and construction contracts through to project finance, secondary market transactions and disputes. In Toronto, department co-head Marianne Smith is highly regarded for her record in procuring major infrastructure development projects; she recently advised the City of Calgary on the C$5.5bn development of a light rail transit line — a project that was ultimately stalled. The Toronto team further includes Mark Johnson, who also operates from Ottawa and specializes in power, infrastructure and public-private partnership (PPP) projects; and Alyssa Shivji, who led a slew of transport projects during 2024/25. From Montreal, Claudie Imbleau-Chagnon co-heads the national practice and advises government entities, contractors, sponsors and lenders on project development transactions. Alain Massicotte leads the infrastructure and PPP area in Montreal and is also recommended. Rounding out the senior names is Vancouver managing partner Jeffrey Merrick, who brings deep expertise in pioneering infrastructure projects. In October 2024, Catherine Doyle left the firm.