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Power and Utilities

Our lawyers understand the complexities of the regulatory frameworks and policy issues facing power generators using every fuel source.

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Global energy demand, particularly for low or zero-emitting electricity resources, is on the rise, whereas Canadian energy markets face only moderate or gradual economic growth. While this creates opportunities to supply North American markets, it comes with the need to provide cleaner energy through more nuclear and renewable power and more natural gas.

This shifting demand poses several challenges for industry participants to innovate, update infrastructure and meet greenhouse gas (GHG) emission targets.

Electricity markets in Canada are now facing an accelerating pace of change. Traditional business models are evolving, and innovation is driving the transformation and digitization of the industry. Technology, such as AI and application of blockchain infrastructure, is enabling distribution grid operators to actively manage embedded resources and to respond to outages and changes in demand more quickly. Operators’ efforts are focused on more effective energy storage and demand response opportunities and challenges, as well as seamlessly connecting existing systems with new power sources. The competitive landscape is also seeing the expansion of distributed energy resources.

How we can help

Osler’s top-tier team of power and utilities legal professionals — our Power Group is ranked Band 1 in Chambers Canada, one of the world’s leading legal directories — have represented Canadian, U.S. and international clients on many of the highest profile transactions and projects in the electricity sector. Our unparalleled transactional and commercial experience ensures our legal advisors have a cutting edge understanding of the relevant issues and the latest developments. Osler also has a dominant litigation and dispute resolution presence in the industry, acting for large utilities across the country in such areas as employment matters and class actions.

At Osler, our lawyers understand the complexities of the regulatory frameworks and policy issues facing power generators using every fuel source, including natural gas, wind, hydro, biomass, biogas, geothermal, solar, nuclear, oil and coal. Our team advises on the procurement, financing, construction and development of major power projects, including generation, transmission and distribution, as well as high-profile transactions and regulatory matters, for both the public and private sectors and domestic and international clients.

Key Contacts

Paula Olexiuk

Partner, Energy and Construction, Calgary

Jacob A. Sadikman

Partner, Commercial, Toronto

Richard Wong

Partner, Commercial, Toronto, Montréal

View all team members

Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Energy: Power (Band 1); Energy: Provincial Regulatory – Alberta (Band 1); Energy: Provincial Regulatory – Ontario
  • Chambers Canada Awards 2020: Named “Projects & Energy Law Firm of the Year”
  • Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Energy: Power (Band 1)
  • The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Recognized in Energy: Electricity (Calgary, Alberta; Toronto, Ontario)
  • The Legal 500: Recognized in Energy: Power (Tier 1)

In the Media

  • Osler News Apr 3, 2024

    Osler partners Janice Buckingham and Andrea Whyte appointed as King’s Counsel

    Calgary-based partners Janice Buckingham, the former co-lead of the Energy Practice and Andrea Whyte, of the Corporate Group, have been appointed as...

    Read more
  • Osler News Oct 26, 2022

    Sander Duncanson named Regulatory, Environmental, Indigenous and Land Co-Chair

    Osler announces that Sander Duncanson is the new Co-Chair of the firm’s Regulatory, Environmental, Indigenous and Land practice.

    Read more
  • Osler News Aug 3, 2022

    Maureen Killoran, QC, and Laura Fric recognized in Benchmark’s ‘Top 100 Women in Canada’ 2022

    Congratulations to Osler National Co-Chair Maureen Killoran, QC, and partner Laura Fric on being named one ofamong Benchmark’s “Top 100 Women in...

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  • Osler News Jun 15, 2022

    25 Osler lawyers recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2022

    Congratulations to 25 of our lawyers for their inclusion in the Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2022.

    Read more
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