Chris Bennett is Chair of the National Banking and Financial Services practice group at Osler. He also leads the firm’s Project Finance team in Toronto. Chris’ practice focuses on financial services with an emphasis on public-private partnerships, project finance, infrastructure and structured finance.
Chris has extensive experience acting for domestic and international lenders, developers, equity sponsors and other participants in connection with complex P3 and infrastructure transactions and project financings across Canada.
He has led major transactions in a variety of industry sectors and asset classes, including social infrastructure, transportation, electricity and renewable energy. Chris has closed more than 50 P3 projects over his career, and his experience includes a number of innovative, first-of-type public-private partnerships, including the first major healthcare P3 transaction in Canada to reach financial close, the first Canadian domestic monoline wrapped bank financing and the first combined bank-bond transportation project. He has represented all major categories of project finance lenders in the Canadian market, including domestic and foreign banks, private placement investors and bond underwriters. Chris is the only Canadian lawyer to be named as “Star Individual” for Project: PPP and Infrastructure by Chambers Canada.
Chris has spoken and written extensively on matters relating to project finance and public-private partnerships. Chris has been an Adjunct Professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law since 2007 where he teaches on the law and policy of public-private partnerships and risk transference between the public and private sectors.
Representative Work
- iCON Infrastructure
iCON Infrastructure in its investment in QSL
- The Agents
The Agents in CGI Inc.’s Canadian and U.S. offerings of Notes
- EllisDon Capital Inc.
EllisDon Capital in its bid on the Burnaby Hospital Redevelopment Project
- Fengate Capital Management
Fengate Capital in its preferred share investment in eStruxture
- Canada Infrastructure Bank
Canada Infrastructure Bank in its $407.5 million loan to create additional irrigable acres in Alberta
- EllisDon Capital Inc. and Coco Paving Inc.
EllisDon Capital Inc. and Coco Paving Inc. in their successful bid on the $314 million QEW Credit River Bridge Project
- The lenders
The lenders in Ontario Power Generation’s US$750 million revolving credit facility
- A Syndicate of International Banks
A syndicate of international banks in the $2.8 billion Millennium Broadway Extension
- EllisDon Capital Inc. and EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare
EllisDon Capital Inc. in its $260 million DBFM contract
- Mobilinx Hurontario General Partnership
Mobilinx Hurontario General Partnership as a successful proponent for the $4.6 billion Hurontario LRT project
- A syndicate of lenders
A syndicate of lenders in connection with the $1.9 billion Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project
- Meridiam Infrastructure North America Corporation
Meridiam SAS in its acquisition of a 50% stake in Northeast Anthony Henday Highway Concession from ACS and Hochtief Solutions
- CIBC
CIBC as lender in Arjun Infrastructure Partners’ acquisition of ONroute Service Centres
- Mountain View Partners
Acted for the preferred proponent for the $1.42 billion South West Calgary Ring Road P3 project
- Bank of Montreal and the Toronto Dominion Bank
Bank of Montreal and the Toronto Dominion Bank (the senior lenders on the project) in the financing of the Moncton Event Centre
- The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Alberta Treasury Branches and Business Development Canada
The senior lenders in the financing of the City of Calgary Composting Facility P3 Project
- The Senior Creditors to Connect 6ix General Partnership in connection with the $9 Billion Ontario Line Rolling Stock, Systems, Operations and Maintenance Project procured by Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx. The Senior Creditor Group represented by Osler included: (i) TD Securities Inc. and National Bank Financial Inc., in connection with an underwritten private placement of senior bonds issued by Connect 6ix; (ii) ATB Financial Inc., DZ Bank AG, Korea Development Bank, National Bank of Canada, The Norinchukin Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in connection with a revolving credit facility and associated hedging arrangements and (iii) Japan Bank for International Cooperation in connection with a term loan facility
- The Agents in CGI Inc.’s Canadian and U.S. offerings of Notes
- EllisDon Capital in its bid on the Burnaby Hospital Redevelopment Project
- Counsel to the lenders in Ontario Power Generation’s US$750 million revolving credit facility
- Counsel to the successful proponents, EllisDon Capital Inc. and Coco Paving Inc. in their bid on the $314 million QEW Credit River Bridge Project
- A syndicate of international banks in the $2.8 billion Millennium Broadway Extension
- Counsel to the underwriters and bank lender in connection with a hybrid bank/bond financing of the John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project
- Counsel to the underwriters in connection with a bond issuance to finance the design, build and operation of the north east segment of the Anthony Henday Drive ring road in Edmonton, Alberta
- Counsel to the lenders in Arjun Infrastructure Partners’ acquisition of ONroute Service Centres
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with the design, build, finance and maintaining of a new hospital facility in Oakville, Ontario
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with an approximately $328-million project involving a new consolidated courthouse facility in St. Thomas, Ontario
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with a $830.5-million project to design, build, finance and maintain two new mental healthcare facilities in London and St. Thomas, Ontario
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with a $474-million project to design, build, finance and maintain a new, state-of-the-art forensic mental health facility in Penetanguishene, Ontario
- Counsel to the lenders in connection with the second Alberta Schools Project to design, build, finance and maintain 10 new schools in the Edmonton and Calgary regions
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with an approximately $379-million project involving a new consolidated courthouse facility in Kitchener, Ontario
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with an approximately $593-million project involving Toronto South Detention Centre, a new detention centre facility in Toronto, Ontario
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with a $685-million project involving a new hospital in Woodstock, Ontario
- $435-million project involving a new parkade and University of British Columbia facility, a new ambulatory and emergency facility in Kelowna and a new diagnostic and treatment building in Vernon
- Counsel to the bank lenders in connection with a $1.42-billion project involving the northwest leg of the Anthony Henday Drive ring road in Edmonton, Alberta
- Counsel to the lenders in connection with a $408-million project involving a new hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- Counsel to the lenders in connection with a $650-million project involving the northeast leg of the Stoney Trail ring road in Calgary, Alberta
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with a $259.2-million project involving redevelopment and new construction of the Henderson General Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with a $214-million expansion and redevelopment of The Bluewater Health facility, hospital in Sarnia, Ontario
- Counsel to the lenders in connection with a $93-million project involving the Greater Toronto Area Youth Centre, a medium security facility for young offenders in Brampton, Ontario
- Counsel to the lenders’ consortium in connection with its response to the Ontario government’s RFP for the building, financing and delivery of certain services at the new North Bay Regional Health Centre
- Counsel to lenders’ private sector consortium in connection with its response to the Ontario Infrastructure Projects Corporation request for proposals for the design, build, finance and operation of the Durham Consolidated Courthouse in Oshawa, Ontario
- Counsel to the arranger and lending syndicate in connection with the William Osler Health Centre, the first major healthcare P3 transaction in Canada to reach financial close
iCON Infrastructure in its investment in QSL
The Agents in CGI Inc.’s Canadian and U.S. offerings of Notes
EllisDon Capital in its bid on the Burnaby Hospital Redevelopment Project
Fengate Capital in its preferred share investment in eStruxture
Canada Infrastructure Bank in its $407.5 million loan to create additional irrigable acres in Alberta
- EllisDon Capital Inc. and Coco Paving Inc.
EllisDon Capital Inc. and Coco Paving Inc. in their successful bid on the $314 million QEW Credit River Bridge Project
- The lenders
The lenders in Ontario Power Generation’s US$750 million revolving credit facility
- A Syndicate of International Banks
A syndicate of international banks in the $2.8 billion Millennium Broadway Extension
- EllisDon Capital Inc. and EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare
EllisDon Capital Inc. in its $260 million DBFM contract
- Mobilinx Hurontario General Partnership
Mobilinx Hurontario General Partnership as a successful proponent for the $4.6 billion Hurontario LRT project
- A syndicate of lenders
A syndicate of lenders in connection with the $1.9 billion Wataynikaneyap Power Transmission Project
- Meridiam Infrastructure North America Corporation
Meridiam SAS in its acquisition of a 50% stake in Northeast Anthony Henday Highway Concession from ACS and Hochtief Solutions
- CIBC
CIBC as lender in Arjun Infrastructure Partners’ acquisition of ONroute Service Centres
- Mountain View Partners
Acted for the preferred proponent for the $1.42 billion South West Calgary Ring Road P3 project
- Bank of Montreal and the Toronto Dominion Bank
Bank of Montreal and the Toronto Dominion Bank (the senior lenders on the project) in the financing of the Moncton Event Centre
- The Toronto-Dominion Bank, Alberta Treasury Branches and Business Development Canada
The senior lenders in the financing of the City of Calgary Composting Facility P3 Project
- The Senior Creditors to Connect 6ix General Partnership in connection with the $9 Billion Ontario Line Rolling Stock, Systems, Operations and Maintenance Project procured by Infrastructure Ontario and Metrolinx. The Senior Creditor Group represented by Osler included: (i) TD Securities Inc. and National Bank Financial Inc., in connection with an underwritten private placement of senior bonds issued by Connect 6ix; (ii) ATB Financial Inc., DZ Bank AG, Korea Development Bank, National Bank of Canada, The Norinchukin Bank and Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation in connection with a revolving credit facility and associated hedging arrangements and (iii) Japan Bank for International Cooperation in connection with a term loan facility
- The Agents in CGI Inc.’s Canadian and U.S. offerings of Notes
- EllisDon Capital in its bid on the Burnaby Hospital Redevelopment Project
- Counsel to the lenders in Ontario Power Generation’s US$750 million revolving credit facility
- Counsel to the successful proponents, EllisDon Capital Inc. and Coco Paving Inc. in their bid on the $314 million QEW Credit River Bridge Project
- A syndicate of international banks in the $2.8 billion Millennium Broadway Extension
- Counsel to the underwriters and bank lender in connection with a hybrid bank/bond financing of the John Hart Generating Station Replacement Project
- Counsel to the underwriters in connection with a bond issuance to finance the design, build and operation of the north east segment of the Anthony Henday Drive ring road in Edmonton, Alberta
- Counsel to the lenders in Arjun Infrastructure Partners’ acquisition of ONroute Service Centres
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with the design, build, finance and maintaining of a new hospital facility in Oakville, Ontario
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with an approximately $328-million project involving a new consolidated courthouse facility in St. Thomas, Ontario
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with a $830.5-million project to design, build, finance and maintain two new mental healthcare facilities in London and St. Thomas, Ontario
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with a $474-million project to design, build, finance and maintain a new, state-of-the-art forensic mental health facility in Penetanguishene, Ontario
- Counsel to the lenders in connection with the second Alberta Schools Project to design, build, finance and maintain 10 new schools in the Edmonton and Calgary regions
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with an approximately $379-million project involving a new consolidated courthouse facility in Kitchener, Ontario
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with an approximately $593-million project involving Toronto South Detention Centre, a new detention centre facility in Toronto, Ontario
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with a $685-million project involving a new hospital in Woodstock, Ontario
- $435-million project involving a new parkade and University of British Columbia facility, a new ambulatory and emergency facility in Kelowna and a new diagnostic and treatment building in Vernon
- Counsel to the bank lenders in connection with a $1.42-billion project involving the northwest leg of the Anthony Henday Drive ring road in Edmonton, Alberta
- Counsel to the lenders in connection with a $408-million project involving a new hospital in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario
- Counsel to the lenders in connection with a $650-million project involving the northeast leg of the Stoney Trail ring road in Calgary, Alberta
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with a $259.2-million project involving redevelopment and new construction of the Henderson General Hospital in Hamilton, Ontario
- Counsel to the equity sponsors in connection with a $214-million expansion and redevelopment of The Bluewater Health facility, hospital in Sarnia, Ontario
- Counsel to the lenders in connection with a $93-million project involving the Greater Toronto Area Youth Centre, a medium security facility for young offenders in Brampton, Ontario
- Counsel to the lenders’ consortium in connection with its response to the Ontario government’s RFP for the building, financing and delivery of certain services at the new North Bay Regional Health Centre
- Counsel to lenders’ private sector consortium in connection with its response to the Ontario Infrastructure Projects Corporation request for proposals for the design, build, finance and operation of the Durham Consolidated Courthouse in Oshawa, Ontario
- Counsel to the arranger and lending syndicate in connection with the William Osler Health Centre, the first major healthcare P3 transaction in Canada to reach financial close
Latest Insights
-
Webinar Sep 23, 2020
Will Infrastructure Spending be part of Canada’s Economic Recovery Plan?
Join us for an insightful presentation featuring Osler special advisor, Mr. Stephen Poloz, the former Governor of the Bank of Canada.
Read more
Awards and Recognition
-
Chambers Canada: Canada’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Project Finance (Band 1) and Projects: PPP & Infrastructure (Star Individual); Projects & Energy Lawyer of the Year 2021
-
Chambers Global: The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business: Recognized in Project Finance (Band 1) and in Projects: PPP & Infrastructure (Star Individual)
- “[Chris is] one of the most talented lawyers in the market, if not the most talented project finance and infrastructure lawyer in Canada.”
- “He’s among the best in the space in terms of finance. He’s very articulate and knowledgeable about the documents. He’s a very good advocate for his clients.”
-
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory: Recognized in Project Finance; Infrastructure Law; Toronto’s leading infrastructure lawyers in 2021; Toronto’s top infrastructure lawyers in 2021; Banking & Financial Institutions; Corporate Commercial Law
-
The Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada: Recognized in Banking; Project Finance
-
Best Lawyers in Canada: Recognized in Banking and Finance Law; Construction Law; Project Finance Law; “Lawyer of the Year”, Project Finance Law (2021); “Lawyer of the Year”, Project Finance Law (2023)
-
The Legal 500: Recognized in Leading Lawyer in the area of Banking & Finance, Infrastructure & Projects
-
IFLR 1000: The Guide to the World’s Leading Financial Law Firms: Recognized in Project Finance (Highly Regarded)
-
Who’s Who Legal: Recognized in Canada – Government Contracts; Project Finance; International – Government Contracts; Project Finance; Canada – Banking
-
Thomson Reuters: “Stand-out Lawyer”
Media Mentions
-
Osler News Feb 16, 2024
Osler recognized as a leading firm in Chambers Global 2024 Guide
Osler recognized as a leading firm in Chambers Global 2024 Guide
Read more -
Osler News Jan 9, 2024
34 Osler lawyers recognized in 2024 Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada
Osler is pleased to announce that 34 of our lawyers have been recognized in the 2024 edition of the Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500...
Read more -
Osler News Jun 6, 2023
16 Osler lawyers recognized in Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2023
Congratulations to 16 of our lawyers for their inclusion in the Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2023.
Read more -
Osler News Apr 19, 2023
42 Osler lawyers recognized by Lexpert as leaders in Finance and M&A
Osler is proud to announce 42 of our lawyers have been recognized as leaders in the Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A 2023.
Read more
Speaking and Writing
Speaking Engagements
Will Infrastructure Spending be part of Canada’s Economic Recovery Plan?
Read morePublished Work
- Member of the adjunct faculty at the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Law, co-teaching a course on the law and policy of public-private partnerships in Canada.
Credentials
Education
- University of Toronto, LL.B.
- Queen’s University, B.A. (Hons.)
Languages
- English
Professional Affiliations
- Canadian Bar Association
- Ontario Bar Association
- Canadian Infrastructure Law Forum, 2016 Steering Committee
