Parliament Construction Tour (1)

This tour is now sold out.

Parliament Construction Tour (2)

This tour is now sold out.

WELCOME RECEPTION
Hilton Lac Leamy
Sponsor

Join us for a drink and appetizers!

REGISTRATION & BREAKFAST
Beethoven Foyer
Registration Desk Sponsor

BUS PICKUP FOR THE SUPREME COURT OF CANADA TOUR
Hotel Lobby

SUPREME COURT OF CANADA TOUR

This tour is now sold out.

BUS RETURN TO HILTON LAC LEAMY

CONFERENCE CO-CHAIRS OPENING REMARKS & SECTION CHAIR WELCOME
Beethoven Room

Conference Co-Chairs:
Christopher P. Moran, Maple Reinders (Toronto, ON)
David Bishop Debenham, Low Murchison Radnoff LLP (Ottawa, ON)

Section Chair:
Krista Johanson, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (Vancouver,  BC)

SESSION 1:
Building Legal Foundations: Strategic Counsel Modern Construction
Beethoven Room

In the high-stakes, fast-paced world of construction, collaboration between in-house and external counsel is critical to managing legal risk and driving business success. This panel brings together seasoned in-house counsel from leading construction firms to discuss top legal priorities, including contract negotiation, dispute resolution, regulatory compliance, labor and employment issues, and ESG obligations.

External counsel will gain valuable insight into what in-house teams need most from their legal partners—and what they don’t. The session will explore key questions outside counsel should be asking, such as:

• How do you prefer external counsel to communicate during time-sensitive project issues?
• Where do you see the most value—or waste—in outside legal spend?
• What are your biggest legal pain points during project delivery?
• How can outside counsel better align with your business goals?

Whether you're advising on major infrastructure projects or supporting day-to-day operations, this session will help sharpen your approach and build stronger, more strategic partnerships.

Speakers:
Bruce Karn, EllisDon (Toronto, ON)
Steve Landry, Pomerleau (Ottawa, ON)
Andrew Mackay, Ledcor Group (Vancouver, BC)
Christopher P. Moran, Maple Reinders (Toronto, ON)
Christina O’Donnell, Black & McDonald Limited (Toronto, ON) 
Laura Piercy, Flynn Canada Ltd. (Toronto, ON)

Moderators:
William Woodhead, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (Calgary, AB)

LUNCH / NETWORKING TIME
Beethoven Foyer
Sponsor

Keynote Speaker: The Rule of Law in the Current Political Climate and in the Context of Resolving Construction Disputes
Beethoven Room

Speaker: The Right Honourable Beverley McLachlin, P.C., C.C., CStJ, FCIArb, C.Arb, Arbitration Place (Toronto, ON)

SESSION 2:
Adjudication Review Across Canada: Must-Know Developments
Beethoven Room

Legislated prompt payment and fast-track adjudication continues to be adopted across Canada. Join this interactive session for a complete review of the status of prompt payment and adjudication legislation, recent/upcoming changes to legislation and case law in different provincial jurisdictions, including a review of federal prompt payment legislation that continues to await an in-force date.

Speakers:
Ted J. Dreyer, Bennett Grant LLP (Kitchener, ON)
Pierre D. Grenier, Dentons Canada (Montréal, QC)
J. Barrie Marshall, J. Barrie Marshall Consulting Inc. (Calgary, AB)

Moderator:
Ivan Merrow, McCarthy Tétrault LLP (Toronto, ON)

BREAK
Beethoven Foyer
Sponsor

SESSION 3:
Material Price Volatility & Tariffs in Construction: Legal Risks, Remedies, and Contract Strategies
Beethoven Room

With soaring material costs and shifting tariffs placing pressure on construction projects, legal professionals are on the front lines of navigating the fallout. This seminar is designed specifically for construction lawyers to explore how price fluctuations and international trade policies are impacting contracts, claims, and project delivery. Learn how to draft more resilient agreements, manage risk through escalation clauses, and respond to supply chain disruptions within a legal framework. Gain critical insights into recent case law, regulatory developments, and best practices to advise clients and protect projects in today’s unpredictable market.

Speakers:
Catherine DiMarco, Pallett Valo LLP (Mississauga, ON)
Noëmie Frappier, Lavery (Montréal, QC)
Courtney Kachur, Rose LLP (Calgary, AB)

Moderator:
Andrea Gorys, Cassels (Toronto, ON)

CLOSING REMARKS
Beethoven Room

Conference Co-Chairs:
Christopher P. Moran, Maple Reinders (Toronto, ON)
David Bishop Debenham, Low Murchison Radnoff LLP (Ottawa, ON)

DINNER & AWARD OF EXCELLENCE PRESENTATION
Trillium Ballroom - Rogers Centre
Sponsor

Recipient: Glenn Ackerley, WeirFoulds LLP (Toronto, ON)

Shuttle for dinner will depart from front entrance of the Hotel beginning at 5:30 pm.

The dinner is now sold out.

BREAKFAST
Beethoven Foyer

SESSION 4: 
Cross-Canada Checkup
Beethoven Room

Join us for a review of key cases, legislative updates, and projects of note across Canada over the past two years. Presented by the regional Branch Chairs, the Cross-Canada Year in Review is a popular feature at the bi-annual CBA Construction Law conference.

Speakers:
BC: Seema Lal, Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP (Vancouver, BC)
AB North: Allan Delgado, Alberta Justice (Edmonton, AB)
AB South: Chris Petrucci, Bennett Jones LLP (Calgary, AB)
SK: Scott A.R. Masson, MLT Aikins LLP (Saskatoon, SK)
MB: Michael J. Weinstein, MLT Aikins LLP (Winnipeg, MB)
ON: Annik Forristal, McMillan LLP (Toronto, ON)
QC: Gabriel Lefebvre, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (Montréal, QC)
NB: Conor O'Neil, Stewart McKelvey (Saint John, NB)
NS: John Boyle, Cox & Palmer (Halifax, NS)          
NL: Thomas Munn, Cox & Palmer (St. John's, NL)

Moderator:
Krista Johanson, Borden Ladner Gervais LLP (Vancouver,  BC)

BREAK
Beethoven Foyer
Sponsor

SESSION 5:
Building Canada – The Future of Canadian Construction & Infrastructure Landscape
Beethoven Room

Discussion of policy considerations and other key developments for building the Canada of the future, including:  

i.    Residential (affordability crisis)
ii.    Transit projects (ex. high-speed rail)
iii.    Energy projects (nuclear and pipelines) 
iv.    Mining projects (critical minerals) 
v.    Military projects (ex. Artic defence)

Panel will touch upon a wide variety of issues, including commercial, Indigenous, environmental, amongst others.

Speakers:
Janis Byrne, Cox & Palmer (St. John's, NL)
Louis-Philippe Champagne, Canadian Construction Association (Toronto, ON)
Thomas Isaac, Cassels (Vancouver, BC)
Richard Mahoney, McMillan Vantage Policy Group (Ottawa, ON)

Moderator:
Edward Lynde, Fasken (Toronto, ON)

LUNCH / NETWORKING TIME
Building a Career in Construction Law
Beethoven Room

Key players in the construction industry will discuss their experiences establishing a career in construction law and provide practical advice for young lawyers.

i.    Your path into Construction Law
ii.    Pitfalls and Issues in Construction Law
iii.    The Future of Construction Law

SESSION 6:
Subcontractor Passthrough Claims After Walsh
Beethoven Room

This panel will examine the landscape of subcontractor pass-through claims in light of the Ontario Superior Court’s decision in Walsh Construction v. Toronto Transit Commission et al, 2024 ONSC 2782. Panelists will explore the legal framework governing pass-through claims, the implications of Walsh for owners, contractors, and subcontractors, and practical considerations for structuring contracts and litigating claims on complex construction projects.

Speakers:
Gabriel Duchesne, VINCI Construction Canada (Brossard, QC)
Seema Lal, Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP (Vancouver, BC)
Jacob Lokash, Margie Strub Construction Law LLP (Toronto, ON)
Catriona Otto-Johnston, Rose LLP (Calgary, AB)

Moderator:
Joshua Strub, Margie Strub Construction Law LLP (Toronto, ON)

CLOSING REMARKS
Beethoven Room

Conference Co-Chairs:
Christopher P. Moran, Maple Reinders (Toronto, ON)
David Bishop Debenham, Low Murchison Radnoff LLP (Ottawa, ON)
 

CLOSING RECEPTION
Beethoven Foyer