Clark Wilson's lawyers have extensive experience with major infrastructure projects and public-private partnership arrangements, having represented our clients in numerous PPP ventures. Some of these include:
Evergreen Line – Clark Wilson is counsel to the Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure in connection with this advanced light rail transit project.
Canada Line Rapid Transit Project – Clark Wilson acted as counsel to the Vancouver International Airport Authority in connection with the Canada Line rapid transit project between Vancouver, Richmond and Vancouver International Airport. Clark Wilson has been extensively involved in the development of the corporate structure for this project.
Britannia Mine Water Treatment Plant – Clark Wilson advised the Ministry of Sustainable Resource Management and Partnerships BC with the development of a new acid-water treatment plant at the former Britannia Mine site. The site is one of the worst acid rock drainage pollution sites in North America, and the proximity of the mine site to Vancouver and the urgency of implementing a solution make this a high profile initiative.
University of the Fraser Valley – This is an ongoing project involving the acquisition, by the University of the Fraser Valley, of approximately 84 acres of land from Chilliwack Economic Partners Corporation. Clark Wilson provided initial advice to UFV in consultation with Partnerships BC, and is now representing UFV, in consultation with the Ministry of Advanced Education.
Sea-to-Sky Highway – Clark Wilson was retained as BC counsel to the Ministry of Transportation to assist with the proposed refinancing of Sea to Sky Highway and related issues.
Sports and Events Centres – Clark Wilson has provided advice to two municipalities with respect to issues relating to their procurement of sports and events centres.
Hospital Projects – Clark Wilson was BC counsel to a short-listed proponent, which was invited to submit proposals to design, build, finance and operate three hospital projects in Victoria, Surrey and the Okanagan.
Sports and Medicine Complex – Clark Wilson was retained by the venture which is negotiating a long term lease and related documents for a large scale sports and medicine complex at one of BC's largest universities.
Yukon Cellular Telephone Service Agreement – This is a project involving the procurement and governmental support of a cell service network for 17 communities in Yukon Territory. Clark Wilson represented the Yukon Government, Department of Highways and Public Works.
Yukon Bridge at Dawson City – Clark Wilson advised the Yukon Territory in connection with a proposed concession to design, build, operate and finance an all season bridge over the Yukon River linking Dawson City with the Top of the World Highway.
Restructuring of Maple Ridge Town Centre Development – A private developer constructed a new library, office tower, leisure centre, arts centre and municipal hall in an arrangement that involved a long term lease of the public facilities to the District of Maple Ridge. After the BC Court of Appeal ruled that the lease arrangement was invalid, the District retained Clark Wilson to negotiate and close the District's purchase and refinancing of the entire Town Centre Development, with the approval of the citizens of Maple Ridge.
Restructuring of BC Ferries Services Inc. – BC Ferries Corporation, the crown corporation primarily responsible for coastal ferry service in the province, undertook a complete restructuring in 2003, ultimately selling ferry and related assets and becoming an independent, commercial organization. Clark Wilson acted for BC Ferry Services Inc. in connection with the restructuring, including suggesting alternatives for the restructuring, and handling the transaction itself.
Great Northern Way Educational
Joint Venture – Clark Wilson structured and represented a consortium of the Lower Mainland’s largest post-secondary institutions (UBC, SFU, BCIT and Emily Carr) in the development of the Great Northern Way Educational
Joint Venture. The venture, initiated by Finning International’s gift of property in Vancouver, will ultimately develop a high-tech oriented campus comprising over 3,000,000 sq.ft. as well as public areas and a proposed sky train station.
Athletic Centre Complex – Clark Wilson was retained by Partnerships BC in connection with the structuring of an athletic centre complex involving a joint venture between an institution of higher learning and a municipality.
Discovery Parks Inc. at the
University of Victoria – Clark Wilson assisted the University of Victoria (UVic) in the development of a facility for research activities at the UVic campus. The venture is a joint initiative between UVic and Discovery Foundation, which promotes emerging research and development companies. Clark Wilson’s involvement is primarily in assisting with long-term leasing arrangements.
The New Bridge / Connector Project (YVR) – Clark Wilson represented Vancouver International Airport Authority (YVR) in the Connector Project, completed in fall 2001. The P3 responsible for this development included the Ministry of Transportation and Highways, BC Transportation Financing Authority, City of Richmond and YVR. The connector improves access to the airport, including a new fixed-span westbound bridge over the Middle Arm of the Fraser River connecting Highway 99 and Bridgeport Road to Sea Island and the airport.
Vancouver Island Tech Park – Clark Wilson was retained to advise the University of Victoria with respect to aspects of the structure for Vancouver Island Technology Park.
BC Pavilion Corp. Properties
Leases and Contracts – Clark Wilson handled the negotiation and creation of leases of Crown-owned real estate, including the negotiation and creation of the lease of the Vancouver Trade & Convention Centre between
the Government of Canada (through the Canada Place Corporation) and the Government of British Columbia (through BC Pavilion Corp.). Through representing BC Pavilion Corp., Clark Wilson was primarily responsible for the negotiation and creation of leases of Crown owned real estate, major event contracts for BC Place Stadium and the creation of Trade-Ex, the Abbotsford Trade and Convention Centre.
Maple Ridge Multiple Sheet
Ice Rink Project – Clark Wilson represented the Municipality of Maple Ridge in the development of a Multiple Sheet Ice Rink Project, a venture between the Municipality and a private operator. The three sheet ice
facility was a two phase project developed over the course of four years. Clark Wilson's involvement began with assisting the proposal solicitation process, and carried throughout the development.
Vancouver International Airport Authority, Ground Lease with Transport Canada – Members of Clark Wilson’s legal team were extensively involved in developing and implementing the process by which the Government of Canada managed and negotiated the devolution of the four airports. Clark Wilson played a leadership role in evaluating the various corporate and governance structures into which the airport could be transferred and was responsible for many components of the transaction, including negotiation of the ground lease; financing; transfers of the chattels from the Crown to the Authority; transfer of employees from the Crown to the private sector; and pension matters.
We welcome the opportunity to discuss your involvement in the area of infrastructure and public-private partnerships. Please feel free to contact Brock Johnston or Alex Petrenko, co-chairs of the Infrastructure and Public-Private Partnerships Law Group, or directly contact any other member listed below.
