Canadian law firm, Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP, announced yesterday that Chris Bennett, one of Canada's top project finance lawyers, has joined the firm. Chris will lead the Project Finance Practice in Toronto.

Stephen Clark, chair of Osler's Financial Services Practice, said:

"Chris' experience reflects the exponential growth and importance of infrastructure requirements by all levels of government as they seek out new models of procuring and financing large-scale projects that address needs in social infrastructure, transportation and energy.  Public-private partnership models and project finance methodologies are being adapted for new classes of assets and, with those, new investment opportunities for lenders and project developers are emerging.  Canada has become a leading jurisdiction in terms of both deal flow and successful implementation of these models, and we are very pleased he is contributing his expertise to clients of our top-ranked teams in infrastructure, energy and financial services."

Chris is one of the country's acknowledged leaders in project finance.  He has extensive experience acting for domestic and international lenders, developers, equity sponsors and other participants in connection with complex 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' experience includes a number of innovative project financings and he is known for his ability to guide clients through the complexities of novel projects and contractual arrangements.

Osler, Hoskin & Harcourt LLP is widely recognized as one of Canada's leading law firms serving clients from offices in Toronto, Montréal, Calgary, Ottawa and New York.