Ahsan Mirza Photo
Ahsan Mirza Photo
Ahsan Mirza Photo

Ahsan Mirza is a financial services and banking lawyer with particular expertise in project finance. His practice focuses on public-private partnerships (P3), public infrastructure, and secured and syndicated lending projects. He is recognized as a rising star in banking and project finance by the IFLR1000 Financial and Corporate Guide (2020) and as a leading lawyer in project finance by Chambers Canada (2021).

With extensive experience in project development and financing in the construction and energy sectors, Ahsan advises borrowers and lenders, as well as bond issuers, bond underwriters and private placement investors on a variety of domestic, cross-border and international financing transactions.

Ahsan has played a leading role in several high-profile Canadian project finance and infrastructure transactions. In addition to his in-depth knowledge of the Ontario, Alberta and B.C. public-private partnerships models, he has gained valuable experience advising on major infrastructure projects procured by the federal government, and municipal P3 projects in Toronto, Peel Region, Ottawa, Halifax, Edmonton, Victoria (Capital Regional District), Saskatoon, Calgary and Moncton. He also played a leading role in one of the largest P3 projects launched by the Government of Canada and the first P3 project undertaken by the Government of the Northwest Territories.

In addition to public infrastructure, Ahsan assists developers with creative structuring and financing solutions for private project finance transactions and renewable energy projects in Ontario and British Columbia.



Representative Matters

  • Counsel to VanCity Community Investment Bank on its $32.5 million refinancing of Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation (SNGRDC) interest in the 230 MW Niagara Region Wind Farm
  • Burnaby Hospital Redevelopment Project – Counsel to the Lenders to EllisDon Infrastructure in the design and build of the $1.4 billion phase 1 redevelopment of the hospital
  • Alberta High Schools Project – Counsel to Concert-Bird Partners in the $300 million project to design, build, finance, and maintain for five Alberta high schools
  • Orleans Health Hub Project – counsel to the project finance lenders, Bank of Montreal & BMO Capital Markets, in connection with the $59.7 million build-finance project
  • Ottawa LRT Stage 2 (Trillium Line South Extension) Project – Counsel to the lenders to SNC-Lavalin Capital Inc., The Toronto-Dominion Bank and The National Bank of Canada, in the $1.6 billion project to design and build approximately 44 kilometres of new rail and 24 new stations to extend the O-Train network in Ottawa
  • Acted as legal counsel to Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) in its $100 million financing of La SOFIAC (Société de financement et d’accompagnement en performance énergétique) for energy efficiency retrofit projects in commercial, industrial and multi-residential buildings in Québec.
  • Acted as legal counsel to VanCity Community Investment Bank (VCIB) in connection with the project financing provided to Noventa Energy Partners for the development of the $42.9 million energy transfer project to be constructed at Toronto Western Hospital, part of the University Health Network (UHN).
  • Counsel to Bird Construction Inc. as borrower under a $200 million syndicated credit facility with Bank of Montreal as lead arranger, bookrunner and administrative agent, and The Toronto-Dominion Bank, ATB Financial and Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce as lenders.
  • Finch West LRT (Light Rail Transit) Project – Counsel to bond underwriters and bank lenders on the $2.5 billion project to design, build, finance, operate and maintain a new 11 kilometer dedicated light rail transit extension in Toronto, Ontario
  • OPP Modernization Phase 2 Project – Counsel to bank lenders on this project to design, build and finance nine separate Ontario Provincial Police facilities across Ontario
  • Gordie Howe International Bridge Project – Counsel to bond underwriters and bank lenders in connection with the RFP bid submission by Legacy Link Partners for the over $5 billion project procured by the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA)
  • CRD Residuals Treatment Facility Project – Counsel to the equity sponsors in the $126.8 million project to design, build, finance, operate and maintain a residuals treatment facility in Saanich, B.C.
  • Hamilton Biosolids Management Project – Counsel to the equity sponsors in the $106 million project to design, build, finance and maintain a biosolids management facility in the City of Hamilton
  • Counsel to CWB Maxium Financial Inc. in connection with the secured project financing of renewable energy projects developed by Community Energy Development Co-operative
  • New Bridge for the St. Lawrence Corridor (Champlain Bridge) Project – Counsel to bond underwriters and bank lenders in the $3.9 billion PPP project for the design, build, financing, operation, maintenance and rehabilitation of an approximately 3.4 km long new bridge across the St. Lawrence river to replace the existing Champlain Bridge
  • North Commuter Parkway Project – Counsel to the equity sponsors (Graham Capital and BBGI SICAV S.A.) in the $264 million project to design, build, finance and maintain a new traffic bridge and related infrastructure in the City of Saskatoon
  • Highway 407 East Phase 2 Project – Counsel to the bond underwriters and bank lenders in the $722 million project to design, build, finance and maintain a 22.1 kilometre easterly extension of the Highway 407 over a period of 30 years
  • City of Moncton Downtown Centre Project – Counsel to the Bird Construction Inc. in the successful financial close of the Moncton Downtown Project
  • Calgary Composting Facility Project – Counsel to the Bird Construction Inc.in the successful financial close of the $143 million PPP project to design, build, finance and operate a composting facility in the City of Calgary
  • Eglinton Crosstown LRT PPP Project – Counsel to Crosstown Transit Partners (consortium consisting of Fengate Capital, OHL Concesiones, STRABAG, Bechtel Developments and Obayashi Canada) in its response to Infrastructure Ontario’s RFP for Eglinton LRT
  • Casey House Hospice Redevelopment Project – Counsel to lenders in the $32 million, 58,000-square-foot build-finance PPP project involving renovation of the existing heritage property and the construction of a new facility for the hospice
  • Saskatoon Civic Operations Centre Project – Counsel to equity sponsors (EllisDon Capital Inc. and Fengate Capital Management Inc.) in the $128 million project to design, build, finance and operate a transit and snow management facility for the City of Saskatoon
  • Mackenzie Valley Fibre Link Project – Counsel to lenders in the $82 million project to design, build, finance, operate and maintain a 1,400 kilometre long fibre-optic cable link between High Level, Alberta and Inuvik, Northwest Territories
  • John Hart Generation Station Replacement Project – Counsel to lenders and bond underwriters in the $1.1 billion project to design, build, finance and maintain the John Hart Generation Station Replacement
  • Counsel to Sun Capital Partners in the acquisition financing of Invensys Appliances and amalgamation of Invensys and Robertshaw Controls Company
  • Counsel to Fengate Capital Management in respect of the development and financing of a 40 MW biomass powerplant in Fort St. James, British Columbia
  • Counsel to Royal Bank of Canada as administrative agent for a syndicate of lenders providing a $35 million syndicated credit facility and as a bilateral lender providing $27 million bilateral loan facility to a North American regional airline
  • Canadian counsel to JPMorgan Chase Bank as administrative agent for a syndicate of lenders providing $350 million credit facilities to an international clothing and fashion retailer
  • Counsel to Potentia Solar Inc. in the development and financing of 33.6MW portfolio of solar generation projects to be located on 311 Toronto District School Board rooftops
  • Canadian counsel to Premier Farnell PLC in respect of the Canadian aspects of a £200 million multicurrency syndicated revolving credit facility and $235 million of five to ten year US Private Placement Notes
  • Counsel to GE Capital as administrative agent for a syndicate of lenders providing $120 million credit facilities to a leading North American wholesale food company
  • Counsel to Fengate Capital Management in connection with a $235 million renewable electricity generation powerplant in Merritt, British Columbia
  • Counsel to equity sponsors in respect of the $830.5 million St. Joseph Healthcare project – a project to design, build, finance and maintain two new mental health care facilities in London and St. Thomas, Ontario
  • Counsel to Potentia Solar Inc. in the $89 million syndicated term loan facility in connection with the acquisition and development of a portfolio of 130 solar rooftop facilities under the Ontario Feed in Tariff (FIT) Program
  • Canadian counsel to GENIVAR Inc. as borrower on a $400 million credit facility and a $225 million bridge facility from Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce as administrative agent for a syndicate of lenders in connection with its acquisition of WSP Group PLC, a multi-disciplinary professional services consultancy based in London, UK
  • Canadian counsel to Sun Capital Partners, Inc. on the €200 million and $385 million senior secured notes offering by Albéa Beauty Holdings S.A. in connection with its acquisition of Rexam Personal Care, Cosmetic Division
  • Canadian counsel to a syndicate of lenders providing $100 million term loan and $95 million revolving credit facilities to a major North American recycling and reprocessing company
  • Counsel to Comerica Bank on a $40 million credit facility provided to DragonWamanave Inc. in connection with its acquisition of Nokia Siemens Networks’ microwave transport business
  • Highway 407 East Extension Phase 1 – Counsel to syndicate of bank lenders and bond underwriters in connection with the RFQ and RFP bid submissions by 407 GreenLink Partners for the $1 billion Highway 407 East extension project (Phase 1)

Speaking Engagements

Speaker, “Understanding the Landscape of Canadian Infrastructure,” Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Ontario

2023

Speaker, “The Procurement Process and the Key Players from Start to Commercial Close,“ Osgoode Hall Law School, Toronto, Ontario

2023

P3 Litigation: Tackling and Resolving Disputes - OBA Construction Law Program, Toronto, Ontario

December 5, 2017

Teaching Engagements

  • Faculty, Certification Program on Public-Private Partnership P3 Law and Practice in Canada, Osgoode Hall Law School, 2023
  • Adjunct professor at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law; JD and LLM courses in the Law and Policy of Public-Private Partnerships

News


Media Mentions


Rankings & Recognition

  • Recognized in the 2024 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the areas of Infrastructure Law and Project Finance
  • Recognized by Chambers Global (2024) as a leading lawyer in the areas of Project Finance and Projects: PPP & Infrastructure
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2024) as a leading lawyer in the areas of Project Finance and of Projects: PPP & Infrastructure
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2024) as a leading lawyer in the area of Project Finance Law
  • Recognized in the 2023 Lexpert Special Edition on Canada’s Leading Energy Lawyers
  • Recognized in the 2023 Lexpert Special Edition on Canada’s Leading Infrastructure Lawyers as an Infrastructure Lawyer
  • Recognized in the 2023 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the area of Project Finance
  • Recognized by Chambers Global (2023) as a leading lawyer in the area of Project Finance
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2023) as a leading lawyer in the areas of Project Finance and Projects: PPP & Infrastructure
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2023) as a leading lawyer in the area of Project Finance Law
  • Recognized in the 2022 Lexpert Special Edition on Canada’s Leading Infrastructure Lawyers as an Infrastructure Lawyer
  • Recognized as a Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyer 2022
  • Recognized in the 2022 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the area of Infrastructure Law
  • Recognized by Chambers Global (2022) as a leading lawyer in the area of Project Finance”
  • Recognized by IFLR1000 Financial and Corporate Guide 2022 as a Rising Star in the areas of Banking and Project Finance
  • Winner in the Lexpert 2021 Rising Star Awards: Leading Lawyer Under 40
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2022) as a leading lawyer in the area of Project Finance
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2022) as a leading lawyer in the area of Project Finance Law
  • Recognized in the 2021 Lexpert Special Edition on Canada’s Leading Infrastructure Lawyers as a Infrastructure Lawyer
  • Recognized in the 2021 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the areas of Banking & Financial Institutions and Infrastructure Law
  • Recognized by Chambers Global (2021) as a leading lawyer in the area of Project Finance
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2021) as a leading lawyer in the area of Project Finance
  • Recognized by IFLR1000 Financial and Corporate Guide 2020 as a Rising Star in Banking and Project Finance
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2020) as a leading lawyer in the area of Project Finance
  • Recognized by IFLR1000 Financial and Corporate Guide 2019 as a Rising Star in banking and Project Finance
  • Named in IFLR1000 Financial and Corporate Guide 2018 as a rising star in the areas of Banking and Project Finance

Directorships & Affiliations

  • Canadian Bar Association
  • Ontario Bar Association

Education & Admissions

2011
Called to the Ontario bar
2010
JD Osgoode Hall Law School
2007
BACarleton University

Publications

Insights (8 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

Ottawa LRT and the Future of P3s: Public (interest), Private (collaboration) & (meaningful) Partnerships

A summary of the Commission’s key recommendations arising from the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Public Inquiry regarding the public-private-partnership (P3) model.

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Dec 5, 2022
Featured Insight

Crosslinx v. Ontario Infrastructure: Turns out the Pandemic is an Emergency…

The public sector’s hardline view of risk allocation in P3 contracts suffered a serious setback with the release of the Crosslinx decision.

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May 25, 2021
Featured Insight

Pandemic and Epidemic Events: Addressing the Risk in P3 Projects

Using the benefit of experience with the COVID-19 crisis to re-evaluate risk allocation for pandemics and epidemics in P3 projects.

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May 11, 2020
Featured Insight

Performance Bonds: What Project Finance Lenders Should Know

As part of the performance security package for construction projects, project finance lenders (as well as project owners, landlords and government authorities) often require performance bonds from the construction contractor as security for the performance of the contractor’s obligations.

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Feb 28, 2019
Featured Insight

Getting the Deal Through – Banking Regulation 2017

Canada has a centrally regulated banking system with a focus on macroprudential regulation and stability of the financial system ...

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Jun 27, 2017
Featured Insight

Getting the Deal Through – Banking Regulation 2015, Canada chapter

Getting the Deal Through - Banking Regulation 2015, Canada chapter

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Dec 23, 2015
Featured Insight

Ontario Announces Major Plans for the Ontario Electricity Market and Creates Infrastructure Opportunities

Ontario Announces Major Plans for the Ontario Electricity Market and Creates Infrastructure Opportunities

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Apr 21, 2015

Deals & Cases (18 Posts)

Featured Insight

Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) Commits $100 Million to Help Building Owners Lower Their Environmental Footprints Through Bank of Montreal (BMO)

McMillan LLP acted as counsel to the Canada Infrastructure Bank (“CIB”) on a master participation agreement with Bank of Montreal ...

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May 12, 2023
Featured Insight

Canada Infrastructure Bank invests up to $100 Million in Ameresco as Part of the Building Retrofits Initiative

McMillan LLP acted as counsel to the Canada Infrastructure Bank (“CIB”) on its financing to Ameresco Canada Inc. (“Ameresco”) as part of the Building Retrofits Initiative (BRI)

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Mar 31, 2023
Featured Insight

Canada Infrastructure Bank’s $100 Million Financing to IonicBlue for Energy Eficiency Projects Across Canada

IonicBlue CleanEnergy Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of IonicBlue, closed on a $100 million credit facility with the Canada Infrastructure Bank.

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Mar 31, 2023
Featured Insight

Canada Infrastructure Bank Commits $25 Million to Modern Niagara’s Large Scale Commercial Retrofit

McMillan LLP acted as counsel to the Canada Infrastructure Bank (“CIB”) on its financing to the Modern Niagara Group (“Modern Niagara”), as part of the Building Retrofits Initiative (BRI).

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Mar 28, 2023
Featured Insight

Canada Infrastructure Bank Invests in Avenue Living Asset Management Building Retrofits

McMillan LLP acted as counsel to the Canada Infrastructure Bank (“CIB”) on its financing to Avenue Living Asset Management, as part of the Building Retrofits Initiative (BRI).

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Mar 24, 2023
Featured Insight

Canada Infrastructure Bank Commits $46.5 Million Towards Building Retrofits at the Fairmont Royal York Hotel

McMillan LLP acted as counsel to the Canada Infrastructure Bank (“CIB”) on its financing to KingSett Capital (“KingSett”), as part of the Building Retrofits Initiative (BRI).

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Feb 28, 2023
Featured Insight

GO Rail Expansion On Corridor Project

On April 14, 2022, Metrolinx and Infrastructure Ontario, together with ONxpress Transportation Partners, reached Commercial Close in respect of the GO Rail Expansion On Corridor Project for the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Region, marking the start of the Project’s Development Phase.

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Apr 14, 2022
Featured Insight

Canada Infrastructure Bank invests $136.6 Million Towards Energy Efficiency Retrofits in Dream’s Properties

The Canada Infrastructure Bank (“CIB”) reached financial close on the $136 million financing to DREAM UNLIMITED CORP.

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Mar 31, 2022
Featured Insight

Vancity Community Investment Bank Commits $32.5 Million Refinancing for Niagara Region Wind Farm

On November 17, 2021, VanCity Community Investment Bank reached financial close on a $32.5 million refinancing to Six Nations of the Grand River Development Corporation...

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Nov 17, 2021
Featured Insight

Vancity Commits $38 Million Towards Toronto Western Hospital Wastewater Energy Transfer Project

On October 21, 2021, Vancity Community Investment Bank and Canada Infrastructure Bank reached financial close on a $38 million project financing to Noventa Energy Partners for the development of the world’s largest raw wastewater energy transfer system at Toronto Western Hospital...

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Oct 21, 2021
Featured Insight

Canada Infrastructure Bank Invests $100 Million in SOFIAC for Energy Efficiency Projects Across Québec

McMillan acted as legal counsel to Canada Infrastructure Bank, as Agent, in its $100 million financing of Société de financement et d’accompagnement en performance énergétique.

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Sep 15, 2021
Featured Insight

Phase I of the Burnaby Hospital Redevelopment Project Has Reached Financial Close

On June 29, 2021, the Fraser Health Authority announced the financial close of the $1.4 billion Phase 1 Redevelopment Project of the Burnaby Hospital, provided by the Bank of Nova Scotia.

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Jun 29, 2021
Featured Insight

Hurontario LRT

On October 21, 2019, the Mobilinx consortium reached financial close of the CAD$4.6 Billion DBFOM contract with Infrastructure Ontario (“IO”) and Metrolinx for the Hurontario Light Rail Transit (“LRT”) Project in Ontario.

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Oct 21, 2019
Featured Insight

Orléans Health Hub Project Reaches Financial Close

On August 6, 2019, Infrastructure Ontario (IO) and Hôpital Montfort reached financial close on the Orléans Health Hub project, with the hospital awarding a $59.7 million fixed-price contract to EllisDon Infrastructure Healthcare to build and finance the facility.

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Aug 6, 2019
Featured Insight

Ottawa’s Trillium Line South Extension

On March 29, 2019, the City of Ottawa and TransitNEXT reached financial close on the Stage 2 Trillium Line south extension, a key component of Ottawa’s C$2.366 billion Stage 2 LRT project.

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Mar 29, 2019
Featured Insight

Harbour City Solutions General Partnership and the City of Hamilton enters into an Agreement to operate Biosolids Management Facility – a P3 Project

McMillan LLP acted as counsel to Project Co in the commercial and financial close. The McMillan team was led by Ahsan Mirza and Julie Han and included Michelle Boodhoo, Tayleigh Armstrong, Shahen Mirakian, Paula Bokser and Nicole Rozario.

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Mar 28, 2017
Featured Insight

North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge Project reaches financial close

North Commuter Parkway and Traffic Bridge Project reaches financial close

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Nov 3, 2015
Featured Insight

Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation closes financing on $1.2 billion Highway 407 East Phase 2 Project

Ontario Infrastructure and Lands Corporation closes financing on $1.2 billion Highway 407 East Phase 2 Project

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Mar 10, 2015