Tim Murphy Photo
Tim Murphy Photo
Tim Murphy Photo

Tim Murphy is recognized as a leading lawyer in public private partnerships and infrastructure. He has exceptional expertise in financial services, government and public policy, and Indigenous law. Advising national and international clients, Tim provides trusted counsel in diverse areas including project finance, construction law, infrastructure and renewable energy, government procurement and bid practices.

An extensive and distinguished background in the public sector gives Tim unique insight into the workings of government. He served as chief of staff to the prime minister of Canada, providing strategic advice and direction to cabinet, the prime minister and senior levels of the public service. He also served as chief of staff to a former finance minister of Canada, as a member of provincial parliament in Ontario and as a strategic advisor to governments at all levels.

Tim is ranked in the area of projects by Chambers Global and PLC Which Lawyer and in project finance by the Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory and IFLR 1000. Tim was also nominated by in-house counsel and his peers to appear in the 1st edition of the Guide to the World’s Leading Banking Finance and Transactional Attorneys for his work in project finance.

A frequent commentator on BNN, Global Television, CTV Newsnet and CBC Newsworld, Tim is the author of Public-private Partnerships in Canada: Law, Policy and Value for Money, published by LexisNexis Canada in 2019. He teaches the Law and Policy of Public Private Partnerships at the JD and LLM levels at the University of Toronto Faculty of Law. Tim is also a member of the national public affairs firm McMillan Vantage Policy Group and is a leader of the firm’s Project Finance and P3 Group.



Representative Matters

  • Counsel to the lenders on the $2.5 billion Finch West Light Rail Transit Project in Toronto, Canada
  • Counsel to the bond and bank lenders to the $4.2 billion Champlain Bridge Project in Montreal, Canada
  • Counsel to the bond and bank lenders to the $1.2 billion Highway 407 East Phase 2 Project
  • Counsel to the bond and bank lenders to the 132 MW John Hart Generating Station Power Project in British Columbia
  • Counsel to the Alderville First Nation 5 MW solar farm generating station, the first 100% First Nation owned solar power project in Canada
  • Counsel to ONroute with respect to the $300 million AFP project for the 23 service station and restaurants on Highways 400 and 401 in the Province of Ontario
  • Counsel to lenders to one of the bidders on the Waterloo Region Light Transit project;
  • Counsel to the lenders to one of the bid teams for the Windsor-Essex Parkway Project
  • Counsel to the Batchewana First Nation in respect of its equity stake in a 60 MW wind power project in Ontario
  • Counsel to Infrastructure Ontario in respect of the procurement of the proposed Ontario diabetes registry
  • Advisor to the World Bank in respect of PPP training for the governments of Sierra Leone and Peru
  • Counsel to Export Development Canada with respect to loans to Chrysler Canada, Inc.
  • Counsel to the developers of FIT PV electricity project

Speaking Engagements

Moderator, Best Practices for Highly Regulated Industries Public Affairs, The Canadian Institute, Ottawa, Ontario

March 2017

Cross Country Panel: the Use of P3s in Canada Special Best Practices Panel: Lessons Learned and Challenges on the Horizon - Osgoode Certificate in Public-Private Partnerships, Toronto, Ontario

February 2017

Speaker, PPP Projects and Process PPP Canada, Ottawa, Ontario

November 2016

Panelist, Ontario Chamber of Commerce Ontario Economic Report, Toronto, Ontario

November 2016

Legal Panel, Let's Get Jurisprudential: Hot Topics in P3 Law and Procurement Innovating our Future – the 24th Annual CCPPP National Conference on Public-Private Partnerships, Toronto, Ontario

November 2016

Managing Risk in Healthcare Facility Building Projects Canadian Healthcare Infrastructure, Toronto, Ontario

October 2016

Public Private Partnerships, Lecturer Osgoode Certificate in Construction Law

May 2016

Constraining Costs and Staying Competitive in the Electricity Market Panelists, Empowering Ontario

July 8, 2015

The Implications of the Keewatin and Tsilhqot'in Decisions in Ontario and Building Economic Partnerships with First Nations and Metis Communities Co-Chair, Pacific Business & Law Institute

October 28, 2014

Presentation of the Sustainability of GBEs – Why Projects Succeed and Fail Ryerson University's Advanced Management and Governance in GBEs – Leadership Series

October 2011

Reflections and Observations on The Public Image of Lawyers Law Society of Upper Canada's Sixth Annual Solo and Small Firm Export

June 2011

Effective Communication With Your Board Canadian Corporate Counsel Association

April 2011

A Renewable Energy Strategy for Canada Moderator, Canadian Solar Industries Association Solar Conference 2009

December 2009

Domestic Content: Protectionism or the Wave of the Future Moderator, Canadian Solar Industries Association Solar Conference 2009

December 2009

Effectively Structuring and Managing Design Build Projects Presented at the 19th Annual Construction SuperConference, The Canadian Institute

November 25, 2009

The Power of Story in Social Change Presentation: 2009 Maytree Leadership Conference

October 2009

Engaging and Negotiating with Aboriginal Communities Presentation: Canadian Institute

September 2009

Realizing the Potential Presentation: EUCI's Distributed Generation Using Renewable Energy Conference

September 2009

Public Opinion and the Policy Environment: What's Coming? Presentation: 2009 Annual Conference, Ontario Energy Association

September 2009

Infrastructure Funding, P3s and Port Projects Presentation to ACPA Port Government Interface in Ottawa, May 11, 2009

May 2009

Accountability and Political Decision-Making Presentation: Yale University

January 2009

Alternative Construction Delivery Methods With Jody K. Becker for the Ontario Bar Association: Hot Topics in Construction Law for the Commercial Solicitor - Continuing Legal Education

November 2008

An Overview of the City of Toronto Lobbyist Registry and How it Applies to You and Your Client Presentation to the LSUC Municipal Law Conference

March 2008
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Teaching Engagements

  • 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 Most Frequently Recommended Lawyer in the area of Infrastructure Law and a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the area of Project Finance
  • Recognized by Chambers Global (2024) as a leading lawyer in the area of Project Finance
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2024) as a leading lawyer in the area of Projects: PPP & Infrastructure
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2024) as a leading lawyer in the area of Energy Law and Project Finance Law
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2023 as a leader in Government Contracts
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2023 as a leader in Government Contracts
  • 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 Most Frequently Recommended Lawyer in the area of Infrastructure Law and a Repeatedly Recommended Lawyer in the area of Project Finance
  • Recognized by Chambers Global (2023) as a leading lawyer in the area of Projects: PPP & Infrastructure
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Global 2022 as a leader in Government Contracts
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2022 as a leader in Government Contracts
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2023) as a leading lawyer in the area of Projects: PPP & Infrastructure
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2023) as a leading lawyer in the areas of Energy Law and Project Finance Law
  • Recognized in the 2022 Lexpert Special Edition on Canada’s Leading Infrastructure Lawyers as an Infrastructure Lawyer
  • Recognized in the 2022 Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory as a Most Frequently Recommended Lawyer in the area of Infrastructure Law; a Consistently Recommended Lawyer in the area of Project Finance
  • Recognized by Chambers Global (2022) as a leading lawyer in the area of Projects: PPP & Infrastructure
  • Recognized by Chambers Canada (2022) as a leading lawyer in the area of Projects: PPP & Infrastructure
  • Recognized by Best Lawyers in Canada (2022) as a leading lawyer in the areas of Energy Law and Project Finance Law
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Global 2021 as a leader in Government Contracts
  • Listed in Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2021 as a leader in Government Contracts
  • Recognized in the 2021 Lexpert Special Edition on Canada’s Leading Energy Lawyers as a Leading Energy Lawyer
  • Recognized in the 2021 Lexpert Special Edition on Canada’s Leading Infrastructure Lawyers as a Infrastructure Lawyer
  • Best Lawyers in Canada 2021 as a leader in Energy Law
  • Who’s Who Legal: Canada 2021 as a leader in Government Contracts
  • Chambers Global 2021 as a leader in Projects: PPP & Infrastructure
  • Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2021 “Leading Lawyer” in Indigenous Law, Construction Law, Infrastructure Law and Project Finance
  • Lexpert’s Special Edition on Canada’s Leading Infrastructure Lawyers 2020

Community Involvement

  • Member, Board of Directors, Ontario Stroke Network
  • Member, Board of Directors, Legal Aid Ontario
  • Member, GTA Advisory Board, Canadian National Institute for the Blind
  • Former Chief of Staff to the Prime Minister of Canada
  • Former Chief of Staff to the Finance Minister of Canada
  • Former Member of Provincial Parliament, Ontario

Directorships & Affiliations

  • Chair, Board of Directors, Toronto City Housing Corporation, 2019 –
  • Trustee, Morguard Real Estate Investment Trust, 2020 –
  • Board of Directors and Chair, Human Resources, Compensation and Pension Committee, Morguard Corporation, 2006 – 2020
  • Board of Directors, Legal Aid Ontario, 2009 – 2018
  • Board of Directors, Soulpepper Theatre, 2014 –
  • Member, GTA Advisory Board, Canadian National Institute for the Blind
  • Registered advisor and PPP Expert on the United Nations
  • Managing Director, McMillan Vantage Public Affairs LP, 2016 –

Education & Admissions

1989
Called to the Ontario bar
2007
LLMYork University
1987
LLBUniversity of Toronto
1982
BAQueen's University

Publications

Insights (17 Posts)View More

Featured Insight

The Latest Risk to the BC Natural Resource Sector: Government Uses Little Known Law to Freeze Mining Rights Unless First Nations Consent

BC's government has issued unprecedented orders, to prohibit mining activity in certain areas, unless First Nations consent.

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Mar 11, 2024
Featured Insight

BC Government Consulting on New Law to Give Indigenous Groups Control over Crown Land Decisions

The Government of BC is seeking to amend the Land Act to provide decision making power over Crown land to Indigenous groups.

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Jan 24, 2024
Featured Insight

Indigenous Law Update: What the B.C. Natural Resource Sector Should Know About “Non-Treaty” Agreements

This bulletin discusses non-treaty agreements with indigenous groups in British Columbia.

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Aug 22, 2023
Featured Insight

McMillan’s ESG Strategy Sessions

The COVID-19 pandemic and increased concerns over environmental and social issues, such as climate change and systemic racism, have prompted conversations throughout global capital markets.

Details
Thursday, October 28, 2021
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

COVID-19: “Essential” Information About the Consequences of Continuing to Operate a “Non-Essential Business” in Ontario and Québec

An outline of the potential consequences to continuing to operate a business ordered to close by the governments of Quebec and Ontario.

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Mar 25, 2020
Featured Insight

Coronavirus – A Preparedness and Response Guide for Canadian Businesses

What steps should corporations take to mitigate the risks posed by COVID-19 to the health and safety of their workforce and contractual obligations.

Read More
Mar 9, 2020
Featured Insight

Book Launch Event | Public-Private Partnerships in Canada: Law, Policy and Value for Money

Tim Murphy will discuss his journey and key moments throughout the writing process. The event will feature special guest Hon. Monte McNaughton, Ontario Minister of Infrastructure.

Details
June 19, 2019 - 5:30 pm to 8:30 pm EST
Featured Insight

Surtax! What To Do Now

On July 1, 2018, Canada imposed surtaxes on steel, aluminum, as well as certain consumer and other products from the United States.

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Jul 6, 2018
Featured Insight

Inconvenient Termination: The Financial Impact of Terminating Public-Private Partnership (“P3”) Projects

The enormous success of the P3 model in delivering on time and on budget public infrastructure[1] can see troubled waters when new Governments arrive

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Jun 12, 2018
Featured Insight

Tit for Tat

Canada Responds to U.S. Duties on Steel and Aluminium - In response to the American announcement of the imposition of duties on Canadian steel and aluminum

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Jun 1, 2018
Featured Insight

An update on aboriginal law and best practices for the C-suite

The session will focus on practical issues and questions commonly faced by senior managers and executives in the development, sale, acquisition and financing of major projects.

Details
February 2, 2017 - 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM

FinTech Forum: Innovation, Regulation or Both

At the FinTech Forum, experts from across the financial services spectrum will come together to analyze key challenges and opportunities to develop a roadmap forward.

Featured Insight

A Thunderbolt Decision on Métis Rights:Daniels v Canada (Indian Affairs and Northern Development)[1]

A Thunderbolt Decision on Métis Rights: Daniels v Canada (Indian Affairs and Northern Development)1

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Apr 28, 2016
Featured Insight

Final Report: Canada Transportation Act Review

Final Report: Canada Transportation Act Review

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Mar 16, 2016
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
Featured Insight

Alderville Solar Project Reaches Financial Close

Alderville Solar Project Reaches Financial Close

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May 13, 2013

Deals & Cases (6 Posts)

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

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

Tłı̨chǫ All-Season Road

On February 13, 2019, Finance Minister Robert C. McLeod announced that North Star Infrastructure GP had reached financial close on the Tłı̨chǫ All-Season Road in the Northwest Territories.

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Feb 1, 2019
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
Featured Insight

Alderville Solar Project Reaches Financial Close

On May 13, 2013, the Alderville First Nation (AFN) reached Financial Close for construction of the first 100% First Nation owned solar farm in Ontario.

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May 13, 2013
Featured Insight

SJHC Project Reaches Financial Close

SJHC Project Reaches Financial Close

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Mar 11, 2011