Construction 2025: Challenges in the Next Generation of Infrastructure Projects
October 23, 2025 at 9:00AM PDT
Downtown Vancouver and Live Webinar
Construction 2025: Challenges in the Next Generation of Infrastructure Projects
October 23, 2025
Overview
Join us for “Construction 2025: Challenges in the Next Generation of Infrastructure Projects” where experts and industry leaders will dive into the evolving landscape of construction and infrastructure. This day-long event will explore key issues such as the latest news in government participation, procurement best practices, and the critical role of AI in both construction projects and legal disputes. Attendees will gain valuable insights on contract drafting and project structures, dispute avoidance and resolution, workplace safety, and the best strategies for hiring experts early in a project. With opportunities for networking and discussion, this conference promises to offer actionable takeaways for navigating the challenges of modern infrastructure development. This is a must-attend event for construction professionals looking to stay ahead of industry trends and build effective strategies for the future of infrastructure.
Key Areas Addressed:
Infrastructure projects in Western Canada
The latest tips for contract drafting
Claims avoidance and dispute resolution
Hiring experts
Artificial intelligence
Workplace safety and criminal liability
Who Should Attend:
Lawyers
Public infrastructure managers
Construction and development company owners and C-suite officers
Construction managers, contractors, subcontractors, and suppliers
Project control managers, prime contract managers and claims consultants
Designers, engineers and architects
Construction insurers and risk managers
Agenda
9:00 - Welcome and Introduction by PBLI
9:05 - Chairs’ Welcome and Introduction
Karen Martin, KC
Dentons Canada LLP
Morgan Burris
Dentons Canada LLP
9:10 - The Current Landscape of Infrastructure Projects in the West
Mark Liedemann
Infrastructure BC
The recent and current role of governments in infrastructure projects
Most common forms of contracting models
Current challenges in the market
10:00 - Questions and Discussion
10:10 - Refreshment Adjournment
10:25 - Tips for Preparing Infrastructure Project Contracts
Liezl Behm
McCarthy Tétrault LLP
Jason Roth
Bennett Jones LLP
Financing of infrastructure projects
Procurement best practices
Contracts: strengths and weaknesses of contract types, drafting tips, working with contract templates
11:15 - Questions and Discussion
11:25 - Claims Avoidance and In-Project Dispute Resolution
David Curtis
Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP
Chris Armstrong
McLean & Armstrong LLP
The growing importance of in-project resolution on high value projects
Strategies, tips and techniques
12:15 - Questions and Discussion
12:25 - Networking Lunch
1:25 - Best Practices for Hiring Experts
Stuart B. Hankinson, KC
Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP
Morgan Burris
Dentons Canada LLP
What you need to know about the law in BC regarding experts on construction projects
Risks to consider when hiring experts early in a project
2:15 - Questions and Discussion
2:25 - Refreshment Adjournment
2:40 - Artificial Intelligence in Construction and Construction Law
Andrew Stanger
Acciona
Nolan Hurlburt
Dentons Canada LLP
The role of AI in design and construction
Using AI in contract drafting and negotiation, and in legal disputes and proceedings
3:30 - Questions and Discussion
3:40 - Workplace Safety and Criminal Liability
David Butcher, KC
Martland & Saulnier
Cait Fleck
Martland & Saulnier
Eleni Kassaris
Dentons Canada LLP
What you need to know about workplace safety law
What is the law on criminal negligence causing death on construction projects
What project owners and contractors should be doing to meet standards
4:30 - Questions and Discussion
4:40 - Chairs’ Closing Remarks
4:50 - Forum Concludes
Meet the Co-Chairs
-
Partner, Dentons Canada LLP, Vancouver, BC
Karen is a partner whose practice focuses on dispute resolution on construction and infrastructure projects. She currently sits on the Dentons National and Global Boards. She is a past President of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers. Since the late 1980s, she has acted on procurement and construction claims, including on P3 projects. She provides strategic advice during tender and RFP processes and during construction to help clients minimize risk, avoid disputes, and resolve project issues expeditiously. When disputes arise, she acts as counsel in the negotiation, mediation, arbitration, and litigation of all types of procurement and construction claims. She also acts as a referee, mediator and arbitrator. She is one of the contributing authors to the BC Builders Liens Practice Manual and the BC Business Disputes Manual, Construction Law chapter. Ms. Martin is ranked in the areas of Construction and Procurement by LEXPERT, Best Lawyers in Canada, Who’s Who Legal and Who’s Who Legal Canada, Chambers Canada, Chambers Global and Legal 500.
-
Partner, Dentons Canada LLP, Vancouver, BC
Morgan is a partner in Dentons’ Vancouver office and a member of the Firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution group and a prominent member of the Infrastructure and PPP and Construction groups. She helps clients across a broad range of public and private sectors identify and execute practical and efficient solutions for existing and potential commercial and construction disputes in a way that aligns with their strategic goals and minimizes disruption to their operations. Morgan has extensive knowledge and experience in litigation across various business transactions and relationships, including disputes involving construction and engineering, commercial real estate development, mining investment and insolvencies, environmental, intellectual property, Aboriginal title and treaty claims, film and television, competition, and corporate governance matters. In her construction practice, she provides strategic advice to clients throughout the procurement and construction process, and has a breadth of experience guiding owners, developers and contractors through a variety of disputes such as delay claims, negligence, faulty design and/or workmanship, change in site conditions, builders’ liens, and warranty claims. Morgan has acted as trial counsel and appeared at all levels of provincial and federal courts, including the British Columbia Supreme Court, the British Columbia Court of Appeal, the Yukon Supreme Court, the Yukon Court of Appeal, the Federal Court of Appeal and the Competition Tribunal. She has also represented clients in confidential commercial arbitrations. Prior to pursuing a career in law, Morgan studied mechanical engineering at Queen’s University and worked in manufacturing and mechanical building design.
Meet the Faculty
-
Partner, McCarthy Tétrault LLP, Vancouver, BC
Liezl is a partner in the Business Law and Financial Services groups in McCarthy Tétrault LLP’s Vancouver office. Her practice is primarily focused in the areas of project finance, infrastructure, renewable energy and secured lending. She also has experience with refinancings and other secondary market transactions in respect of completed projects.
Liezl has broad experience representing a wide variety of clients, covering all principal parties on projects (including borrowers, equity investors, sponsors and lenders) on numerous complex project finance transactions. She regularly advises developers and lenders in connection with developing and financing renewable energy projects and all areas of infrastructure. Liezl also has extensive experience in corporate banking transactions and advises lenders and borrowers in transactions including bank credit facilities and bond financings.
-
Associate Counsel, Martland & Saulnier, Vancouver, BC
David Butcher, KC began his career as a prosecutor with the Department of Justice in 1985. He practiced both criminal and civil litigation at a regional firm between 1989 and 2003, and then became one of the founders of what became Wilson Butcher. He was appointed Queen’s Counsel in 2010. He joined Martland & Saulnier as Associate Counsel in 2025.
David is a senior barrister with a broad practice involving all aspects of the criminal justice system. He has appeared in all courts in British Columbia and Alberta, and in Manitoba, Ontario, Nunavut and the Yukon, and in the Supreme Court of Canada. Among his notable cases are R. v. Stone, [1999] 2 SCR 290, the leading case on automatism in Canada, and R. v. Lavallee, Rackel and Heintz, 2002 SCC 61, in which the Supreme Court struck down the law-office search provisions in the Criminal Code. He has defended a wide spectrum of criminal and regulatory offences, ranging from murder to tax evasion, and has acted for police officers and police agencies in hundreds of civil and administrative proceedings.
David is a Special Prosecutor appointed by the Attorney General of British Columbia. In that capacity, he has prosecuted serious cases involving public officials, and other crimes, including murder. For more than two decades, he taught Advanced Advocacy at the University of British Columbia Faculty of Law. He has been appointed by the Court to act as a referee, and as a Commissioner to take evidence overseas. He has acted as counsel on a number of public inquiries, including the RCMP Public Complaints Commission Inquiry into the APEC conference, the BC Utilities Commission Review of the Kemano Dam Project, the Braidwood Inquiry into the Death of Robert Dziekanski, and the Cullen Commission of Inquiry into Money Laundering in British Columbia. Although much of David’s work has been in the public eye, his best work has been in cases that have been resolved before they were made public by the commencement of litigation.
Today his practice includes the defence of claims and charges against police agencies and individual police officers; claims and charges against corporations arising from industrial accidents and deaths; allegations of professional misconduct; and white collar crimes such as fraud and tax evasion.
-
Partner, Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP, Vancouver, BC
Stuart Hankinson, KC is a Partner in the Construction and Infrastructure Practice Group at Singleton Urquhart Reynolds Vogel LLP. His practice is focused on the resolution of complex construction, commercial and insurance disputes. He has moderated many conflicts. He is an arbitrator and has been a sole Dispute Adjudication Board (DAB)/Dispute Resolution Board (DRB) member.
He acts for owners, developers, Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC) and Engineering, Procurement, and Construction Management (EPCM) contractors, design-builders, insurers, construction and project managers, as well as the parties involved in public-private partnership (P3) projects.
Stuart has lectured for multiple organizations, including the Pacific Business & Law Institute, Canadian Institute, Insight Education Services, and Agenda Management Limited.
He is a Charter Fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers and is recognized as a leading lawyer by various legal publishers and rankings agencies, including Chambers Global (Arbitration), Lexpert®, The Legal 500, Who’s Who Legal, and Benchmark Canada.
-
Partner, Bennett Jones LLP, Calgary, AB
Jason Roth is head of the firm's construction law practice group. Jason practises law related to infrastructure development projects. He represents owners/developers and contractors in relation to domestic and international infrastructure, LNG, power and renewables, electrical transmission, pipeline, natural gas processing, agriculture, mining, and other projects.
Jason provides strategic advice, structuring, and drafting and negotiation of design/build, engineering, procurement and construction (EPC), engineering and procurement (E&P), engineering, procurement and construction management (EPCM) and owner-managed contracts related to such projects. He also assists clients with procurement and supply chain matters as well as contract administration issues such as change order management and warranty issues.
From 2005 to 2006, Jason was in-house project counsel for the Qatar Liquefied Gas Company Limited (II) Project in Doha, Qatar. The US$12-billion project supplies 15 mpta of liquefied natural gas from Qatar to the UK and north Europe.
Jason is a member of the Canadian Bar Association construction practice section, a member of the British Columbia Construction Roundtable (BCCR) and a fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers.
-
Partner, McLean & Armstrong LLP, Vancouver, BC
Chris Armstrong graduated from geotechnical engineering at UBC in 1989. He is a professional engineer in Civil Engineering, which he applied in the mining and heavy construction fields, including with Tercon Contractors Ltd. – an employer which caused him to consider a legal career and culminated in his first trip to the SCC in 2010. He worked in the consulting and construction industry for five years, first as a consulting geotechnical engineer and then as a project engineer.
Chris obtained his LLB from the University of Calgary in 1997 and was admitted to the British Columbia bar in 1998. In May 1998, Chris joined Brian McLean in partnership, creating McLean & Armstrong LLP. The firm has grown into one of the premier construction law firms in British Columbia, and has undertaken the resolution of large, complex disputes across Canada. Chris’ practice is primarily focused on providing advice to construction clients as issues arise, beginning with contract drafting and development, throughout the course of construction, and on to dispute resolution. Chris’ advice is sought on all aspects of the construction process including procurement, insurance, bonding, and contract issues.
Chris has been to the Supreme Court of Canada twice and was successful both times, as counsel for the contractor in Tercon Contractors Ltd. v. British Columbia (Transportation and Highways), [2010] 1 S.C.R. 69; and the subcontractor in Valard Construction Ltd. v. Bird Construction Co. 2018 SCC 8.
Chris is involved in the Master Municipal Construction Documents Association (MMCD), the Canadian Construction Association, BC Roadbuilders Association, Vancouver Regional Construction Association, CBA and as a fellow of the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers. He is also a lecturer at industry and legal conferences and seminars.
When Chris is not working he can be found at the M&A boot camp competing with Chris Moore for the loudest lawyer or contemplating Timothy Leary’s words while on the beach with his wife on either of his two favourite islands – Lasqueti and Hawaii.
-
Partner, Fasken Martineau DuMoulin LLP, Vancouver, BC
David Curtis is a litigation and dispute resolution Partner in the Vancouver office. His practice is focused exclusively on the construction industry. David is a Fellow with the Canadian College of Construction Lawyers and is recognized as a leading construction lawyer by various ranking agencies.
David has extensive experience acting for construction owners, design-builders, general contractors, subcontractors, insurers and designers. He has advised clients on numerous types of projects in various industries including high rise residential, public infrastructure, energy and mining, hospitals, dams, transmission lines, water treatment facilities and pipelines. He provides advice on all ends of the construction spectrum, from helping clients with tendering disputes, to resolving disputes during construction, to post-construction litigation and arbitration. He has experience litigating cases in the Supreme Court of British Columbia and the Court of Appeal for British Columbia, and extensive mediation and arbitration experience.
David has lectured and written extensively on various topics related to construction law. He is currently an adjunct professor with the Allard School of Law, University of British Columbia, and co-teaches construction law every fall.
-
Director, Knowledge and Legal Operations, Dentons Canada LLP, Vancouver, BC
Nolan Hurlburt (He/Him/His) leads Dentons’ Knowledge and Legal Operations team for the Canada Region, setting the strategic direction for key internal processes, knowledge solutions and technology that improve efficiency and effectiveness.
A former software developer and practicing lawyer, Nolan delivers invaluable insight on client service excellence, legal process design and change management, as well as the suite of technology at Dentons providing clients with solutions to meet their complex and evolving needs. Nolan possesses a sophisticated understanding of the strategic application of project management and technology, bringing a unique and complementary perspective to the practice of law.
A deliberately design-focused thinker, Nolan spearheads initiatives that bolster Dentons lawyers’ ability to deliver high quality and timely client service. Working closely with leadership, practice groups, sectors, offices and business services, Nolan is at the helm of a cross functional team of legal, information, business and technology professionals, who work to ensure Dentons is investing in the right value-added process improvements and technologies, while delivering on the Firm’s knowledge management, operations and innovation strategies.
-
President and CEO, Infrastructure BC, Vancouver, BC
Mark Liedemann has been part of the executive team at Infrastructure BC since 2016 and took on the role of President and CEO in December 2018. In this role, Mark leads the management team responsible for the planning, procurement and implementation of large and complex infrastructure projects in B.C. and throughout Canada. Key responsibilities include corporate strategy as well as shareholder and stakeholder relations.
Mark is committed to developing all of his colleagues at Infrastructure BC and fostering their success by establishing a culture that allows for growth and learning in a knowledge-based workplace. Mark is also committed to lifelong learning, models excellence and integrity and expects the same from others.
Mark joined Infrastructure BC in 2008 coming from PricewaterhouseCoopers. In his nearly 20 years of experience in infrastructure, notable projects include Canada Line, Port Mann Bridge, Fort St. John Hospital, Iqaluit International Airport, and BC Hydro Smart Meter.
Mark holds a Bachelor of Science from the University of British Columbia and a Masters of Business Administration from the University of Victoria. Mark earned his designation as a CFA Charter holder in 2003.
-
Associate, Martland & Saulnier, Vancouver, BC
Cait Fleck is an associate at Martland & Saulnier. She received a B.A. from the University of British Columbia, and a J.D. from the Peter A. Allard School of Law at UBC. During her time at law school, she was a clinician with the Law Students’ Legal Advice Program, volunteered with Access Pro Bono, and competed in the Peter Burns Competition, a criminal trial moot. Prior to law school, Cait spent five years living and working in South America, and she is fluent in Spanish.
Cait has appeared in all levels of court in BC. She has experience working on a broad range of criminal, civil, and administrative matters, including the defence of Criminal Code charges, special prosecutions, civil forfeiture, police and professional discipline, and civil litigation involving police agencies. She also has particular experience dealing with sexual assault matters, as both defence counsel and complainant’s counsel.
-
Partner, Dentons Canada LLP, Vancouver, BC
Eleni Kassaris is a partner and leader of the Employment and Labour group in Dentons’ Vancouver office. Drawing from over her 20 years of experience, Eleni advises employers across a wide range of industries, including technology, mining, property management, oil and gas, construction and life sciences.
Eleni excels both in an advisory capacity and as litigation counsel on matters relating to workplace disputes, including general workplace crisis management, hiring practices, disciplinary actions, terminations and wrongful dismissal litigation. She handles issues such as post-employment competition by former employees, human rights violations in the workplace, privacy matters, workers’ compensation, occupational health and safety matters, compliance with employment standards and executive compensation matters.
Eleni proactively adapts her strategies to meet her clients’ evolving needs and address new workplace dynamics. Her clients recognize Eleni as an “incredibly knowledgeable lawyer” and “highly skilled at getting conclusive results for her clients who consistently provides “clear, logical, timely and strategic guidance” on “complex issues in real time”. (Legal 500 Canada, 2025).
An accomplished litigator, Eleni has represented clients before the Supreme Court of British Columbia, the Court of Appeal for British Columbia and the Federal Court of Canada. She also appears regularly before various administrative bodies and tribunals, including representing employers before the British Columbia Human Rights Tribunal, the British Columbia Labour Relations Board and the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of British Columbia.
-
Projects Lawyer, Acciona, Vancouver, BC
Andrew is an in-house lawyer at Acciona Canada, a global leader in constructing and delivering social and sustainable infrastructure.
Prior to moving in-house, he practiced with a multinational law firm in their construction, infrastructure and PPP group with a focus on advising governmental authorities, proponents and contractors in a variety of development, procurement and construction matters.
He provides business-focused advice at every project phase, from planning and procurement, through to construction and operation, with a special focus on advising on RFPs, completing bid documentation, and negotiating and drafting complex construction agreements.
Registration Form
Program:
Construction 2025: Challenges in the Next Generation of Infrastructure Projects
Date:
October 23, 2025
Location:
UBC Robson Square (800 Robson Street - Classroom level), Vancouver, BC
Registration:
The registration fee is $890.00 plus GST of $44.50 totalling $934.50 for webinar and in-person attendance. Registration fee covers your attendance at the program and electronic materials. In-person attendance includes a catered lunch and refreshments throughout the day.
Early Bird Discount:
Register by September 23, 2025 and receive a $100 discount on the registration fee ($790.00 plus GST). Discounts cannot be combined.
Group Discount:
Register four persons from the same organization at the same time and you are entitled to a complimentary fifth registration. Discounts cannot be combined.
If you would like to register a group, please fill out this form and email it to registrations@pbli.com:
Payment:
You may pay by VISA, Mastercard or cheque. Cheques should be made payable to the Pacific Business & Law Institute and mailed to Unit 2-2246 Spruce Street, Vancouver, BC V6H 2P3. Please do not send cheques via courier with signature required.
When and Where:
Check-in begins at 8:30 a.m. The program starts at 9:00 a.m. (PDT). UBC Robson Square is located at 800 Robson Street in Vancouver, BC, and our event will take place on the classroom level. Please visit https://robsonsquare.ubc.ca/find-us/ for directions.
Materials:
The faculty will prepare papers and/or other materials explaining many of the points raised during this program. Materials will be distributed electronically. Please contact us at registrations@pbli.com if you are unable to attend the program and wish to purchase a set of materials.
Cancellations/Transfers:
Refunds will be given for cancellations (less a $60.00 administration fee) if notice is received in writing five full business days prior to the program (October 16, 2025). After that time we are unable to refund registration fees. Substitutions will be permitted. We reserve the right to cancel, change or revise the date, faculty, content, availability of webinar or venue and transfer in-person registration to webinar registration for this event.
To register by phone:
Telephone us: 604-730-2500
Your Privacy:
We will keep all information that you provide to us in strict confidence, other than to prepare a delegate list containing your name, title, firm and city for our faculty and the program delegates. We do not share our mailing lists with any non-affiliated organization.
Course Accreditation:
Attendance at this course can be listed for up to 6 hours of continuing professional development credits with the Law Society of BC. For practitioners in other jurisdictions, please check your governing body’s CPD requirements.
If you would like to register a group, please fill out this form (DOWNLOAD FORM) and email it to registrations@pbli.com (*This form is for registrations of 5 or more and cannot be combined with any other promotions/discount codes.)
For individual registration, please continue with form below.