W. Thomas Barlow is a founding member, and former Leader and Chair, of the firm’s Infrastructure & Public-Private Partnerships (PPP/P3) practice group. Tom is also a member of the Fasken National Security Group. He is ranked by Lexpert as Repeatedly Recommended for Infrastructure Law.
Tom has led and advised on numerous infrastructure, project finance and PPP projects and other procurements in multiple jurisdictions and sectors over many years, for authorities, bidders and consortium members, including developers, constructors, operators, and lenders. He is currently acting on matters involving the procurement and provision of public services, systems and infrastructure, both in Canada and internationally. Efficiently balancing public and private interests and risks, Tom has been integral to the development and implementation of new P3 models since the earliest PPP projects in Canada. The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships and other industry organizations have recognized many of the public-private projects on which he has acted, several of which have been named “Deals of the Year.” A recent example is the Gordie Howe International Bridge Project which has been awarded recognition by Lexpert, Project Finance International and Project Finance & Infrastructure Journal (IJ Global). IJ Global has also recognized Fasken as North America Public Sector Legal Adviser of the Year for 2018.
Tom is also a specialist in municipal law and has advised on infrastructure development, land use and financing in the local and regional contexts, including First Nations and community benefits.
As part of his municipal, regulatory and administrative law practice, Tom has provided advice on planning law, municipal assessment and taxation, applications and approvals, by-law interpretation and other municipal and compliance matters as well as national security issues related to infrastructure. He has also frequently negotiated with or represented municipalities and public agencies across Ontario, as well as representing clients before administrative boards and tribunals. His practice has included representing clients on matters pending before courts at all levels in Ontario, at the Federal Court and in the Supreme Court of Canada.
