Natasha Rana
Partner
- Year of Call, British Columbia (2015)
Natasha Rana is a partner and member of Gowling WLG's Infrastructure and Construction Industry Group, where she advises on major projects spanning a variety of asset classes, including transportation, energy, healthcare, and education. She is recognized for her work by The Legal 500 Canada in the Infrastructure Projects category, by Chambers Canada in the Projects: PPP & Infrastructure category, and by Lexpert in the Infrastructure Law category.
She has a breadth of experience with both publicly and privately tendered projects in Canada and the U.S., having acted for developers, financial institutions, and principal contractors from the early stages of procurement through closing and beyond, and has represented key participants in some of the most significant publicly procured projects in Canada to date. Please refer to the "Experience" tab for a fulsome description of Natasha's representative work.
In addition to her extensive experience in the bidding and closing phases of procured projects, Natasha is dedicated to supporting her clients during asset management, and in regard to any entries into or exits from projects that are operational. She has advised on secondary market acquisitions and dispositions of equity interests in existing projects, and has also assisted stakeholders in navigating an array of construction and operational stage matters, including pre-litigation disputes, supervening event claims, and project variations.
Natasha has been commended by her clients and peers for her analytical skills, work ethic, and dependability, as well as for her significant contributions to mentoring and developing the next generation of legal professionals, particularly young women. She is keen to continue to help her clients shape the major projects market and to play a role in the development of critical infrastructure in Canada and the U.S.
Natasha Rana is a partner and member of Gowling WLG's Infrastructure and Construction Industry Group, where she advises on major projects spanning a variety of asset classes, including transportation, energy, healthcare, and education. She is recognized for her work by The Legal 500 Canada in the Infrastructure Projects category, by Chambers Canada in the Projects: PPP & Infrastructure category, and by Lexpert in the Infrastructure Law category.
She has a breadth of experience with both publicly and privately tendered projects in Canada and the U.S., having acted for developers, financial institutions, and principal contractors from the early stages of procurement through closing and beyond, and has represented key participants in some of the most significant publicly procured projects in Canada to date. Please refer to the "Experience" tab for a fulsome description of Natasha's representative work.
In addition to her extensive experience in the bidding and closing phases of procured projects, Natasha is dedicated to supporting her clients during asset management, and in regard to any entries into or exits from projects that are operational. She has advised on secondary market acquisitions and dispositions of equity interests in existing projects, and has also assisted stakeholders in navigating an array of construction and operational stage matters, including pre-litigation disputes, supervening event claims, and project variations.
Natasha has been commended by her clients and peers for her analytical skills, work ethic, and dependability, as well as for her significant contributions to mentoring and developing the next generation of legal professionals, particularly young women. She is keen to continue to help her clients shape the major projects market and to play a role in the development of critical infrastructure in Canada and the U.S.
Counsel on Project Bids
Red Deer Regional Hospital – Ambulatory Building Project, Alberta [ongoing] – Acting for the facility maintenance team of a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBFM project for a new building adjacent to the main campus of the Red Deer Regional Hospital that will provide for, among other things, ambulatory clinics, laboratory services, retail areas, and below-grade parking.
Halifax Infirmary Expansion Project, Nova Scotia [ongoing] – Acting for the facility maintenance team of a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBFM project for a new acute care tower that will feature 216 beds, 16 operating rooms, an intensive care unit and a new, larger emergency department.
Calgary Green Line Light Rail Transit Project (Phase One Procurement), Alberta (2022-2023) – Acted for a short-listed bidding consortium on this progressive DBF project for the stations, track and systems for 18 km of light rail transit, 13 stations (including four underground stations and two elevated stations), park and ride facilities, and a new light rail vehicle maintenance and storage facility. This project will include a discrete development phase, during which the detailed design and target price for execution will be developed, and key terms of the project agreement will be negotiated.
New Adult Correctional Facility Project, Newfoundland (Cancelled) - Acted for the operations and maintenance team of a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBFM project for a new corrections facility in St. John's to replace Her Majesty's Penitentiary, which will double the capacity of the existing facility, allowing for more programming, recreation, and better mental health services.
University of Toronto Climate Positive Low Emissions Accelerator Project, Ontario (2022-2023) - Acted for a short-listed bidder on this design-build project for the implementation of energy modernization and extensive energy retrofit measures across the University of Toronto, St. George Campus.
University of Florida - Central Energy Plant Project, Florida (2022) - Acted for the design-build team of a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBFOM project for a new central energy plant, which will provide steam, chilled water, and electricity at the University of Florida's main Gainesville campus, resulting in a ~25% reduction in the University's overall carbon footprint. The project also includes the construction and financing of a new substation and thermal piping distribution loop.
Allen Lands Development Project, Ontario (2022) [Cancelled] - Acted for the operations and maintenance team of a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBFM project for a new, Crown-controlled facility at the Downsview Lands site in Toronto.
Greater Sudbury Event Centre Project, Ontario (2022) [Cancelled] - Acted for the procuring authority on this progressive design-build project for a new 5,800-seat multi-purpose event centre in the City of Greater Sudbury.
Scarborough Subway Extension Project (Stations, Rail and Systems package), Ontario (2022) – Acted for a short-listed bidding consortium on this progressive design-build project for the stations, track and systems for the 7.8km extension of the Scarborough Subway Line from Kennedy Station to McCowan Road in Toronto. This project will include a discrete development phase, during which the detailed design and target price for execution will be developed, and key terms of the project agreement will be negotiated.
Lake Erie Connector Project, Ontario (2022) [Suspended] - Acted for the Canada Infrastructure Bank in connection with its proposed subordinated loan financing of this Project, being a 117 km bi-directional, underwater electricity transmission line running between Haldimand County, Ontario and Erie, Pennsylvania, delivering 1,000 MW of power directly between Ontario and 13 U.S. Mid-Western and Mid-Atlantic states.
Ontario Line Rolling Stock, Systems, Operations and Maintenance (RSSOM) Project, Ontario (2022) – Acted for a member of a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBFOM project for all transit systems and rolling stock required for the Ontario Line Subway Line extension, a 15.6-kilometre stand-alone rapid transit line that will connect the Ontario Science Centre to Exhibition/Ontario Place in Toronto.
Clackamas County Courthouse Project, Oregon (2021-2022) – Acted for the operations and maintenance team of a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBFOM project for a new courthouse in Clackamas County.
GO Rail Expansion - On-Corridor Works Project, Ontario (2020-2021) - Acted for a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBOM project for the largest capital project in the GO Rail Expansion program, which included track, civil infrastructure, signalling, electrification infrastructure and electric vehicles works to facilitate train service, as well as the operations and maintenance of the GO rail network.
GO Rail Expansion - Lakeshore East-Central Corridor Expansion Project, Ontario (2018-2021) - Acted for the successful consortium on this BF project for infrastructure upgrades to accommodate increased capacity on the Lakeshore East line as part of the planned GO Rail Expansion program.
GO Rail Expansion - Lakeshore West Infrastructure Improvements Project, Ontario (2018-2021) - Acted for a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBF project for infrastructure improvements at multiple project locations across the Lakeshore West rail corridor as required for the GO Rail Expansion program.
State Route (SR) 400 Express Lanes Project, Georgia (2020-2021) - Acted for the design-build team of a short-listed proponent on this DBFM project for approximately 16 miles of express lanes along the SR400 as part of a larger construction effort to relieve congestion at the SR400 and I-285 interchange in Atlanta.
Advance Tunnel for the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension Project, Ontario (2020-2021) - Acted for a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBF project for the 6.3km twin-bore tunnel and associated structures required for the new extension of the Eglinton Crosstown LRT Line in Toronto.
Edmonton LRT - Valley Line West Stage 2 Project, Alberta (2020) - Acted for a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBF project for the 27km leg of the Valley Line LRT between Mill Woods in southeast Edmonton and Lewis Farms in west Edmonton.
Broadway Subway Project, British Columbia (2019-2020) - Acted for a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBF project for 5.7km of advanced light rapid transit and six underground stations.
Pattullo Bridge Replacement Project, British Columbia (2019) - Acted for a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBF project for a new long-span four-lane bridge, including pedestrian and cyclist facilities, new connections with the local road, cycling and pedestrian networks, and decommissioning and removal of the existing Pattullo bridge.
First Line of the Bogotá Metro Project, Bogotá, Colombia (2019) - Acted for a member of the operations, maintenance and rehabilitation joint venture of a short-listed consortium on this DBFOM project for the first line of the Bogotá metro system, spanning 24km in length with 15 stations, and moving up to 72,000 passengers per hour in each direction.
Hamilton Light Rail Transit Project, Ontario (2018-2019) [Procurement cancelled] - Acted for a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBFOM project for 14km of new light rail transit traversing the downtown corridor in Hamilton, including new bridges and 17 at-grade stops.
GO Rail Expansion - Davenport Diamond Rail Grade Separation Project, Ontario (2018-2019) - Acted for a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBF project for infrastructure upgrades along the Barrie rail corridor to accommodate the GO Rail Expansion program, including the replacement of an at-grade crossing with a rail-over-rail elevated guideway.
Highway 401 Expansion Project (Credit River to Regional Road 25), Ontario (2018) - Acted for a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBF project for the expansion of Highway 401 along approximately 18km of road.
GO Rail Expansion - Rutherford GO Station Project, Ontario (2017-2018) - Acted for a short-listed bidding consortium on this DBF project for the Rutherford GO Station for the GO Rail Expansion program, including associated parking and rail infrastructure along the Rutherford Road corridor.
LAX Consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility Project, California (2017-2018) - Acted for the design-build team of a short-listed proponent on this DBFOM project for a new consolidated Rent-A-Car Facility at LAX, comprised of a variety of different facilities and offerings, including ready/return facilities, idle storage facilities, and maintenance, fueling, and car washing facilities for the rental car operations.
Central 70 Project, Colorado (2017-2018) - Acted for the design-build team of a short-listed proponent on this DBFOM project for the reconstruction of a 10-mile stretch of the I-70 in Colorado, the removal of a viaduct, the lowering of the interstate, and the placement of a 4-acre park over a portion of the lowered interstate.
Finch West Light Rail Transit Project, Ontario (2017-2018) - Acted for a short-listed proponent on this DBFM project for an 11.2km light rail transit system along the Finch Avenue West corridor, including a maintenance and storage facility for revenue vehicles, and up to 19 stations along the transit corridor.
Capital Regional District: Residuals Treatment Facility, British Columbia (2017) - Acted for the lenders supporting a short-listed proponent on this DBFOM project for a facility to process residual solids from the McLoughlin Point Wastewater Treatment Plant and other facilities within the capital regional district in Victoria.
GO Rail Expansion - Highway 401 Tunnel on the Kitchener Corridor Project, Ontario (2017) - Acted for the lenders supporting a short-listed proponent on this DBF project to construct a new rail tunnel underneath Highway 401 in Kitchener (immediately to the north of the existing tunnel) to accommodate the planned GO Rail Expansion program.
George Massey Tunnel Replacement Project, British Columbia (2016-2017) [Procurement cancelled] - Acted for a short-listed proponent on this DBFOM project along the Highway 99 corridor between Richmond and Delta, including the replacement of the existing tunnel with a new bridge, the widening of the highway, various improvements to transit and HOV infrastructure, the replacement of several interchanges and overpasses, and the decommissioning of the existing tunnel.
City of Hamilton Biosolids Management Project, Ontario (2016-2017) - Acted for a short-listed proponent on this DBFOM project for a 60,000 wet tonne per year biosolids processing facility at the Woodward Avenue Wastewater Treatment Plant in Hamilton.
Southwest Calgary Ring Road Project, Alberta (2016) - Acted for a short-listed proponent on this DBFOM project for the delivery of the southwest leg of the ring road in Calgary.
Edmonton Valley Line LRT Project, Alberta (2015) - Acted for a short-listed proponent on this DBFOM project for the construction, operation and maintenance of the 13.2km southeast leg of the Valley Line LRT, including 11 stations along the transit corridor.
Counsel on Closed Projects
Prospect Lake Clean Water Center Project, Florida (closed 2023) – Acted for the design-build team in connection with this P3 project for a new drinking water treatment plant in Fort Lauderdale that will replace an existing 70-year plant and deliver the majority of fresh water for the city.
Electric Vehicle Battery Manufacturing Facility, Ontario (closed 2023) – Acted for project developer in connection with its successful bid for designing, building, owning, operating and maintaining a facility to deliver chilled water and compressed air to an adjacent electric vehicle battery manufacturing facility.
Burnaby Hospital Redevelopment Project - Phase 1, British Columbia (closed June 2021) - Acted for the procuring authority and Infrastructure BC on this DBF project for a new inpatient/outpatient tower and an expansion to existing infrastructure comprising Burnaby Hospital. The procurement also included a construction management piece for certain renovation and demolition work.
Advance Tunnel for the Scarborough Subway Extension Project, Ontario (closed May 2021) - Acted for the syndicate of lenders supporting the successful proponent on this DBF project for tunneling works for the 7.8km extension of the Scarborough Subway Line from Kennedy Station to McCowan Road in Toronto.
Cascade Power Project, Alberta (closed August 2020) - Acted for an equity sponsor on this project for a 900-megawatt combined cycle natural gas-fired generating facility near Edson (named 2020 Deal of the Year by Lexpert magazine).
Hurontario Light Rail Transit Project, Ontario (closed October 2019) - Acted for the operations and maintenance team of the successful proponent on this $4.6B DBFOM project for a 20km light rail transit system along the Hurontario corridor, connecting the Port Credit GO station in Mississauga to the Gateway Terminal in Brampton.
Gordie Howe International Bridge Project, Ontario/Michigan (closed September 2018) - Acted for the design-build team of the successful proponent on this DBFOM project for a new bridge crossing the Detroit River between Windsor and Detroit, including a new interchange and two points of entry on either side of the Canadian/US border (named 2018 Deal of the Year by Lexpert magazine).
LAX Automated People Mover Project, California (closed August 2018) - Acted for the design-build team of the successful proponent on this DBFOM project for an approximately two-mile long automated people mover system with six stations, connecting public transportation to LAX and transporting commuters throughout LAX to different terminals.
Abbotsford Courthouse, British Columbia (closed May 2018) - Acted for the procuring authorities on this DBFM project for the replacement and expansion of the Abbotsford Provincial Courts, including the construction of 16 new courthouses and a separate 300 stall parkade.
Confederation Line Expansion, Ontario (closed September 2017) - Acted for the existing project entity and its design-build and maintenance and rehabilitation subcontractors on this expansion of the Confederation Line LRT Project in Ottawa.
Niagara Falls Entertainment Centre Project, Ontario (closed August 2017) - Acted for the successful proponent on this DBFOM project for a 5,000-seat entertainment facility in Niagara Falls.
Highway 427 Expansion Project, Ontario (closed March 2017) - Acted for the successful proponent on this DBFM project for the northerly extension of Highway 427 in Ontario by 6.6km, and the widening of the existing Highway 427 to eight lanes, including major modifications to existing infrastructure to accommodate such widening.
New Student Centre at York University, Ontario (closed September 2016) - Acted for the guarantor to the borrower on this project for the construction of a new 126,000 sq. ft. student centre at York University, comprised of student-operated programming space, combined study and studio spaces, club offices, a multi-faith prayer space, a communal lounge, and an event space that can host up to 600 people. The financing for this project leveraged a referendum-approved student levy.
Eglinton Crosstown Light Rail Transit Project, Ontario (closed July 2015) - Acted for the successful proponent on this $8.25B DBFM project for a 19km light rail transit system along Eglinton Avenue in Toronto, including the construction of up to 25 stations along the transit corridor.
New Bridge for the St. Lawrence Corridor Project, Quebec (closed June 2015) - Acted for the successful proponent on this $2.15B DBFM project for the replacement of the existing Champlain Bridge over the St. Lawrence River with a 3.4km new bridge, as well as the development of tolling infrastructure and intelligent transportation systems, the replacement of the Île des Soeurs Bridge, and the development of new roads, interchanges, overpasses and other related infrastructure.
Counsel on Secondary Market Transactions
Various Facilities, Multiple Provinces (2022-2023) – Acted for an energy services provider in connection with its sale of receivables at various facilities in which it is engaged in providing long-term energy conservation measures.
BC Children's & BC Women's Hospital Redevelopment Project, Phase 2, British Columbia (2020) - Acted for a short-listed bidder in its bid to acquire an equity stake in this operational stage project.
Centre Hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal Project, Quebec (2020) - Acted for a short-listed bidder in its bid to acquire an equity stake in this phased DBFM project.
Highway Service Centres Project, Ontario (2018-2019) - Acted for a short-listed bidder in its bid to acquire a hybrid of equity interests in, and assets for, this project to operate and maintain the portfolio of ONRoute Service Centres along the 400-series highways in Ontario.
Billy Bishop Toronto Airport Pedestrian Tunnel Project, Ontario (2015-2016) - Acted for the equity sponsors in the refinancing of the senior debt elements of the financing for this project.
Royal Jubilee Hospital, British Columbia (2015) - Acted for the purchasers in a secondary market buy-out of equity and subordinated debt interests by existing partners in this project.
The Projects and Construction Review, Canada chapter, 2015-2017