The Infrastructure Lab

The Road to Transit Electrification
2022-02-11 | Virtual Roundtable
Across North America transit agencies are updating their fleets with lower emission vehicles. As well as providing environmental benefits that help meet national and local environmental goals, electric vehicles also come with lower operating costs.
Local governments and transit agencies have often been at the forefront of tackling climate change and the shift from diesel buses to electric is a shift many transit agencies are making. Although there are benefits including reduced fuel costs, less vehicle noise, improved air quality, and reduced emissions, as with any transition there are challenges to overcome.
This discussion will draw on the experience of transit agencies from Canada and the U.S. and leading companies in the sector to explore those challenges, and identify the most effective approaches to overcoming them, and lessons learned through the process.

Moving from Cost to Value and Net Zero
2022-02-16 | Virtual Roundtable
Environmental performance and economic value go hand-in-hand when assessed over the lifetime of infrastructure. When projects are planned and procured it is often only the upfront costs for design and construction considered. More innovative designs and building materials may cost more initially, but can reduce lifecycle costs and substantially reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the years a piece of infrastructure is in use. By capturing that lifetime value it becomes easier to fairly compare proposals and deliver long-term cost savings and environmental benefits.
Both the UK and Canada are focused on the role infrastructure will play in economic recovery, and both have also committed to producing net zero emissions by 2050. This roundtable will provide an opportunity to share best practices on how infrastructure investment can deliver better environmental and economic outcomes, and support both countries on the journey to net zero.

Moving from Cost to Value and Net Zero
2022-03-11 | Virtual Roundtable
As towns and cities in the UK and Canada continue to grow, transit will play an increasingly important role in connecting people to jobs, supporting economic growth, reducing environmental impact, and as the anchor for Transit Oriented Development/Communities (TOD/TOC). Transit systems are expanding in both countries with major investments in infrastructure and vehicles, but to encourage more people to ride transit there are many factors to consider. These include: the design of transit stations and integration with surrounding communities; getting the right service levels and timetables; and making travel simple and more convenient for riders.
Both the UK and Canada are focused on the role transit and infrastructure will play in economic recovery, and both have committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050. The transport sector is responsible for around a third of emissions in both Canada and the UK, and congestion costs billions of dollars and pounds each year. Well-functioning transit systems can help to address both these issues and deliver wider economic, social, and environmental benefits. This roundtable will provide an opportunity to discuss how to boost transit ridership, and support both countries on the journey to net zero.

The Road to Transit Electrification
2022-03-22 12:00 - 13:30 (America/Toronto) | Virtual Roundtable
Utilities play a key role in planning for future transportation electrification and supporting private sector investment. The shift to transportation electrification will have major impacts on the daily operations and functions of utility providers and rate regulators, and capacity of existing systems. The way in which customers will consume electricity will change which provides challenges and opportunities for utilities, along with the impacts on the grid and how utilities manage peak demand.
This webinar will look at examining which jurisdictions and utilities have done well in planning for electrification and what can be learned from those areas. The conversation will also investigate what enables transportation electrification planning. Finally, it will delve into how this can be adopted in the Canadian context in different jurisdictions.
Participants:
Moderator: Cara Clairman, President & CEO, Plug’n Drive
Speakers:

Ted Wigdor, VP Policy, Government and Corporate Affairs, Electricity Distributors Association
Daniel Carr, Head of Smart Cities, Alectra Utilities
Raegan Bond, Partner, Dunsky Energy + Climate Advisors
Maria Bocanegra, Commissioner, Illinois Commerce Commission

Learning from Australia’s Infrastructure Audit
2022-06-10 18:00 - 19:30 (America/Toronto) | Microsoft Teams, Invite Only
The Australian Infrastructure Audit was first conducted by the independent body Infrastructure Australia in 2015 and is now updated every five years. As well as looking at future trends, and cross-sectoral challenges, the Audit examined ways to improve industry efficiency, capacity, and capability in the sector across Australia. The Audit is also used as the basis to develop the Australian Infrastructure Plan.
This discussion aims to draw lessons from Australia’s experience to ensure investments in infrastructure deliver better value and better outcomes.

Learning from the UK’s Infrastructure Assessment
2022-06-14 08:30 - 10:00 (America/Toronto) | Virtual Roundtable FIG Members Only
The first National Infrastructure Assessment was published by the National Infrastructure Commission in 2018. Work on the second assessment is already underway and is due to be published in 2023. As well as looking at specific areas such as digital infrastructure, renewable energy, transportation, cities, and water, it also examined how best to choose and design, and fund and finance infrastructure. The Assessment was used as a basis to develop the UK’s first National Infrastructure Strategy.
This discussion aims to draw lessons from the UK’s experience to ensure investments in infrastructure deliver better value and better outcomes.

FIG-Institution of Civil Engineers on Managing Risk in Major Transit Projects
2022-07-06 11:00 - 13:00 (America/Toronto) | Virtual Roundtable FIG Members Only
With a rise in the number of large complex projects worldwide, valuable experiences and lessons from these projects can be applied to better tackle project risk. Risk management is a shared responsibility for the public and private sectors. It must be embedded as a focus from early-stage planning to delivery and operations to prevent these risks from materializing and impacting projects. Policymakers have a role to play in putting in place robust frameworks for risk management.
Canada is currently seeing unprecedented investments in transit across the country. Transit projects have a higher risk profile due to their size, the areas they impact, and the fact they often run through more heavily populated areas. A more robust approach to risk is needed to ensure these projects deliver on time, budget, and promise.
The UK has recent experience delivering the largest transit project in Europe through Crossrail and is starting the development of HS2. This event will bring together representatives from industry and government from the two countries to discuss how to identify and put in place tangible steps, including policy action, to address and mitigate project risk at all stages – from planning to procurement, contracting, delivery, and handover.
This discussion will encourage attendees to share their own experiences, lessons and ways to embed best practice in managing risk when working on major transit projects.

Future of Infrastructure Group – Ottawa Reception
2022-10-19 17:30 - 19:00 UTC | Colliers Project Leaders, 150 Isabella St, Suite 700, Ottawa, Ontario, Canada
On October 19 to mark the Future of Infrastructure Group’s first delegation visit to Ottawa, the group will be hosting a reception in Ottawa. Please join the members to discuss all things infrastructure. Thank you to Colliers Project Leaders for kindly hosting this event.

Canada-UK Roundtable: Dispute Resolution and Conflict Avoidance
2023-01-20 11:00 - 12:30 (America/New_York) | Virtual Roundtable
Canada invested $90 billion on infrastructure in 2021, over two thirds of that came from the public sector. With the scale, geographic spread, and mix of investments there will inevitably be issues arising that can lead to claims and disputes that can ultimately end up in court.
Based on research by HKA covering almost 100 Canadian projects, claims bumped up project costs by an average of 22 per cent, and extended timeframes by 9.5 months. KPMG also estimated claims on urban transit projects could amount to between 10-20% of the contract value.
This roundtable provides an overview of how the UK introduced a new process of conflict avoidance spearheaded by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Transport for London. The Conflict Avoidance Process has helped slash the number of issues reaching dispute, cut the direct cost of resolving issues, and reduced contract cost increases markedly.
This session will explore the success of the Conflict Avoidance Process at Transport for London, its use across the infrastructure sector in the UK, its evolution into an industry-wide pledge, and its incorporation within UK government policy.
Participants:
Co-Chairs:

Barbara Capes, Assistant General Counsel, Kiewit
Paul Hughes, Senior Director Cost Consulting and Project Management, Altus

Panelists:

Fergus Harradence, Deputy Director, Infrastructure and Construction, UK Department for Business, Energy and Industry Strategy
Susan Barrett, Head of Renewals and Renovations, UK Houses of Parliament
Martin Burns, Head of ADR Research and Development, RICS
John Fletcher, Director Alternative Dispute Resolution, RICS

Free Webinar ULI Toronto: 15-minute Communities for the Next 100 Years: Seizing the Opportunity to Create Transit-Oriented Community Legacies
2023-04-05 12:00 - 13:00 UTC | Ontario
The Ontario government is taking a Transit-Oriented Communities (TOC) approach as it invests $62 billion in transit projects across the Greater Golden Horseshoe – leveraging public dollars to create walkable neighbourhoods with most amenities a short distance from transit stations while adding accessible and affordable housing, connections between residents and jobs and meeting climate goals – all amidst burgeoning population growth.
With jurisdictions across the world watching as we apply this approach to 10+ communities across the region, how can these TOCs create a legacy for 100 years from now? How can we ensure the decisions made now foster community-level transformation and address the social, health, economic, and environmental outcomes we need now and in the future?

Join ULI Toronto, the Future of Infrastructure Group and leaders in infrastructure and development as they draw from their experience and share emerging best practices from a real time TOC in progress – the redevelopment of the Shoppers World Mall in Brampton, Ontario instigated by the Hurontario LRT coming north from Mississauga.
Year 2 report supported by the Urban Land Institute Curtis Infrastructure Grant.

Overview:
John Allen, VP and National Infrastructure Practice Lead, Global Public Affairs
Moderator:

Matti Siemiatycki, Director, Infrastructure Institute, School of Cities, University of Toronto
Panelists:
Yvonne Yeung, CEO, SDG Strategies, ULI Curtis Infrastructure Fellow

Samantha Bajc, Manager, Development, RioCan REIT
Rowan Mills, Senior Vice President, National Transit Lead
Dalia Bahy, Acting Manager of Urban Design, City of Brampton

Canadian Infrastructure Market Cost Outlook
2023-05-16 17:00 - 19:30 (America/New_York) | Arup, 121 Bloor Street East, Suite 900, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3M5, Canada
The last few years have massive price rises across materials and labour in the infrastructure sector driving up project costs and putting some projects at risk. Although some prices of key materials have stabilized the demand for labour remains high, with certain skills in particular demand. Price volatility, an ambitious pipeline, increased investment in the United States, and busy residential and commercial construction sector are all contributing to unpredictable market.

Joint Event - Buy Clean Industry Alliance and Future of Infrastructure Group
2023-10-18 09:00 - 16:30 UTC | Toronto
With unprecedented levels of investment in infrastructure across Canada and a federal commitment to reach net zero emissions by 2050, the infrastructure sector is facing a transformative period. Governments at the federal and subnational levels are implementing Buy Clean policies to mandate lower-carbon construction. Adopting these standards within project budgets and timelines will require the infrastructure supply chain to adapt.
To turn this challenge into an opportunity, the Buy Clean Industry Alliance and the Future of Infrastructure Group have come together to host a workshop with a select group of industry leaders and experts from across the sector. The aim is to map out a workable path to implementing Buy Clean requirements and adopting low-carbon building materials and practices.
This event is by invite only.

Launch of Future of Infrastructure Group Report - Reducing Risk in Transit Projects
2024-02-29 07:30 - 09:30 UTC | Lennox Hall (old Toronto Board of Trade venue), First Canadian Place, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 4A6, Canada
Thursday February 29, 2024
Time: 7:30-9:30 am
Location: Lennox Hall (old Toronto Board of Trade venue), First Canadian Place, Toronto, ON M5H 4A6
Joint event: Future of Infrastructure Group and Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships
Canada is investing record amounts into transit projects with most major cities across the country having at least one rail line in planning or construction. Transit projects are large and complex with many uncertainties and unknowns, and large networks of interrelated responsibilities all relying on each other to be successful. This adds up to significant project risk. Unclear, unmanaged, or misallocated risk can add significant costs and delay project completion.
As risks are realized and add costs and delays to projects, it reduces the capacity to build future infrastructure by eroding government budgets and reducing political and public appetite to build major projects in future. By focusing on anticipating and proactively addressing risks it helps ensure more projects are delivered on time and on budget. There are many examples of how projects across Canada are using different processes and tools to understand and tackle risk at every stage. This event hosted in partnership with the Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships will launch a new report from the Future of Infrastructure Group on Reducing Risk in Transit Projects, that includes a series of recommendations based on these experiences to support better project outcomes

Key Themes

Planning around the risks that are common across most projects
Building the right environment before the project starts
Getting a good start to stop issues snowballing
Working together to identify and solve issues in a timely way
Focusing on the end goal and integrating all project elements

Speakers

Corina Moore, Executive Vice President, Transportation & Infrastructure, WSP
Chris Phillips, Senior Vice President, Project Delivery (LRTs), Infrastructure Ontario
Tim Shepherd, Alliance Director, Union Statement Enhancement Project, Kiewit

Moderated by Lisa Mitchell, President and CEO, Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships.
Register Here

BuyClean Implementation Paper Launch Webinar
2024-03-06 11:00 - 12:15 UTC | Ontario
We are thrilled to invite you to the webinar launch of our new report, Building Success: Implementing Effective Buy Clean Policies, taking place on March 6th at 11:00am ET.
This landmark report, based on feedback from the Buy Clean Workshop in October 2023, provides practical guidance and policy recommendations for governments looking to implement successful Buy Clean policies.
Join us for an insightful fireside chat with the President of the Treasury Board, Minister Anita Anand, where she will discuss the importance of Buy Clean policies in driving sustainable procurement and greening our economy. The fireside chat will be followed by a presentation of the report and an expert panel.
The workshop and report launch are hosted by the Buy Clean Industry Alliance, a coalition of industry associations, think tanks, labour and environmental groups with a common goal of advocating for a national Buy Clean strategy, and the Future of Infrastructure Group, which brings together leading infrastructure companies.
Featured Speaker:
Hon. Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board of Canada
Panelists:
Ollie Sheldrick, Clean Energy Canada
Jolene MacLaughlin, Ellis Don
Matt Humphries, Arup
Sarah Petrevan, Cement Association
Rob Cooney, Treasury Board of Canada Secretariat

Conflict Avoidance Process Webinar
2024-05-15 11:00 - 12:00 UTC | Virtual Roundtable
The financial cost of disputes in the construction industry is measured in billions of dollars. Conflict can cause immeasurable harm to business relationships and brand reputations. An increasing number of major infrastructure bodies are driving a sea-change and embedding conflict avoidance mechanisms to avoid and manage conflicts. Learn more about this fresh approach by joining Martin Burns and Sue Barrett speak about their experiences with using the RICS Conflict Avoidance Process on Transport for London projects.
SPEAKERS:

Moderator: Paul Hughes, Senior Director, Cost & Project Management, Altus Group
Martin Burns, Head of ADR Research and Development, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors
Sue Barrett, Head of Contracts and Procurement, Houses of Parliament Renewal and Restoration

Virtual Ticket Price:
The ticket is Complimentary to all guests.

Vancouver Launch of Future of Infrastructure Group Report – Reducing Risk in Transit Projects
2024-06-06 16:00 - 19:00 UTC | Terminal City Club, 837 West Hastings St., Terminal City Club, 837 West Hastings St., Vancouver, British Columbia, V6C 1B6, Canada
BCCR’s Annual General Meeting will be held on June 6th at the Terminal City Club. It will be followed by the Future of Infrastructure Group presentation, panel discussion, and informal networking.
The Reducing Risk in Transit Projects report by the Future of Infrastructure Group includes a series of recommendations based on experiences from projects across Canada using different processes and tools to understand and tackle risk at every stage to support better project outcomes.
The panel discussion will focus on how risk is tackled on major transit projects across Canada and beyond. Canada is investing record amounts into transit projects, with most major cities nationwide having at least one rail line in planning or construction. Transit projects are large and complex, with many uncertainties and unknowns and large networks of interrelated responsibilities, all relying on each other to be successful. This adds up to significant project risk. Unclear, unmanaged, or misallocated risk can add considerable costs and delay project completion.
Presenter: John Allen – Executive Director of the Future of Infrastructure Group.
Panelists:

Corina Moore – Executive Vice President of Transportation & Infrastructure at WSP.
James Harvey – General Counsel and VP of infrastructure at Transportation Investment Corporation.
Paul Hughes – Senior Director of Cost and Project Management at Altus.
Chris Phillips – Senior Vice President Project Delivery and Project Director for Eglinton Crosstown West Extension at Infrastructure Ontario.

Moderator: Darren Sokoloski – Vice President Advisory at AECOM.

TRACCS Rail Day 2024: Risk in Transit Projects Panel
2024-06-18 10:30 - 11:00 UTC | International Centre, 6900 Airport Rd, Mississauga, Ontario, L4V 1E8, Canada
The Future of Infrastructure Group will be at the 2024 TRACCS Rail Day. The group is looking forward to joining hundreds of rail professionals to share its latest report on risk in transit projects.
Presenter: John Allen, Executive Director, Future of Infrastructure Group (Global Public Affairs)
Moderator: Kirsten Watson, Co-Chair, Future of Infrastructure Group (Aecom)
Panel:

Corina Moore, Executive Vice President, Transportation & Infrastructure, WSP
Chris Phillips, Senior Vice President, Project Delivery (LRTs), Infrastructure Ontario
Tim Shepherd, Alliance Director, Union Station Enhancement Project, Kiewit

Transforming Infrastructure Performance Summit Toronto 2024
2024-10-03 08:00 - 16:30 (America/Toronto) | IBM Office, 16 York Street, Toronto, Canada
As Canada embarks on a major infrastructure investment across the country, the need for innovation and reform in project delivery has never been more critical. Inspired by the U.K.’s Transforming Infrastructure Performance (TIP): Roadmap to 2030, the TIP Toronto Summit will explore how Canada can overcome its unique challenges by integrating cutting-edge digital technologies and methods.
From refining the P3 model to achieving net-zero carbon goals, Canada’s infrastructure sector faces significant hurdles. With capacity constraints and mounting government financial pressures, there’s an urgent need to boost productivity and efficiency across all stages of infrastructure from planning, design, manufacturing, construction, and operation.
Central to this transformation will be stronger leadership and the adoption of data-driven solutions like digital twins. These innovations will be pivotal in enhancing efficiency, resilience, and sustainability.
The TIP Toronto Summit will assess Canada’s digital readiness, spotlighting opportunities to make these technologies standard practice. By accelerating their adoption, we can not only improve project delivery, but also generate substantial social and economic benefits for all Canadians.
Join leading experts from government, industry, and academia as we delve into how Canada can harness digital technology to meet its infrastructure challenges now and into the future.

Confirmed Speakers

The Hon. Kinga Surma, Ontario Minister for Infrastructure
Councillor Jennifer McKelvie, Deputy Mayor, City of Toronto
Baxter Hunt, U.S. Consul General in Toronto
Lisa Mitchell, CEO, Canadian Council for Public Private Partnerships
Dave Morley, Co-chair Future of Infrastructure Group and Vice President, National Strategy and Government Relations with Pomerleau
Kirsten Watson, Co-chair Future of Infrastructure Group and Vice President of Government Relations/Transit Market Sector Leader at AECOM
Michael Lindsay, President and CEO Infrastructure Ontario
And more…

Unlocking Digital Twins in Canadian Infrastructure
2025-03-27 08:30 - 17:00 UTC | Arup, 121 Bloor Street East, Suite 900, Toronto, Ontario, M4W 3M5, Canada
The Future of Infrastructure Group will be hosting a workshop on enabling greater use of digital twins to benefit infrastructure projects in Canada. This session is to produce recommendations from industry to address any barriers to adoption building on best practices and successes from specific projects in Canada and around the world.
Objectives:

Identify barriers to adoption of digital twins in Canada
Grow broad understanding and provide recommendations to support government adoption of digital twins across the project lifecycle
Spotlight best practices around successful use of digital tools in project planning, delivery, and operations

The session will bring together a mixed group from industry and government in a workshop format for the day.
Arup have kindly offered to host the session at their Toronto office.
This event is invite only.

Digital Twin Paper Launch - Toronto
2026-01-26 17:00 - 19:00 UTC | Ontario
Please join us for the launch of our new Digital Twin report in Toronto on January 26. We are fortunate to be joined by the Honorable Todd McCarthy, Ontario’s Acting Minister of Infrastructure who will provide remarks on the province’s ambitious infrastructure investments and efforts to drive innovation in the sector.
We will then have a presentation of the report and a panel discussion, and wrap up with a reception. Our panelists include:

Amar Singh, from Infrastructure Ontario
Lindsay English, from Arup
Yuri Bartzis, from Pomerleau
Dwayne Torrey, from the Canadian Standards Association
John Allen, from the Future of Infrastructure Group/Global Public Affairs

Details:
Date: Monday, January 26th
Time: 5:00pm-7:00pm (doors open 4:30pm)
Location: Arup, 121 Bloor St E Suite 900, Toronto

Thank you to Arup for kindly hosting and chairing this initiative.

FIG Ottawa Reception
2026-03-23 17:00 - 20:00 UTC | Beyond the Pale, 21 George Street, Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 8W5, Canada
Join us for a networking reception with FIG members and the Ottawa infrastructure community.
This reception is kindly sponsored by ARUP.
