Philippe Bourassa, Montréal

About Philippe

Philippe has extensive domestic and international experience advising corporations and financial institutions on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, joint ventures and commercial law matters. He has acted as counsel to numerous investors on structuring and developing their investments, including in the context of regulated industries.

As part of his M&A and private equity practice, Philippe is routinely involved in fund investments and in acting for bidders and sellers in both auction and conventional purchase and sale transactions. Philippe has experience in a wide range of industries, including financial services, food and beverage, mining, real estate and retail/consumer products. Philippe's expertise also includes a wide-ranging exposure to numerous negotiations, agreements and strategic problem-solving in the power industry.

Philippe is fluent in French and English.

Select Experience

Philippe's recent experience includes advising:

Sagard Holdings and Fairfax Financial on their US$575-million acquisition of the business of Performance Sports Group Ltd.
H2O Power LP to complete a C$400-million private placement to obtain credit facilities
Desjardins Group on the sale of its insurance company, Western Financial Group, to Assurance Economical
Labatt Brewing Company Limited on its acquisition of the brewing operations of Microbrasserie Archibald and the conclusion of long-term agreements in connection with the restaurants operated under the Archibald banner
One of Canada's largest pension fund managers in connection with many of its foreign investments in various sectors of interest
Financial institutions and pension fund managers in regards to their acquisition of an undivided interest in the Mont-Rothery wind project and related financing
Financial institutions and pension fund managers in connection with their acquisition of an undivided interest in the Rivière-du-Moulin wind project, Canada's largest wind farm, including consulting local communities (municipalities and First Nation), and the related senior and subordinated financing
A major U.S. company on its proposed acquisition of a company operating in Canada and India, including coordinating legal services and the anti-corruption review in India
Financial institutions in regards to their acquisition of a controlling interest in the Grand Renewable solar project (100 MW) in Ontario, one of the two largest solar farms in Canada
Financial institutions in connection with their acquisition of a significant interest in the Kingston solar project (100 MW) in Ontario, one of the two largest solar farms in Canada
Financial institutions and pension funds in connection with the constitution of various national and foreign investment funds for investments of over C$1.5-billion
A market leader in the development of renewable resources projects in its proposed acquisition of a hydroelectric facility
The shareholders of a corporation in the aeronautic industry on the sale of their business to Hutchinson S.A., a subsidiary of Total S.A.
A consortium selected in the course of an auction in connection with its purchase of eight hydroelectric facilities from Resolute Forest Products and Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec, valued at C$640-million, involving the negotiation of a long-term power purchase agreement and the refinancing of the debt facility of the target
Dalkia, a subsidiary of Veolia, in connection with the development of two large biomass electricity projects in British Columbia, including in connection with the negotiation of a joint development agreement, EPC contracts, O&M contracts and long term fuel supply agreements
The preferred bidder in connection with a C$2.1-billion P3 project for the design, construction, financing and operation of the Montreal University Hospital Centre (CHUM)
A foreign corporation in connection with a C$1.3-billion P3 project for the design, construction, financing and operation of the McGill University Health Centre (MUHC)
The consortium selected for the design, construction, financing and operation of the CHUM Research Centre, a C$470-million project
A major supplier of electricity on its proposed development of a large combined cycle gas turbine plant
The worldwide leader in software and Internet services and solutions on its acquisition of a Quebec-based technology corporation

Awards & Recognition

Philippe has been recognized as a leading lawyer in the following publications:

Chambers Canada: Canada's Leading Lawyers for Business 2025 (Corporate/Commercial – Quebec)
The Best Lawyers in Canada 2025 (Corporate Law, Energy Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law, Public Finance Law)
Lexpert Special Edition: Energy and Mining 2024
Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure 2024
Lexpert Special Edition: Finance and M&A 2024
The Canadian Legal Lexpert Directory 2024 (Corporate Commercial Law, Corporate Finance & Securities, Energy (Electricity), Infrastructure Law, Private Equity, Mergers & Acquisitions)
Thomson Reuters Stand-out Lawyers 2024 – Independently Rated Lawyers (As nominated by senior in-house counsel)
The 2024 Lexpert/American Lawyer Guide to the Leading 500 Lawyers in Canada (Corporate Commercial Law, Mergers & Acquisitions)
Best Lawyers: "Lawyer of the Year" 2024 (Energy Law, Montréal)
Lexpert Special Edition: Mining 2023
The 2016 Lexpert Guide to the Leading US/Canada Cross-Border Corporate Lawyers in Canada (Corporate Finance & Securities)
Lexpert magazine, November 2013 (Lexpert Rising Stars: Leading Lawyers Under 40)
Client Choice Award 2013, International Law Office (M&A category for the province of Quebec)