2026 National Awards Nominees for Public-Private Partnerships Announced

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The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships has announced the nominees for the 2026 National Awards for Innovation & Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships, showcasing significant projects across various categories.

TORONTO – The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) has unveiled the nine nominees for the prestigious 2026 National Awards for Innovation & Excellence in Public-Private Partnerships. The nominees have been divided into three distinct categories: transaction, design and construction, and service delivery, reflecting the entire lifecycle of public-private partnership agreements, as stated in a release. The winners will be revealed during Canada’s Infrastructure Conference 2026, scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, in downtown Toronto.
In the Transaction Category, the New Ontario Science Centre has been nominated. This ambitious project, estimated to cost approximately $1.04 billion, aims to revitalize Toronto’s waterfront. It marks a significant milestone as Infrastructure Ontario’s first project utilizing a design-build-finance-maintain semi-wide equity model, which integrates construction-stage financing with considerable private equity contributions for its 30-year operational and maintenance phase. Key partners involved in this project include Infrastructure Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Tourism, Culture and Gaming, and Ontario Science Partners, which comprises John Laing Limited, Sacyr Infrastructure Canada Inc., and Amico Major Projects Inc.
Another notable nominee in this category is the Peter Gilgan Mississauga Hospital and Shah Family Hospital for Women and Children. This project, which stands as the largest hospital redevelopment initiative in Canada, is valued at $13.9 billion and will replace the existing Mississauga Hospital with a new 22-storey facility featuring over 950 beds. It will also significantly expand the emergency department and establish Ontario’s first dedicated hospital for women and children. The development phase allowed the project team to progressively mitigate risks associated with the scope, site conditions, and delivery plan, ultimately leading to a highly efficient $2.38 billion private financing package. Partners for this project include Infrastructure Ontario, Trillium Health Partners, and ED+PCL Healthcare Partners, which consists of EllisDon Corp., PCL Constructors Canada Inc., Fengate Funds, and others.
In a groundbreaking move, the Williams Treaties First Nations (WTFN) Investment Holdings LP is committing $700 million to Ontario Power Generation’s Darlington New Nuclear Project. This project is projected to yield approximately 1,200 MW of electricity and is bolstered by federal and provincial loan guarantees, allowing for competitively priced private-sector financing. Upon completion of all four small modular reactors (SMRs), WTFN Holdings will have the choice to convert its investment into a minority equity stake. Key partners include WTFN Holdings, Canadian Indigenous Loan Guarantee Corp., Building Ontario Fund, and Ontario Power Generation.
Moving to the Design and Construction Category, the Gordie Howe International Bridge has been nominated. Recognized as the longest cable-stayed bridge in North America and the first new major trade connection between the U.S. and Canada in four decades, it represents a significant engineering achievement. The bridge, which opened in July 2026, is part of a $6.4 billion project encompassing the construction of the bridge itself, Canadian and U.S. ports of entry, and a major highway interchange, along with 30 years of operational, maintenance, and rehabilitation responsibilities. The project is a collaborative effort between the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority and Bridging North America General Partnership, which includes major firms such as FlatironDragados, Fluor, and Aecon.
Another nominee is the Michael Garron Hospital – Phase 1 New Patient Care Tower Project, which is expected to reach substantial completion in 2024. This project involves the construction of a new patient care tower, a four-storey podium, and a parking garage, while also renewing clinical and support areas alongside digital innovations. The project team has successfully coordinated 30 sequential renovation phases without disrupting hospital operations, integrating new infrastructure into a campus with buildings that date back a century. Key partners include Infrastructure Ontario, Michael Garron Hospital, and EllisDon Infrastructure MGH Inc.
The QEW/Credit River Improvement Project, valued at $314 million, is another nominee. This initiative modernized a vital 2.6-kilometre stretch of one of Ontario’s busiest highways, expanding the QEW from six to eight lanes and constructing a new 250-metre twin bridge over the Credit River while preserving a significant heritage landmark. An innovative construction method known as incremental launching was employed for the new twin bridge, utilizing constant-depth steel box girders advanced across the river from one abutment, which eliminated the need for cranes and temporary towers in sensitive environments. Partners in this project include Infrastructure Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of Transportation, and EDCO.
Lastly, the nominees in the Service Delivery Category include the Toronto South Detention Centre, a maximum-security correctional facility that has been operational since 2014. This facility operates under a public-private partnership model that encompasses both construction and a 30-year maintenance period, ensuring consistent operational performance within a high-security environment. Partners involved are Infrastructure Ontario, the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General, and Integrated Team Solutions.
Western Memorial Regional Hospital, which opened in 2023, is also nominated. This facility provides acute care for over 130,000 residents across western Newfoundland and has completed over 2,000 planned maintenance activities within the past year alone. It is notable for housing North America’s largest geothermal field, contributing to significant energy and water savings. Key partners are the Newfoundland and Labrador Ministry of Transportation and Infrastructure, Western Regional Health Authority, and the Corner Brook Health Partnership.
Lastly, the William Osler Health System’s Brampton Civic Hospital, which opened in 2007, is recognized for its service continuity while adapting to increasing patient volumes. This facility has implemented innovative technologies, including an AI-powered fault detection system and a digital asset tagging system to enhance operational efficiency. Partners include the William Osler Health System and the Healthcare Infrastructure Company of Canada.

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