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Douglas (Doug) R. Sanders

Partner

Vancouver
DSanders@blg.com
604.640.4128

Expertise

Krista Peters

Practice Assistant

Vancouver
kpeters@blg.com
604.687.1415
604.687.5744

As both a lawyer and an engineer, Doug has significant expertise in large infrastructure projects, working on major projects across Canada, and around the world.

He practises in the areas of:

  • public-private partnerships
  • construction contracts (negotiation, drafting, and review)
  • shipbuilding contracts
  • power plant and industrial EPC contracts
  • contracts to design or construct any asset

Doug is also a frequent author and speaker for various organizations and publications on these areas of law.

He is the national leader of our Public-Private Projects group.

Douglas provides legal services through a Law Corporation.

Testimonials

Lexology Client Choice Awards, 2016

"His knowledge and understanding of the field and strong ability to negotiate effectively place him at the forefront of his industry."

Lexology Client Choice Awards, 2016

"Mr Sanders frequently brings creative and appropriate solutions to some of our most complex problems and does not shy away from difficult issues."

Lexology Client Choice Awards, 2016

"What sets him apart is the extent to which he is a true advocate for his client; he prioritises the issues and challenges that matter and - as a matter of professional practice - shows exemplary leadership in integrity, character and fairness."

Lexology Client Choice Awards, 2016

"Mr Sanders is a leading expert in the procurement law field; he brings a practical, business-focused perspective."

Experience

  • BC Hydro/Site C: Counsel to BC Hydro on this significant hydroelectric project.
  • BC Hydro/John Hart: Counsel for BC Hydro on this PPP hydroelectric project.
  • REM: Acting for the builder on this significant transit project in Montreal.
  • Ridley Terminals: Acting for RTI with respect to a number of commercial matters.
  • Ontario Line: Acting for a bidding team member for this Ontario transit project.
  • RER3: Acting for a bidding team member for this Ontario transit project.
  • Edmonton Valley Line: Acted for the city on this transit project.
  • Nanaimo Correctional Centre: Acted for the Province of BC on the design-build prison project.
  • Queen Elizabeth Hospital: Acted for the Province of Nova Scotia on its hospital projects.
  • Alberta Schools 5: Acting for a bidder on this schools project.
  • Representative clients include Flatiron, Grosvenor, Parsons, Bilfinger, Acciona, Turner, Clark, Graham, Bird, EPCOR, and a number of government agencies.
  • New Bridge over St. Lawrence Corridor (Champlain Bridge) ($2.4 billion) – Lead counsel for the design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Stanton Territorial Hospital Project ($300 million) – Lead counsel for the design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Okanagan Correctional Centre ($190 million) – Lead counsel for the Province of BC (closed).
  • Surrey Pretrial Services Centre Expansion ($90 million) – Lead counsel for the Province of BC (closed).
  • Evergreen Line – Co-lead counsel for design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Alberta Schools 3 – Co-lead counsel for design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Alberta Schools 2 ($250 million) – Lead counsel for design-build joint venture (closed).
  • RCMP – Lead counsel for member of design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Fort St. John Hospital ($300 million) – Lead counsel for design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Golden Ears Bridge Bridge and Highway ($1.1 billion) – Lead counsel for the design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Northwest Anthony Henday Bridge and Highway – ($1.4 billion) Lead counsel for design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Alberta Schools ($500 million) – Lead counsel for design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Surrey Outpatient Facility ($200 million) – Lead counsel for member of design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Royal Jubilee Hospital Patient Care Centre ($350 million) – Lead counsel for lead member of design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Water/Wastewater Treatment plants – Lead counsel for the concessionaire in respect of water treatment projects for Port Hardy, Lytton, and Sooke (closed).
  • Sea-to-Sky Highway Bridge and Highway ($600 million) – BLG acted for UK and French lenders to the concessionaire. Primary responsibility for design-build and operations contracts (closed).
  • E18 Grimstad – Kristiansand (Norway) Bridge and Highway ($500 million) – Lead counsel for the design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Kicking Horse Canyon Bridge and Highway ($130 million) – Lead counsel for the design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Calgary Ring Road Bridge and Highway ($650 million) – Lead counsel for the design-build joint venture (closed).
  • Britannia Water Treatment plant ($27 million) – Lead counsel for the concessionaire (closed).
  • BART Extension (San Francisco) – Lead counsel for US design-build joint venture, part of preferred proponent (process terminated).
  • Port Mann Bridge and Highway ($2.46 billion) – Lead counsel for design-build joint venture (closed).
  • ACCW Prison – Lead counsel for government owner (closed).
  • HWY 97 and Campbell Road Interchange – Lead counsel for First Nation (closed).
  • “The Rise,” a mixed-use commercial/residential building – Lead counsel for private owner (closed).

Beyond Our Walls

Community Involvement

  • Fellow, Canadian College of Construction Lawyers
  • Fellow, Engineers Canada (nominated by both BC and Saskatchewan)
  • Member, Law Society of British Columbia
  • Member, Law Society of Saskatchewan
  • Member, Law Society of Yukon (non-practising)
  • Member, Association of Professional Engineers of BC and Saskatchewan
  • Member, Construction Specifications Canada

Awards & Recognition

  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2010) of The Best Lawyers in Canada® (Construction Law, Project Finance Law, Public Procurement Law), and recognized as "Vancouver Project Finance Law Lawyer of the Year" in 2019 and 2018.
  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2023) of Lexology Index (formerly Who's Who Legal: Canada) (Government Contracts & Construction).
  • Recognized in the 2025 edition of Lexology Index: Projects & Procurement (formerly Who's Who Legal: Canada).
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition of Lexpert Special Edition: Energy and Mining.
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition of The Legal 500 (Infrastructure Projects).
  • Recognized in the 2025 edition (and since 2016) editions of Chambers Canada – Canada's Leading Lawyers for Business (Projects: PPP & Infrastructure).
  • Recognized in the 2024 edition (and since 2013) of Chambers Global – The World’s Leading Lawyers for Business (Projects: PPP & Infrastructure).
  • Recognized in the 2024 (and since 2013) edition of The Canadian Legal Lexpert® Directory (Construction Law; Infrastructure Law). Also recognized in 2019 for Energy (Electricity).
  • Recognized as a leading infrastructure lawyer in the 2024 edition (and since 2014) of the Lexpert Special Edition: Infrastructure.
  • Recognized in the 2022 edition (and since 2020) of IFLR1000 (Project Development; Project Finance)
  • Recognized in the 2023 edition (and since 2022) of Lexpert Special Edition: Energy
  • Recognized in the 2020 edition of the Doyles Guide - Leading Construction, Engineering & Infrastructure Lawyers – British Columbia
  • Recognized by the 2016 Client Choice Awards as the exclusive winner in the Projects & Procurement category in British Columbia.
  • Recognized as a 2018 BTI Client Service All-Star.
  • Recognized as a 2017 Acritas Star.
  • Recognized by the 2016 Client Choice Awards as the exclusive winner in the Projects & Procurement category in British Columbia.

Bar Admission & Education

  • Yukon Territory, 2015
  • British Columbia, 1999
  • Saskatchewan, 1990
  • Ontario, 2023
  • LLB, University of Saskatchewan, 1989
  • B.Sc. in Civil Engineering, 1986