Ryan R.
Chalmers

Partner
Call to Bar:

Admitted to the Ontario Bar: 2017
Admitted to the British Columbia Bar: 2007

Ryan Chalmers

Ryan has advised on numerous infrastructure projects across Canada, including transportation, accommodation and energy mandates. Having previously provided general counsel at a leading engineering services company, he brings a unique perspective to his infrastructure and construction law practice. Ryan is skilled at drafting and negotiating contracts that help his clients achieve their overall business objectives.

As Co-Leader of the firm's Construction and Projects & Infrastructure Groups and a member of the Corporate Group, Ryan advises on, drafts and negotiates concession, design-build, operation, maintenance and rehabilitation agreements as part of major infrastructure projects across Canada. He also regularly provides strategic advice to clients on services agreements for various engineering-related matters.

Prior to joining Aird & Berlis, Ryan co-led the Construction, Infrastructure, P3 and Projects practice groups at the Vancouver office of a major international law firm. In this role, Ryan led a team focused on structuring, procuring and negotiating significant infrastructure and construction projects for both government owners and private project proponents.

Ryan has also served as in-house legal counsel to SNC-Lavalin (now known as AtkinsRéalis), one of the world’s leading engineering, procurement and construction companies, practising in the areas of commercial, infrastructure and construction law. Ryan represented the Transportation (Airports, Ports & Marine, Roads, Bridges, and Rail), Environment and Power (Hydro and Thermal) Divisions in connection with numerous construction projects across Canada. He advised senior management on contractual risk allocation, assisted with risk management strategies and drafted and negotiated various agreements for both construction and professional services.

Professional Activities

  • Chief Judge, Association of Consulting Engineering Companies, British Columbia
  • Past Chair (2015-2016), Co-Chair (2013-2015), Vice-Chair (2012-2013), Construction Law Section, Canadian Bar Association, BC Branch

Memberships

  • Vancouver Bar Association
  • Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships

Panellist, "Claims Avoidance & Dispute Resolution," British Columbia Construction Roundtable, Vancouver, April 18, 2024.

Co-presenter, "Lessons Learned from P3 Projects in Practice," Canadian Healthcare Infrastructure East, The Canadian Institute Conference, Toronto, October 29, 2019.

Co-presenter, "Lessons Learned from P3 Projects in Practice," Managing Risk in Construction Contracts & Projects, The Canadian Institute Conference, Toronto, February 6, 2019.

Presenter, "Workshop: Contract Optimization - Aligning Your Project Needs to Derive Best Results," Canadian Healthcare Infrastructure West, The Canadian Institute Conference, Vancouver, February 26, 2018.

Presenter, "Negotiating Clear and Precise Contracts," Managing Risk in Construction Contracts & Projects, The Canadian Institute Conference, Toronto, February 6, 2018.

Co-presenter, "Preventative Thinking and Early Intervention - Managing Your Project Risk Before the Contract is Signed," Managing Risk in Construction Contracts & Projects, The Canadian Institute Conference, Edmonton, January 30, 2018.

Chair (Day One), "Managing Risk in Construction Contracts & Projects," The Canadian Institute Conference, Edmonton, January 30, 2018.

Presenter, "Tendering Risks: Staying out of Trouble," Tendering, CLEBC Seminar, Vancouver, October 25, 2017.

Presenter, "CFTA/CETA: What you need to know," Presentation to a confidential health authority, Vancouver, August 16, 2017.

Co-presenter with Edward Harrison, "Construction and Operations of Canadian Mines: Key Issues and Considerations," Mining Seminar, Vancouver, June 27, 2017.

Co-presenter with John Haythorne, "Procurement: Compliance with AIT, NWPTA, TILMA, NAFTA, TPP, CETA and the Statutes," Local Government 2017: Current Issues and Upcoming Changes, Pacific Business & Law Institute Conference, Vancouver, April 28, 2017.

Co-presenter with John Haythorne, "Identifying the Differences between General Contracts and Construction Management Contracts," Avoiding Common Errors in Construction Contracts: How to and How Not to, Pacific Business & Law Institute Conference, Vancouver, March 8, 2017.

Co-presenter with Jessica Apit (Kiewit), "A Step-by-Step Look at Procurement," Managing Risk in Construction Contracts & Projects, The Canadian Institute Conference, Calgary, January 17, 2017.

Co-chair, "Managing Risk in Construction Contracts & Projects," The Canadian Institute Conference, Calgary, January 17-18, 2017.

Co-presenter with John Haythorne, "Project Globalization – Legal Matters for Professionals," APEGBC’s 2016 Annual Conference, Victoria, October 21, 2016.

Co-presenter with Elizabeth Scott (BC Hydro), "The Latest Procurement Trends," The Construction Industry: Major Projects, Pacific Business & Law Institute Conference, Vancouver, June 2, 2016.

Co-chair, "The Construction Industry: Major Projects," Pacific Business & Law Institute Conference, Vancouver, June 2, 2016.

Presenter, "Trade Agreements and Procurement Obligations: An Overview," BC Municipal Risk Managers Forum, Vancouver, May 6, 2016.

Presenter, "Resolving Disputes during the Project," Resolving Construction Disputes, Pacific Business & Law Institute Conference, Vancouver, March 31, 2016.

Co-presenter with John Haythorne, "Project Globalization: Sourcing a Project across Multiple Jurisdictions," Hard Hat Forum: Nuts and Bolts of Construction Law, Vancouver, February 10, 2016.

Presenter, "Workshop A: Negotiating and Drafting Precise Contracts," Managing Risk in Construction Contracts, The Canadian Institute Conference, Vancouver, January 22, 2016.

Co-chair, "Managing Risk in Construction Contracts," The Canadian Institute Conference, Vancouver, January 20-21, 2016.

Presenter, "Popular Misconceptions: The Most Common Misconceptions Regarding Liens," Builders’ Liens – 2015 Update, CLEBC Seminar, Vancouver, November 24, 2015.

Presenter, "Recent Developments in Trade Treaties – What You Need to Know," Hard Hat Forum: Nuts and Bolts of Construction Law, Vancouver, November 19, 2015.

Presenter, "Cost Plus Contracts and Unit Price Contracts," Construction Contracts: Beyond Standard Terms, Pacific Business & Law Institute Conference, Vancouver, November 18, 2015.

Presenter, "Honesty and Reasonableness in Construction Contracts: The Impact of Bhasin v. Hrynew," Canadian Bar Association, British Columbia Construction Law Section Meeting, Vancouver, February 26, 2015.

Presenter, "Key Issues/Risks to Address in the Contract," Fundamentals of Construction Contracts in British Columbia: Understanding the Issues, Lorman Conference, Vancouver, December 12, 2014.

Presenter, "An Overview of Risk – From Project Inception Through Project Completion," Managing Risk in Construction Contracts, The Canadian Institute Conference, Edmonton, November 25, 2014.

Presenter, "Legal Risks in Creative Procurements and How to Minimize Them," Tendering Law – 2014 Update, CLEBC Seminar, Vancouver, October 24, 2014.

Presenter, "Construction Contract Tips for the Current Market – From Tenders to Design-Build," APEGBC Tri-City Branch Seminar, Coquitlam, February 26, 2014.

Presenter, "Workshop A: Drafting Clauses to Lower Your Risk: Deep Dive into Key Construction Contract Clauses and Understanding Drafting Pitfalls," Managing Risk in Construction Contracts, The Canadian Institute Conference, Edmonton, November 25, 2013.

Presenter, "Construction Contract Tips for the Current Market – From Tenders to Design-Build," APEGBC Sea to Sky Branch Seminar, North Vancouver, September 26, 2013.

Presenter, "Construction Contract Tips in the Current Market – From Tenders to Design-Build," APEGBC Richmond/Delta Branch Seminar, Richmond, June 20, 2013.

Presenter, "Creative Approaches to Construction Contracts and Project Delivery," Construction Contracts: How to Prevent Costly Mistakes, Pacific Business & Law Institute Conference, Vancouver, December 11, 2012.

Presenter, "Hot Issues in Professional Services Agreements," Construction Contracts: How to Prevent Costly Mistakes, Pacific Business & Law Institute Conference, Vancouver, December 11, 2012.

Presenter, "Procurement and You: Developments in Procurement Law and Implications Beyond Construction," Canadian Bar Association, Canadian Legal Conference, National Construction Law Section Meeting, Vancouver, August 14, 2012.

Presenter, "Project Management – Avoiding the Pitfalls of Delays," APEGBC Tri-City Branch Seminar, Coquitlam, March 7, 2012.

Presenter, "Subcontracts and Allocation of Subcontractor Risk," Procurement and Financing of Public Infrastructure Projects, Lexpert Conference, Vancouver, December 5, 2011.

Author, "Construction Law: Balance of Risk Takes Centre Stage as Canada Emerges From COVID-19," Lexpert, December 18, 2023.

Author, “NWPTA ‘Bid Protest Mechanism’: New ‘Teeth’ for Bidders in Public Procurements,” April 12, 2017.

Author, “The Scourge of Email Negotiation - Beware,” January 9, 2017.

Author, “Popular Misconceptions,” The Continuing Legal Education Society of British Columbia, November 2015.

Co-Author with Karen Martin, “The Bargains We Make,” Innovation, September/October 2012.

Co-Author with John Haythorne, “Tendering Law: A Call for a Return to Our Roots,” August 2012.