In this Q&A feature, Michael Grossman, president of Peakhill Project Advisory, and Robin McLernon, vice-president of public-sector projects, explain why the firm has launched a public-sector division to advise clients on major infrastructure projects. McLernon heads the new division.

Peakhill Project Advisory recently launched its Public Sector division. What market dynamics or client demand prompted this expansion, and how does it position Peakhill differently within Canada’s infrastructure and major-projects landscape?

Peakhill launched its Public Sector division in direct response to what we’re seeing across Canada’s infrastructure landscape: Larger and more complex programs, tighter fiscal environments, heightened public scrutiny, and a clear gap in owner-side capacity. Public agencies are being asked to deliver more with less and the margin for error has never been smaller.

We are building this division to strengthen the owner’s position. Our focus is on getting the fundamentals right early and then staying engaged through delivery to protect cost, schedule, and accountability. We are not observers; we are embedded advisors who bring practical development management and project-controls experience to the public sector.

The result is a more resilient project framework, better decision-making, and infrastructure that stands up to both market realities and public scrutiny.

Public-sector infrastructure projects face increasing scrutiny around risk, transparency, and accountability. How does Peakhill’s integrated platform — combining advisory expertise with a robust capital base — help public and institutional owners deliver more predictable outcomes?

Public-sector sponsors are navigating constrained budgets alongside growing infrastructure demands, and there is a meaningful opportunity for private capital and expertise to complement public priorities in a responsible and aligned way. Looking ahead, we see significant opportunity in housing-enabling infrastructure, modernization of healthcare and institutional facilities, and transit-linked mixed-use developments that support sustainable urban growth. Public-private collaboration will be essential to delivering these projects efficiently, and success will depend on strong alignment, transparent risk-sharing, and partners who bring both capital and execution expertise.

Peakhill’s goal is to serve as a trusted partner to public-sector clients—helping them structure and deliver projects that meet their policy objectives while ensuring financial resilience and long-term value for the communities they serve.

With Robin McLernon leading the Public Sector platform, what types of projects or partnerships is Peakhill most focused on pursuing in 2025 and beyond, and where do you see the greatest opportunity for public-private collaboration in Canada?

We see the greatest opportunity in housing and transit-oriented development. Healthcare is a particular area of focus for me—while we’ll continue to see major investment in the mega hospitals, there is significant unmet need beyond large-scale projects. Provinces are increasingly focused on long-term care, as well as more opportunities with outpatient centres, like ambulatory and primary care facilities, where there is real need. We’re also seeing strong demand for student housing, which remains a highly attractive space given supply constraints and growing institutional interest in new delivery models.

Pictured: Michael Grossman (left), Robin McLernon (right).

Photos: Courtesy of Peakhill Project Advisory