Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships - 2012 Gold Prize for Financing the New CHUM

MONTREAL, Nov. 28, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - The Canadian Council for Public-Private Partnerships (CCPPP) has awarded the Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM), the Collectif Santé Montréal (CSM) and Infrastructure Québec its 2012 Gold Prize for financing construction of the new CHUM.

This award recognizes the innovative approach to financing launched by Collectif Santé Montréal, the consortium in charge of project design, construction, financing and maintenance. The CCPPP presented this Gold Prize at its annual conference on November 26 in Toronto.

Consisting of Innisfree Canada Ltd., Obrascon Huarte Lain, S.A., Laing O'Rourke PLC and Dalkia Canada Inc., Collectif Santé Montréal raised $1.37 billion through the sale of secured bonds. This is the largest senior dept funding ever raised in Canada for a public-private partnership (PPP). Luc Fouquette, the Collectif's General Manager said, "This funding is also the very first for a PPP project in Canada with a BBB rating (BBB+ by DBRS and Baa2 by Moody's)." The consortium's proposed phasing is the key to this innovative approach and will permit delivery of a fully functioning hospital by the spring of 2016.

"I would like to thank the CCPPP for this recognition, which attests to the excellent proposal developed by our partner, Collectif Santé Montréal (CSM), for building the new CHUM in downtown Montreal," said Christian Paire, Director General and CEO of the CHUM. "By 2016, Quebeckers will benefit from state-of-the-art care in a comprehensive, leading-edge hospital with 772 beds and 39 operating rooms planned, along with the majority of outpatient clinics. An amphitheatre and library, as well as clinical and administrative facilities will be added by 2019. Our partner, CSM, mobilized an international team incorporating local expertise to create this patient-oriented concept. Our new CHUM will redefine the hospital experience."

About the CHUM
The Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM) is one of the largest teaching hospitals in North America. Known for excellent care and the expertise of its specialists, every year it welcomes more than half a million patients not only from the greater Montreal region but also the entire province of Quebec. The essence of its mission is the application of innovative approaches to healthcare, the search for new knowledge, the promotion of health and the transfer of knowledge. Boasting a rich history, the CHUM is looking to the future with the ongoing construction of new facilities and its research centre in downtown Montreal, a comprehensive project on a single site valued at nearly $2.5 billion. The CHUM Research Centre will open its doors in 2013. It will be followed in 2016 by the unveiling of the new CHUM, a world-class teaching hospital in tune with its community where it plays a major role, in a socially aware perspective of sustainable development and concerted urban approach. It is also an active member of the Réseau universitaire intégré de santé (RUIS) de l'Université de Montréal. chumontreal.com

About the Collectif Santé Montréal
The Collectif Santé Montréal is a consortium consisting of Innisfree Canada Ltd., Obrascon Huarte Lain, S.A. (OHL), Laing O'Rourke Corporation Ltd. (Laing O'Rourke) and Dalkia Canada Inc. Its mission is to design, build, finance and maintain the future CHUM. Two separate project construction phases will take place over a nine-year period, starting in 2011. Operating under the name Construction Santé Montréal, contractors Laing O'Rourke and OHL are drawing on the experience of many major regional and international subcontractors, such as Cannon Design (Canada) and DCYSA (Montreal) architects, HH Angus, Pasquin St-Jean, Roche and Groupe SM engineers and Montréal construction firms EBC and Magil. Once construction has been completed, Dalkia Canada Inc. will be responsible for CHUM's maintenance over a 30-year period.

About Infrastructure Québec
Infrastructure Québec contributes, through its advice and expertise, to the planning and carrying out of public infrastructure projects, while taking part in the planning of infrastructure maintenance, to ensure the sound management of public funds.

Irrespective of the selected delivery approach (traditional, construction management, turnkey or public-private partnerships), Infrastructure Québec contributes to the government's objective: obtain quality infrastructure through optimal management of risks, costs and scheduling. In conjunction with public organisations, Infrastructure Québec contributes to the improvement of the quality of services delivered to the public.

SOURCE: CENTRE HOSPITALIER DE L'UNIVERSITE DE MONTREAL

Lucie Dufresne
Communication Advisor
Centre hospitalier de l'Université de Montréal (CHUM)
Telephone: [phone], ext. 15380
Pager: 514 860-7110

Stéphane Mailhot
Communications and Public Affairs Manager
Collectif Santé Montréal (CSM)
Telephone: [phone], ext. 204

Karla Duval
Communication Advisor
Infrastructure Québec
Telephone: [phone]