Mace Consult is planning a significant expansion in Montréal as it positions itself to support a new wave of Canadian infrastructure investment, highlighting the growing demand for programme management expertise as governments seek to deliver increasingly complex transport and logistics projects.
The company revealed its ambitions during a meeting between Mace Consult CEO Davendra Dabasia and a delegation from Montréal at the firm’s London headquarters, outlining plans to strengthen its presence in Québec while supporting several of the country’s largest infrastructure programmes.
The expansion builds on Mace’s existing role on the Alto High-Speed Rail Project and reflects growing opportunities across the Montréal region, including planned investments at Montréal–Trudeau International Airport and the Port of Montréal.
To support this growth, Mace expects to create up to 100 new positions in the region while investing in local skills development and strengthening the domestic supply chain.
Capitalising on Canada’s infrastructure pipeline
Canada is entering one of its largest infrastructure investment periods in decades.
Alongside provincial and municipal spending, the country’s Major Projects Office is overseeing approximately $135 billion in infrastructure investment aimed at modernising transport networks, supporting economic growth and improving national connectivity.
At the city level, Montréal has committed $25.9 billion to infrastructure improvements through 2035, with projects focused on transportation, trade corridors and urban resilience.
For international programme management firms, the combination of sustained public investment and increasingly complex capital programmes presents significant long-term opportunities.
Building local capability alongside project delivery
Rather than focusing solely on project execution, Mace says its expansion strategy includes developing local capability through workforce development and supply chain engagement.
The company believes creating skilled local resources generates lasting value beyond individual projects while strengthening delivery capacity for future programmes.
Mace currently employs more than 100 professionals across Canada, supporting major schemes including Metrolinx GO Expansion and Toronto’s subway programme.
The planned Montréal expansion would significantly increase the firm’s presence in Québec as work ramps up across multiple infrastructure sectors.
Experience from global mega-projects
Mace pointed to its international delivery experience as a differentiator, citing major programmes including:
- The Gateway Hudson Tunnel Project in New York
- Peru’s national infrastructure reconstruction programme
- The UK’s New Hospital Programme
- Hong Kong’s MTR rail and Northern Metropolis developments
- Saudi Arabia’s Diriyah Gate and Qiddiya mega-projects
The company also highlighted its role in delivering the London 2012 Olympic Games and the subsequent regeneration programme, which it says has generated economic benefits significantly exceeding the original public investment.
According to Mace, this emphasis on long-term legacy is increasingly shaping how major infrastructure programmes are planned and delivered.
Analysis
Mace’s planned expansion reflects a broader shift in Canada’s infrastructure market.
While funding announcements often attract the headlines, delivery capability is becoming the defining constraint. Governments are increasingly recognising that successful infrastructure programmes depend as much on experienced programme leadership, commercial management and local capability as they do on engineering expertise.
This is particularly true for programmes such as high-speed rail, airport expansion and port modernisation, where multiple projects, contractors and stakeholders must be coordinated over many years.
The emphasis on creating local jobs and strengthening supply chains also mirrors an international trend. Rather than simply procuring infrastructure, governments increasingly expect projects to leave lasting economic legacies by developing regional skills, supporting domestic businesses and building long-term delivery capacity.
For project professionals, the announcement reinforces Canada’s position as one of the world’s most active infrastructure markets. As investment accelerates, demand for experienced programme managers, project controls specialists and commercial leaders is likely to grow alongside engineering and construction expertise, making delivery capability a critical factor in turning ambitious investment plans into successful outcomes.
