Investment in non-residential building construction down in the third quarter

Investment in non-residential building construction totalled $12.5 billion in the third quarter, down 0.5 per cent from the previous quarter. This was the sixth decrease in seven quarters dating back to the first quarter of 2015. The decline in the third quarter reflected lower spending on commercial and industrial building construction, which more than offset higher investment in institutional buildings.

Investment fell in five provinces, with Alberta and British Columbia posting the largest declines.

Chart 1 
Investment in non-residential building construction

In Alberta, investment declined for the sixth consecutive quarter. The decrease in the third quarter resulted from lower investment in commercial and industrial buildings. Conversely, construction spending on institutional buildings has increased since the third quarter of 2014.

Investment in British Columbia fell in the third quarter, following nine consecutive quarterly gains. The decrease was attributable to lower investment in all three components, with commercial buildings posting the largest decline.

In contrast, the largest advance occurred in Quebec, followed by Manitoba.

In Quebec, spending on non-residential building construction rose for the first time in nine quarters, as a result of higher investment in the industrial and commercial components.

In Manitoba, investment rose as a result of higher spending in all three components, with commercial projects accounting for most of the gain. This was the second consecutive quarterly increase for the province.

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