Non-residential construction posts 9th straight gain

Infographic: Investment in non-residential building construction, April 2022. (Source: StatCan, Table 34-10-0175-01)

Investment in the non-residential construction sector advanced for the ninth consecutive month in April. The sector rose 1.4 per cent from March to reach $5.3 billion. Growth was paced by increases in seven provinces. Overall investment in building construction was also up on the month, increasing by 2.7 per cent, reaching $20.9 billion, as gains were also reported in the residential sector.

Residential investment rose for a seventh consecutive month, up 3.2 per cent to $15.7 billion in April. British Columbia led the way with more than eight per cent growth as it reached a record high of slightly more than $2.4 billion.

Investment in single family homes increased 4.5 per cent to $8.8 billion on gains in seven provinces. Multi-unit construction investment advanced 1.5 per cent to $6.9 billion, with British Columbia behind much of the component’s advance.

All three non-residential components showed growth for the month. Investment in industrial construction increased 1.7 per cent to $931 million; commercial investment advanced 1.5 per cent to $2.9 billion; and institutional investment rose one per cent to $1.4 billion. A federal building in Shawinigan designed for the Canada Revenue Agency and Employment and Social Development Canada and a notable retail project in Vancouver contributed significantly to non-residential gains for the month.

www.statcan.gc.ca