Investment in Building Construction Rose 1.8% in July

Investment In Building Construction - July 2020

Sept 24, 2020

Total investment in building construction increased 1.8% to $15.1 billion in July. Residential sector investment increased 4.9% to $9.9 billion, while non-residential investment decreased 3.7% to $5.3 billion. Construction activity has rebounded in the last few months, with investment in building construction remaining slightly lower than February 2020 levels, before COVID-19 construction restrictions were first put in place. On a constant dollar basis (2012=100), investment in building construction increased 2.0% to $12.4 billion.

Residential construction up for the third consecutive month

Investment in residential construction rose 4.9% to $9.9 billion in July, with increases in both single-unit (+7.5% to $5.1 billion) and multi-unit (+2.4% to $4.8 billion) investment. Ontario (+4.5% to $4.0 billion) and Quebec (+5.6% to $2.0 billion) led all of Canada in residential gains. 

Despite another month of residential growth, national investment was 3.7% lower than the pre-COVID-19 levels observed in February 2020. Quebec had the largest gap between current and pre-COVID-19 levels, down $249.6 million or 10.9% compared with February 2020.

Non-residential investment pulls back 

Following strong gains in June, non-residential construction investment declined 3.7% to $5.3 billion in July, with decreases reported in all three components. Eight provinces reported declines for the month, with the largest decreases in Ontario (-3.2% to $2.1 billion) and Quebec (-4.8% to $1.4 billion). Newfoundland and Labrador (+4.2%) and Prince Edward Island (+4.1%) were the only provinces to report gains for the month. Further declines are anticipated in this sector as many office buildings and shopping malls remain under-utilized. 

The commercial component represented the majority of non-residential declines, down 5.0% to $3.1 billion in July. Nine provinces reported declines for the month, while Prince Edward Island reported an increase of 29.2% to $7.1 million. The largest declines were reported in Quebec (-7.8%) and Ontario (-3.9%), although both provinces remained above pre-COVID-19 levels. Declines in those provinces were attributed to a combination of fewer new construction starts, and several major projects winding down to completion. 

The institutional component of non-residential investment decreased 0.8% to $1.2 billion in July. Quebec reported the majority of declines for the month, more than offsetting gains in British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Nationally, the industrial component was down 2.8% in July. Eight provinces reported declines, with the largest decrease in Ontario, down 4.2% to $369.5 million.

Source: Statistics Canada, www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/daily-quotidien/200921/dq200921a-eng.htm

Related Articles


Changing Scene

  • Sonepar Announces Brand Consolidation in Ontario

    Sonepar Announces Brand Consolidation in Ontario

    Sonepar proudly announces the consolidation of their Ontario businesses from five brands to two. Aztec, Dixon and MGM will rebrand as a new and refreshed Dixon. Electrozad and Sesco will carry the new Electrozad brand. “Through many years of continued growth and acquisitions at Sonepar Canada, we have reached an exciting point in Ontario where… Read More…

  • Houle Selected as Electrical and Technology Contractor for the New BC Cancer Centre

    Houle Selected as Electrical and Technology Contractor for the New BC Cancer Centre

    In late August, Houle were proud to announce that they had been selected as the electrical and technology contractor for the new BC Cancer centre at the Royal Inland Hospital campus in Kamloops. Located adjacent to Royal Inland Hospital, this five-storey cancer centre will provide people in BC’s Interior with expanded access to cancer care… Read More…


Peers & Profiles