Investment in building construction in Canada increased C$25.1 million, or 0.1% from July, to C$23.5 billion in August, and was 7.9% higher than a year earlier. The non-residential sector drove the increase, while residential activity declined slightly, Statistics Canada reported.
Residential investment declined C$45.4 million, or 0.3% from July, to C$16.1 billion in August. Single-family activity dropped C$98.3 million, or 1.3% from July, to C$7.6 billion, with British Columbia and Quebec driving the decrease. Multi-unit activity added C$52.9 million, or 0.6% from July, to C$8.5 billion, as gains in Quebec and British Columbia were partly offset by declines in five provinces and one territory, led by Ontario.
The institutional category climbed C$43.5 million, or 1.9% from July, to C$2.4 billion, with gains in Ontario and Quebec moderated by declines in British Columbia and Alberta. Schools and education building construction led the institutional increase, driven by major projects in the Toronto and Montréal census metropolitan areas. Industrial activity edged down C$0.8 million, or 0.1% from July, to C$1.5 billion, as declines in Quebec, Alberta and Ontario were partly offset by a gain in British Columbia. Commercial activity grew C$27.9 million, or 0.8% from July, to C$3.6 billion, with Ontario and Quebec the primary contributors.
In constant 2023 dollars, the total eased C$21.6 million, or 0.1% from July, to C$21.2 billion in August, and was 4.7% higher than a year earlier.