February Spending on New Housing Construction Up 5.4% YOY

May 3 2016

Spending on new housing construction totalled $3.7 billion in February, up 5.4% from the same month a year earlier. Nationally, the gain was the result of higher investment in apartment and apartment-condominium building construction, which increased 24.8% to $1.4 billion, and, to a lesser extent, row house construction, which rose 8.2% to $373 million. In contrast, investment in single-family dwellings was $1.8 billion, 4.3% lower than in February 2015, while spending on semi-detached dwelling construction declined 18.1% to $160 million.

At the provincial level, increases were recorded in three provinces, led by Ontario, followed by British Columbia and Quebec.

In Ontario, investment in new housing construction rose 28.0% to $1.5 billion in February compared with the same month a year earlier. The increase resulted from higher construction spending on all dwelling types except semi-detached dwellings, for which investment has been on a downward trend for the last 12 months. Higher investment in single-family houses and apartment and apartment-condominium buildings accounted for much of the advance.

In British Columbia, new residential construction investment rose 21.8% year over year to $765 million. Construction spending on apartment and apartment-condominium buildings led the advance, rising 49.5% to $335 million. Higher investment in single-family dwellings and row houses also contributed to the gain.

In Quebec, investment totalled $502 million in February, up 4.8% from February 2015. Increased spending on apartment and apartment-condominiums more than offset lower investment in single-family houses and semi-detached dwellings.

The seven remaining provinces reported lower spending on new housing construction in February compared with the same month in 2015. The Prairie provinces registered the largest decreases, led by Alberta. The 24.7% decline in Alberta came mainly from lower investment in single-family dwellings.

Source: Statistics Canada, www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/160421/dq160421d-eng.htm.

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Code Question on Section 24 – Patient Care Areas

    Code Question on Section 24 – Patient Care Areas

    July 14, 2025 The rules for the installation of panelboards, circuits, and bonding in Patient Care Area depends on whether the area is designated as either, Basic Care, Intermediate Care or Critical Care. How are these areas defined? Read more on Section 24 — Health care areas Read More…

  • Ontario’s Institutional Component Drives Non-Residential Construction Intentions in May 2025

    Ontario’s Institutional Component Drives Non-Residential Construction Intentions in May 2025

    July 14, 2025 In May, the total value of building permits issued in Canada rose by $1.4 billion (+12.0%) to reach $13.1 billion. The increase in construction intentions was driven by Ontario’s institutional component (+$1.3 billion). On a constant dollar basis (2023=100), the total value of building permits issued in May increased 11.8% from the previous month and was… Read More…

  • Plan Group Partners in Construction of UHN Surgical Tower at Toronto Western Hospital

    Plan Group Partners in Construction of UHN Surgical Tower at Toronto Western Hospital

    July 14, 2025 Plan Group is proud to be a partner in the construction of the UHN Surgical Tower at Toronto Western Hospital. Plan Group will provide work on the project in: Mechanical: Plumbing, HVAC, Controls, Medical GasElectrical: Lighting & Controls, Power Distribution, Emergency Generators, UPSTechnology: Structured Cabling, AV Systems including Digital Signage and IPTV UHN’s 15-storey Surgical… Read More…

  • How Canada Can Equip Workers for a Low-Carbon Future

    How Canada Can Equip Workers for a Low-Carbon Future

    July 14, 2025 The Canadian economy is shifting towards low-carbon industries, and the workforce is shifting with it. New roles are emerging, traditional ones are evolving and the demand for skilled workers is growing fast — particularly in light of the ambitious nation-building agenda the federal government has set out. In the federal Speech from… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • Luxxbox Launches Quick Ship Program to Accelerate Project Timelines

    Luxxbox Launches Quick Ship Program to Accelerate Project Timelines

    July 16, 2025 Luxxbox announces the launch of its new Quick Ship Program, designed to provide architects, designers, and project managers in the United States and Canada with expedited access to a curated selection of their most in-demand acoustic lighting products. With a two-week turnaround from order to dispatch, the program ensures that project timelines… Read More…

  • ECS Earns Platinum Status for 8th Consecutive Year in Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program

    ECS Earns Platinum Status for 8th Consecutive Year in Canada’s Best Managed Companies Program

    July 16, 2025 Electrical Cable Supply (ECS), Canada’s largest independently owned wire and cable distributors, is proud to announce its re-certification with the prestigious Platinum designation in Deloitte’s Canada’s Best Managed Companies program for the eighth consecutive year. This announcement recognizes ECS’s sustained excellence in strategy, innovation, culture, and strong financial performance. The Canada’s Best… Read More…

  • Nexans Canada Partners with Skills Compétences Canada to Sponsor WorldSkills Team Canada 2026

    Nexans Canada Partners with Skills Compétences Canada to Sponsor WorldSkills Team Canada 2026

    July 16, 2025 Nexans has announced its partnership with Skills Compétences Canada (SCC), a not-for-profit organization that actively promotes careers in skilled trades and technologies. As part of the partnership, Nexans will sponsor WorldSkills Team Canada 2026 as they prepare to compete at the 48th WorldSkills Competition, taking place in Shanghai, China, from September 22 to 27, 2026. “At Nexans,… Read More…

  • OEL Apprentice Success Project Available Until March 2026

    OEL Apprentice Success Project Available Until March 2026

    July 14, 2025 With renewed funding by Ontario’s Skills Development Fund, the OEL Apprentice Success Project is now available for another year until March 2026. The project is part of OEL’s Employer Engagement Program (EEP) consisting of wage, training, and equipment subsidies for apprentices. These funding opportunities are available to OEL Members and non-Members. For… Read More…