New Housing Construction Up 6.4% YOY in February

Economy

Apr 30, 2017

New housing construction investment totalled $4.0 billion in February, an increase of 6.4% compared with the same month in 2016. The higher investment occurred mostly in three provinces: Ontario and, to a lesser extent, British Columbia and Manitoba. Spending on single-family dwellings led the advance at the national level.

Higher spending on single-family dwellings continues to drive the national increase

Nationally, construction spending was up year over year for all dwelling types for a fifth consecutive month. The increase of investment in single-family dwellings ($187.8 million) was the largest contributor, representing 76.8% of the national increase.

Increases in apartment building investment continued to be led by spending in British Columbia. The largest decreases for this type of dwelling were reported in Alberta and Quebec.

Year over year, investment in row housing construction continued to rise in most of the provinces in February, with only two provinces posting declines: Alberta (-$28.0 million) and Nova Scotia (-$0.2 million).

As for double houses construction investments, three provinces registered a decline, especially Manitoba where it fell $2.5 million from February 2016 levels.

Ontario was the sole province to post increases for all dwelling types.

National increase largely driven by Ontario

Spending was up in five provinces in February, compared with the same month one year earlier. The national increase was largely the result of higher investment in Ontario and, to a lesser extent, in British Columbia and Manitoba. The largest decline was posted in Alberta.

In Ontario, investment in new housing construction reached $1.7 billion in February, up 16.5% year over year. The increase was largely attributable to higher spending on single-family dwellings, although all dwelling types posted gains.

In British Columbia, spending totalled $863.2 million, up 10.9% year over year. The increase originated from higher construction investment in apartment buildings (+$84.5 million) and, to a lesser extent, in row houses (+$7.1 million).
New housing construction investment in Manitoba was up 17.0% year over year and totalled $96.4 million. The advance was driven by higher investment in single-family dwellings, although gains were posted for all dwelling types other than double dwellings.

Conversely, Alberta posted the largest year-over-year decline in investment in new housing construction. Spending was down 13.3% to $605.0 million in February as a result of lower investment in all dwelling types, with the exception of semi-detached dwellings. The decrease was led by lower investment in apartments (-$69.9 million) and row houses (-$28.0 million).

Source: Statistics Canada, http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/170421/dq170421d-eng.htm

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Virtual Training for Electricians Available at Many IBEW Canada Training Centres Across the Country

    Virtual Training for Electricians Available at Many IBEW Canada Training Centres Across the Country

    June 23, 2025 Virtual Training for Electricians (VET) is now available at many IBEW Canada Training Centres nationwide — and more are coming online soon! Whether your centre is already equipped or in the process of setting up, this is a game-changing opportunity you won’t want to miss. Need assistance? Contact the NETCO team. What… Read More…

  • Designing for Demand: The Role of Transformers in a Resilient EV Future

    Designing for Demand: The Role of Transformers in a Resilient EV Future

    June 23, 2025 Transformers in the EV Charging Boom: Are We Ready for the Load? As electric vehicles (EVs) continue their rapid rise, one question looms over the energy sector, municipalities, and developers alike: Is our infrastructure truly ready for the surge in demand? From city streets to highway rest stops, new EV chargers are… Read More…

  • The Time is Now: An Industrial Energy Efficiency Action Plan

    The Time is Now: An Industrial Energy Efficiency Action Plan

    June 23, 2025 In a whitepaper released on June third, ABB has set out the scale of the challenge facing the global industrial sector and emphasizes the critical role of industrial energy efficiency in meeting rising energy demand while strengthening energy security & affordability and driving industrial competitiveness. With 45% of the world’s electricity converted… Read More…

  • Multi-Family Construction Intentions Weigh Down Residential Sector

    Multi-Family Construction Intentions Weigh Down Residential Sector

    June 23, 2025 In April, the total value of building permits issued in Canada decreased by $829.6 million (-6.6%) to $11.7 billion. British Columbia (-$1.2 billion) led this decrease in construction intentions, which was mitigated by Ontario (+$299.3 million). On a constant dollar basis (2023=100), the total value of building permits issued in April fell by 6.6% from the previous… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • Stanpro Makes Significant Donation to Help Haven on the Queensway Move to a Larger Facility

    Stanpro Makes Significant Donation to Help Haven on the Queensway Move to a Larger Facility

    June 23, 2025 In an effort to provide essential resources to individuals and families in need in the GTA, EFC members once again stepped up to support Haven on the Queensway, a community resource centre in Etobicoke, ON. Earlier this year, Haven secured a new, larger location nearby its existing facility to meet growing demand… Read More…

  • Metalumen Manufacturing, Inc. Announces NRG INTENSI-T as New Sales Agency in Quebec

    Metalumen Manufacturing, Inc. Announces NRG INTENSI-T as New Sales Agency in Quebec

    June 23, 2025 Metalumen Manufacturing, Inc. is pleased to welcome NRG INTENSI-T as its new sales agency for the Quebec region. This partnership strengthens regional support and reflects a shared commitment to innovation and excellence. Since 1977, Metalumen has been designing, engineering, and manufacturing lighting products that blend functionality with design, offering luminaires tailored to… Read More…

  • IDEAL Electrical™ and BILT® Make it Easier to Learn Conduit Bending

    IDEAL Electrical™ and BILT® Make it Easier to Learn Conduit Bending

    June 23, 2025 Conduit bending – one of the hardest skills for professional electricians to master – is now easier than ever to learn, thanks to a first-of-its kind partnership between BILT, an app that has revolutionized step-by-step interactive instructions for DIYers and IDEAL Electrical, a 108-year old manufacturer of electrical tools and supplies for professional electricians…. Read More…

  • Introducing the New WAGO App: Your Jobsite Sidekick

    Introducing the New WAGO App: Your Jobsite Sidekick

    WAGO at your fingertips — scan the QR to get the app now. Stay connected with WAGO wherever you go. Download the WAGO App to access product details, documentation, configuration tools, as well as local distributors — all from your mobile device. Scan the QR code to get started on the App Store or Google… Read More…