Investment in Building Construction Down 2% in August

EIN Aug Building 400

October 22, 2021

Investment in building construction decreased 2.0% to $17.7 billion in August, a fourth consecutive monthly decline. Residential construction was down 2.9% for the month, while investment in non-residential construction edged up 0.6%.

On a constant dollar basis (2012=100), investment in building construction declined 2.6% to $12.7 billion in August.

Residential construction continues to slow following April peak

Residential construction investment decreased 2.9% in August, with declines posted in every province except for a slight increase in Nova Scotia.

Investment in single family homes was down 2.6% to $7.0 billion, with Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia posting the largest declines. Despite a fourth consecutive monthly decrease, single unit construction was 25.6% higher than a year earlier.

Multi-unit construction investment declined in all provinces, down 3.3% nationally to $6.0 billion in August.

Institutional sector drives gains in non-residential construction

Non-residential construction investment rose 0.6% in August to $4.7 billion.

Institutional investment posted a 10th consecutive monthly increase (+1.8% to $1.3 billion), driven by gains in Ontario (+4.3%) and Quebec (+2.2%). This was the highest level of investment in institutional construction since March 2012.

Commercial investment was mostly unchanged in August (+0.1%), with gains in seven provinces offsetting the declines in Ontario (-0.5%), British Columbia (-1.3%) and Nova Scotia (-2.4%).

Industrial construction edged up 0.2% for the month, led by investment in Ontario.

Go HERE for more information

Related Articles

Latest Articles

  • Navigating Tariff Uncertainty as an Electrical Contractor

    April 15, 2025 By Matthew Biswas These three words put me into a catatonic shock – Supply Chain Disruption. It seems like just yesterday I was standing at a counter asking for products I’d bought 100’s of times before and being told they are on backorder with no expected delivery date. Circuit breakers, dimmers, panels,… Read More…

  • Four Ways Permanent Power Enahnces Outdoor Spaces

    Four Ways Permanent Power Enahnces Outdoor Spaces

    April 14, 2025 Today’s workplaces are expanding beyond the four walls of an office. As technology continues to evolve, employees are looking for new and alternative workspaces to inspire creativity and increase productivity. This includes taking their work to outdoor spaces. Bringing technology to outdoor spaces has become a challenge for facility managers and property… Read More…

  • CAF-FCA Provides Recomendations on Apprenticeship Investment

    CAF-FCA Provides Recomendations on Apprenticeship Investment

    April 13, 2025 CAF-FCA have provided an outline of actionable recommendations—developed through national consultation—to enhance accessibility, reduce financial barriers, and better align apprenticeship training with industry needs. Source Read More…

  • New Report: Preparing Alberta’s Buildings for Severe Weather

    New Report: Preparing Alberta’s Buildings for Severe Weather

    April 13, 2025 Alberta is facing more severe weather events, with rising temperatures, wildfires, and more frequent extreme storms threatening homes and businesses. Our report, Preparing Alberta’s Buildings for Severe Weather−written in partnership with the Alberta Ecotrust Retrofit Accelerator program−highlights the need for deep retrofits to ensure the province’s buildings can withstand these changing conditions. Four… Read More…

Changing Scene