Investment in Residential Construction Edges Down in August

October 23, 2026

The total value of investment in building construction edged up $25.1 million (+0.1%) to $23.5 billion in August. An increase in the non-residential sector (+1.0%) was moderated by a slight decline in the residential sector (-0.3%). Year over year, investment in building construction grew 7.9% in August.

On a constant dollar basis (2023=100), the total value of investment in building construction edged down 0.1% from the previous month to $21.2 billion in August, but it was up 4.7% year over year.

Institutional and commercial components drive growth in non-residential investment

In August, the value of investment in non-residential building construction increased $70.5 million to $7.4 billion. Both the institutional (+1.9%) and commercial (+0.8%) components contributed to the increase, while the industrial component (-0.1%) showed little change.

Investment in institutional construction rose $43.5 million to $2.4 billion in August. Gains in Ontario (+$35.9 million) and Quebec (+$15.3 million) were moderated by declines in British Columbia (-$4.6 million) and Alberta (-$3.1 million). Investment in schools and education building construction led to the increase in the institutional component, driven by major projects in the Toronto and Montréal census metropolitan areas.

Investment in commercial construction grew $27.9 million to $3.6 billion in August. Ontario (+$18.5 million) and Quebec (+$8.0 million) were the primary contributors to the increase.

Meanwhile, investment in industrial construction edged down $0.8 million to $1.5 billion in August. This modest change was largely attributable to Quebec (-$6.6 million), Alberta (-$3.8 million) and Ontario (-$3.0 million). The gain in British Columbia (+$12.5 million) partially offset the overall decline.

Investment in residential construction edges down

In August, investment in residential building construction edged down $45.4 million to $16.1 billion. The single-family component (-1.3%) led the slight decline, while the multi-unit component increased 0.6%.

Investment in single-family home construction was down $98.3 million to $7.6 billion in August. British Columbia (-$46.5 million) and Quebec (-$45.7 million) drove the decrease and were supported by declines across four other provinces and two territories.

Meanwhile, investment in multi-unit construction rose $52.9 million to $8.5 billion in August. Gains in Quebec (+$74.7 million) and British Columbia (+$65.2 million) were partially offset by declines in five provinces and one territory, led by Ontario (-$79.4 million).

Investment in non-residential building construction, August 2026

For more information on construction, please visit the Construction statistics portal.

For more information on housing, please visit the Housing statistics portal.