According to Statistics Canada, investment in non-residential building construction totaled $12.5 billion in the third quarter, down 0.5 percent from the previous quarter. This was the sixth decrease in seven quarters dating back to the first quarter of 2015. The decline in the third quarter reflected lower spending on commercial and industrial building construction, which more than offset higher investment in institutional buildings.
Spending on commercial building construction fell 1.6 percent to $7.2 billion in the third quarter, following a 0.8 percent increase the previous quarter. The decline at the national level was primarily attributable to lower spending on office buildings, warehouses and hotels.
Investment in industrial projects was down 2.5 percent from the second quarter to $1.7 billion in the third quarter. The decline was attributable to lower investment in the construction of manufacturing plants and utilities buildings, which was moderated by a 7.8 percent gain in the construction of primary industry buildings.
Investment in institutional building construction rose 2.9 percent from the previous quarter to $3.5 billion in the third quarter, following two consecutive quarterly declines. Higher spending on the construction of educational institutions was largely responsible for the advance at the national level.