According to Statistics Canada, total investment in building construction decreased 0.9 percent in June to $15.1 billion, the first decline in eight months. A slight increase in non-residential investment (+1.0 percent to $4.8 billion) was offset by a decrease in the residential sector (-1.8 percent to $10.3 billion).
Investment in multi-unit dwellings declined for the first time in eight months, down 4.4 percent to $5.3 billion, while investment in single-unit construction increased 1.0 percent to $5.0 billion. The decrease in total residential investment stemmed mainly from declines in British Columbia (-$174.1 million) and Manitoba (-$54.0 million).
Non-residential investment increased in seven provinces, led by British Columbia (+$27.4 million). This growth more than offset the declines in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick.
All three components in the non-residential sector posted gains. The institutional component had the largest increase (+1.4 percent to $1.1 billion), which was due to projects such as the new Calgary Cancer Centre. The commercial component advanced 0.9 percent to $2.8 billion, while investment in the industrial component increased 0.7 percent to $911.1 million.