According to Statistics Canada, investment in building construction went up 1.0 percent to $20.6 billion in February, with all components posting gains. The residential sector rose 1.1 percent to $15.0 billion, while the non-residential sector was up 0.8 percent to $5.6 billion.
Investment in residential building construction advanced 1.1 percent to $15.0 billion in February, with single-family home investment (+1.3 percent; +$102.8 million) contributing the most to the growth. Most notably, Nova Scotia recorded its largest monthly dollar increase for the single-family component (+19.9 percent; +$47.5 million) since March 2013.
Multi-unit construction increased 0.8 percent to $6.9 billion, mostly driven by Ontario (+7.6 percent). On the other hand, Quebec continued to contract, with its ninth consecutive decline since reaching its peak in May 2022.
Investment in non-residential construction increased 0.8 percent to $5.6 billion in February, with Ontario leading the gains in every component.
Industrial construction investment rose 1.1 percent to $1.1 billion in February and was up 23.1 percent year over year. This was the 15th consecutive monthly increase. The steady increase was largely driven by the mining and agriculture subcomponent, up 61.1 percent from December 2021 to February 2023 on an unadjusted basis.
Commercial construction investment was relatively stable in February, up 0.5 percent to $3.1 billion. Both Ontario and Manitoba continued to climb for the sixth consecutive month.
Institutional construction investment was up 1.0 percent to $1.4 billion in February. The construction start of an educational building in Kelowna, British Columbia helped contribute to the overall growth in the month. Conversely, Newfoundland and Labrador posted its 16th consecutive monthly drop in February, leading to its lowest recorded value since June 2018.