The total of $11.1 billion is the highest ever recorded in the residential sector, and more than made up for yet another month of flat growth in non-residential activity.

While the national construction workforce grew by 39,000 jobs in January, Ontario’s workforce struggled. The industry lost 4,200 jobs in January, and employment is down more than 25,000 over the last 12 months.

The funding will be used to expand the airport’s runway and increase the number of lots in its business park.

Applications for this first round of funding, which is valued at $100 million, are open through February 28. A second round of funding worth $15 million will be opened in the spring.

Premier Doug Ford said Monday that a state of emergency will be allowed to expire as scheduled on Tuesday, but most regions will remain under a stay−at−home order until they transition back to the province’s colour−coded restrictions system.