Atomic Energy of Canada Limited is dedicating part of the $1.2-billion refurbishment it has planned for its facility at Chalk River to show off the performance of mass-timber construction. The federal government provided funding for the program on September 21.

The national construction unemployment rate continued its fourth consecutive month of decline through August, even as a slight dip in labour force numbers warrants further observation.

The construction giant has brought on board technology from Giatec Scientific, a company that provides smart-testing technologies and real-time data collection for concrete.

Eleven projects across the region will share in the funding. The largest is valued at $71.7 million and will see the design and construction of bus rapid transit in Ajax, Whitby and Oshawa.

Building construction investment increased to $15 billion for the month. An increase of nearly 5 percent in the residential sector offset a drop of nearly 4 percent in the non-residential sector.