Statistics Canada reports that the total value of investment in building construction increased by $442.9 million, or 1.9%, to $23.7 billion in December.

In December, investment in residential building construction was up $401.0 million, or 2.4%, to $16.8 billion. This growth was driven by the multi-unit component (+2.6%), followed by the single-family component (+2.3%).

Investment in multi-unit construction rose $234.1 million to $9.3 billion in December, led by Ontario (+$266.9 million) and Alberta (+$97.3 million). The increase was partially offset by declines in Quebec (-$111.8 million) and Manitoba (-$25.2 million). In total, three provinces and two territories contributed to the growth in this component.

Meanwhile, investment in single-family home construction increased $166.9 million to $7.5 billion. The increase was driven by Ontario (+$116.3 million) and British Columbia (+$45.6 million).

Commercial component leads non-residential sector

Investment in non-residential construction, meanwhile, edged up $41.9 million, or 0.6%, to $6.9 billion for the month. Growth in the commercial (+1.3%) and institutional (+0.2%) components were moderated by a slight decline in the industrial component (-0.4%).

Commercial construction investment rose $43.8 million to $3.5 billion in December. This growth was driven by Alberta (+$20.6 million), followed by Ontario (+$15.7 million) and British Columbia (+$6.4 million). Investment in office building construction led the increase in the commercial component, driven by major projects in the Toronto and Vancouver census metropolitan areas.

Investment in the institutional component edged up $3.8 million to $2.1 billion in December, led by British Columbia (+$21.1 million) and Alberta (+$7.6 million). The slight gains in these two provinces were moderated by declines across four provinces and two territories, driven by Ontario (-$21.4 million).

Investment in the industrial component edged down $5.8 million to $1.3 billion in December, marking the 11th consecutive monthly decrease. Quebec (-$3.9 million), British Columbia (-$2.5 million) and Manitoba (-$1.1 million) were the primary contributors to the decline, while Ontario (+$1.9 million) partially offset it.

Annual review, 2025

In 2025, the total value of investment in building construction increased 8.5% (+$21.3 billion) to $272.1 billion. On a constant dollar basis (2023=100), the total value of investment in building construction grew 4.8% to $254.0 billion.

Investment in residential building construction rose $12.5 billion to $178.0 billion in 2025. The multi-unit component (+$11.2 billion to $98.4 billion) drove the increase, followed by the single-family component (+$1.3 billion to $79.6 billion).

Declines in the non-residential sector (-$738.6 million to $76.0 billion) tempered the increase of the investment in building construction in 2025. Losses in the industrial (-$1.2 billion) and commercial (-$787.2 million) components were moderated by gains in the institutional component (+$1.3 billion).

Investment in the industrial component decreased 7.3% to $15.3 billion in 2025, led by Quebec (-$705.0 million), followed by Ontario (-$397.1 million) and, to a lesser extent, British Columbia (-$98.3 million). In total, eight provinces and two territories contributed to the decline.

Commercial construction investment was down 2.1% to $37.6 billion in 2025, driven by Quebec (-$506.9 million), Alberta (-$464.2 million) and British Columbia (-$437.2 million). The decrease was tempered by increases in Ontario (+$464.3 million) and New Brunswick (+$102.4 million).

Investment in the institutional component rose 5.7% to $23.1 billion in 2025. Alberta (+$1.1 billion) led the overall growth, supported by broad gains across seven other provinces and the three territories.