Canada’s building construction investment edged down 0.3% to $23.4 billion in May, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada. While lower residential construction spending weighed on overall investment, modest growth in the non-residential sector helped offset the decline. Compared to May 2025, total investment increased 5.9%, reflecting continued long-term growth in Canada’s construction industry.

Investment in residential building construction decreased 0.5% to $16.2 billion during May, driven primarily by weaker single-family home construction, which fell 1.9% to $7.4 billion. The largest provincial declines were recorded in New Brunswick and Quebec, with additional decreases across several provinces and territories.

In contrast, multi-unit residential construction continued to strengthen, increasing 0.7% to $8.8 billion. British Columbia, Ontario, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan posted notable gains, partially offsetting a significant decline in Alberta.

Investment in non-residential building construction rose 0.2% to $7.1 billion, supported by continued strength in the industrial sector.

Industrial construction investment increased 1.8% to $1.5 billion, led by growth in British Columbia and Ontario. Meanwhile, commercial construction investment slipped 0.2% to $3.5 billion, with declines in British Columbia and Ontario largely offset by gains in Quebec and Alberta.

Investment in institutional construction remained relatively stable, decreasing just 0.1% to $2.2 billion. Lower spending across most provinces and territories was largely balanced by stronger investment in Ontario.

On a constant dollar basis (2023=100), Canada’s total building construction investment declined 0.4% month over month but remained 3.1% higher than one year earlier, indicating continued underlying market resilience despite near-term headwinds.

The latest Statistics Canada data suggests Canada’s construction market remains mixed. Slowing single-family housing investment reflects ongoing affordability challenges and market uncertainty, while continued growth in multi-unit and industrial construction highlights sustained demand for higher-density housing and industrial development. As governments and private developers continue investing in infrastructure and economic growth, non-residential construction is expected to remain an important driver of Canada’s building sector.

Explore related articles you won’t want to miss:

Top Construction Technology Trends Transforming the Industry in 2026

How AI Is Transforming Construction Project Management

Smart Construction Sites: How IoT is Changing Jobsite Management

Digital Twins in Construction: Transforming Project Planning and Operations

Building Information Modeling (BIM): Driving the Future of Digital Construction

Robotics and Automation in Construction: Reshaping the Future of Jobsite Productivity

The Future of Connected Construction: Integrating AI, BIM, IoT, Digital Twins and Robotics

What Is BIM in Construction? A Practical Guide to Building Information Modeling

• 
•