Building Construction grew in April

Investment in building construction saw a significant year-over-year increase of 7.8% in April 2026, reaching a total value of $23.6 billion. This growth was primarily driven by the residential sector, which outpaced the non-residential sector with a 3.1% monthly gain. These figures, released by Statistics Canada, highlight a resilient construction market despite varying performance across different provinces and sub-sectors.

According to the latest data from Statistics Canada, total investment in building construction rose by $540.8 million in April 2026, representing a 2.3% increase from the previous month. This growth brought the total monthly investment to $23.6 billion, a substantial 7.8% rise compared to the same period the previous year. The residential sector was the primary driver of this upward trend, posting a 3.1% increase, while the non-residential sector remained relatively stable with a modest 0.7% gain.

Within the residential sector, both multi-unit and single-family components contributed to the overall growth. British Columbia emerged as a leader in the multi-unit segment, driving significant investment in that category. However, the single-family home construction market showed mixed results across the country; while Quebec and Ontario experienced growth in this area, these gains were partially offset by declines in seven other provinces, with British Columbia seeing the most notable decrease in single-family investment.

The non-residential sector reached a total value of $7.1 billion in April, an increase of $49 million. Performance within this sector was varied, as the industrial component saw a robust 3.5% increase and the commercial component edged up by 0.1%. These gains were slightly tempered by a 0.2% decline in the institutional component. For the broader construction industry, these figures indicate a period of steady investment, particularly in industrial and multi-unit residential projects, even as institutional spending faces minor contractions.