According to Statistics Canada, investment in non-residential building construction declined for the fifth consecutive quarter, down 1.6 percent from the previous quarter to $12.5 billion in the first quarter. Nationally, the decrease was a result of lower spending in all three components, with commercial buildings accounting for most of the decline.
Non-residential building construction spending was down in eight provinces, with Alberta posting the largest decline and Quebec a distant second. Additionally, non-residential building construction spending fell in 22 of the 34 census metropolitan areas in the first quarter, led by Edmonton, followed by Montréal, Winnipeg and Calgary.
Investment in commercial building construction fell 1.8 percent to $7.2 billion in the first quarter, marking a fifth consecutive quarterly drop. Investment was down in seven provinces, with declines spread across several commercial construction categories.
Investment in industrial building construction decreased 2.5 percent to $1.8 billion in the first quarter. This fifth consecutive quarterly decline was attributable to lower spending in most industrial building categories.
Following seven quarterly gains, spending in the institutional component edged down 0.9 percent to $3.5 billion in the first quarter. The decline was a result of lower spending on the construction of educational institutions and medical facilities, which more than offset increased investment in nursing homes and government buildings.