Canadian investment in new housing construction increased 5.9 percent to C$5.1 billion (US$3.8 billion) in September compared with the same month in 2015, according to Statistics Canada.
Nationally, the increase was led by higher spending on single-family dwellings, which rose 8.2 percent year over year to C$2.6 billion (US$1.9 billion) in September. This marked the eighth consecutive month of year-over-year advances. Gains were also reported in spending on apartment buildings – +2.8 percent to C$1.8 billion (US$1.3 billion) and row houses – +8.7% to C$484 million (US$359.5 million).
In contrast, investment in semi-detached dwellings edged down 0.2 percent from September 2015 to C$226 million (US$167.9 million).
At the provincial level, advances in new housing construction were reported in four provinces, led by British Columbia and Ontario.
British Columbia recorded higher spending on all dwelling types in September, up 35.3 percent compared with the same month a year earlier to C$1.1 billion (US$817.1 million). The gain was largely attributable to higher investment in apartment building and single-family dwelling construction.
In Ontario, investment in new residential construction rose 15.3 percent year over year to C$2.1 billion (US$1.6 billion) in September. The increase resulted from higher spending on all four dwelling types, with single-family dwellings accounting for most of the gain.
Investment in new housing construction was down in six provinces in September compared with September 2015, with Alberta registering the largest decrease.
In Alberta, spending fell 29 percent from the same month in 2015 to C$681 million (US$505.9 million) in September, the 15th consecutive month of year-over-year declines. All dwelling types contributed to lower investment in new housing construction, with investment in apartment buildings and single-family dwellings accounting for most of the decrease.
