Canada’s investment in building construction rose to $23.6 billion in April, driven by stronger residential construction activity, particularly in multi-unit housing projects.
The value of building construction investment increased by $540.8 million, or 2.3 percent, from March. Residential construction accounted for most of the gain, while non-residential investment posted a modest increase. Compared with April 2025, total investment was up 7.8 percent.
Residential building investment climbed 3.1 percent to $16.5 billion. Spending on multi-unit projects increased by $338.8 million, or 4.0 percent, to reach $8.8 billion. British Columbia recorded the largest increase, with investment rising by $231.2 million. Four other provinces and two territories also reported gains.
Investment in single-family home construction rose by $153.1 million, or 2.0 percent, to $7.7 billion. Quebec led the increase with a gain of $136 million, followed by Ontario at $83.8 million. Those increases were partly offset by declines in seven provinces and one territory. British Columbia posted the largest drop, down $23.1 million.
The non-residential sector edged up 0.7 percent to $7.1 billion in April.
Industrial construction recorded the strongest increase among non-residential categories, rising 3.5 percent to $1.4 billion. Ontario contributed the largest gain at $25.8 million, followed by British Columbia at $16.4 million and Alberta at $5.2 million. Six provinces and two territories reported increases.
Commercial construction investment was little changed, increasing by $4.1 million, or 0.1 percent, to $3.5 billion. Alberta and British Columbia posted gains that were partly offset by declines in Ontario and Quebec.
Institutional construction investment slipped by $3.9 million, or 0.2 percent, to $2.2 billion. Lower spending in Quebec, Manitoba and Nova Scotia outweighed an increase in Ontario.
After adjusting for inflation, total investment in building construction increased 2.2 percent from March to $21.5 billion in constant dollars. On a year-over-year basis, constant-dollar investment was up 4.5 percent.
The April figures follow a decline in building permits earlier this year and indicate that construction activity remains concentrated in the residential sector. Multi-unit developments continue to account for a growing share of new construction spending, while growth in commercial and institutional projects remains limited.
Residential construction represented roughly 70 percent of all building investment in April, underscoring the sector’s importance to overall construction activity as housing demand continues to support new development in several major markets.