After reported declines, the third quarter of 2013 saw an overall increase in non-residential building investment, thanks to growth in six provinces.
The increase in investments was up a total of 4.4 per cent to $13 billion, following a 2.7 per cent reported decline in the second quarter. Québec saw a substantial increase due to the end of the construction strike, which had been in effect since June. Alberta also experienced a significant increase due to more spending in the commercial, institutional, and industrial sectors. However, Edmonton reported a reduction in commercial and institutional investment.
Ontario saw the largest decline of 1.5 per cent, down to $2.8 billion. More specifically, Toronto had less spending in all three components, resulting in the city’s fourth consecutive decrease in investment.
