Construction activity declined in 2003

Results are in for the overall construction activity in Canada during 2003.
The Canadian construction industry lost ground overall by 8% compared to 2002, according to figures compiled by CanaData. CanaData is a statistics-gathering agency that is part of Reed Construction Data Canada.
Based on construction start figures, CanaData’s analysis found that in dollar values the best performers were in the commercial sector, which showed a 21% improvement in office buildings, and an astonishing 85% increase in stores.
Most active in the engineering sector were the constructors of water and sewage works. The sector increased 54% over the previous year.
Overall, however, engineering lost ground by 18%. An especially poor performer was oil and gas, down -78% from 2002.
Road construction decreased 4% and industrial plant construction decreased by 35%. Institutional building was relatively healthy, showing an overall 8% gain.