91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ

Skip to content

Construction spending could rebound next year amid government support, report says

Government stimulus spending could help the construction industry find its footing next year
23770600_web1_2020122909128-5feb38da96b67b13053fff3ajpeg
A worker smooths concrete at a residential housing construction site in Toronto, Thursday, Jan. 16, 2020. Consultants at BTY say construction activity could pick up next year in many provinces, amid anticipated spending on infrastructure and renewable energy.THE CANADIAN PRESS/Cole Burston

Consultants at BTY Group say construction activity could pick up next year across the country amid anticipated spending on infrastructure and renewable energy.

The international consulting firm says it predicts construction costs will rise three per cent to five per cent in 2021 for Ontario, British Columbia, and Quebec, with lower spending levels in Alberta and Manitoba amid new restrictions from the COVID-19 pandemic.

Meanwhile, BTY estimates that construction costs in Saskatchewan and Atlantic Canada could be flat or rise up to two per cent, as low interest rates offset rising oil and lumber prices.

The consultancy says there is uncertainty around home construction, given this year91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s drop in immigration and foreign investment during the pandemic.

But BTY91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s report also says government stimulus spending could help the construction industry find its footing next year.

BTY pointed to the federal government91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ™s growth plan, which calls for a $10 billion investment in renewable energy, broadband infrastructure, building retrofits, agriculture irrigation and electric vehicle charging stations.

READ MORE:

The Canadian Press


Like us on and follow us on .

Want to support local journalism during the pandemic? Make a donation





(or

91ÂãÁÄÊÓƵ

) document.head.appendChild(flippScript); window.flippxp = window.flippxp || {run: []}; window.flippxp.run.push(function() { window.flippxp.registerSlot("#flipp-ux-slot-ssdaw212", "Black Press Media Standard", 1281409, [312035]); }); }