Apartments drive construction spending in May

OTTAWA — Total investment in building construction increased 2.2% in May to $15.2 billion, according to StatCan. A 2.8% gain in the residential sector (to $10.4 billion) led the increase, while the non-residential sector edged up 0.9% to $4.8 billion. Investment in multi-unit dwellings rose 7.6% in May to $5.5 billion, while investment in single-unit dwellings declined 2.2% to $4.9 billion. Growth in multi-unit dwelling investment was led by higher investment in B.C., which accounted for approximately three-quarters of the national increase.