According to Statistics Canada, investment in non-residential building construction was down 0.6 percent from the previous quarter to $12.9 billion in the first quarter. This decline followed two consecutive quarterly gains and was largely attributable to lower spending in the construction of industrial and institutional buildings.

Spending in commercial building construction was up in five provinces, rising 0.8 percent to $7.9 billion in the first quarter. It was the third consecutive quarter of growth and was led by higher spending in the construction of office and recreational buildings.

In the institutional component, investment declined in eight provinces, falling 1.6 percent to $3.3 billion in the first quarter.

Investment in the industrial component decreased 5.4 percent to $1.7 billion in the first quarter. This was mainly the result of lower spending on the construction of maintenance buildings and primary industry buildings.