Statscan - The composite price index for non-residential building construction decreased 1.5% in the third quarter compared with the previous quarter. As was the case in the second quarter, the decline in the third quarter was mostly the result of heightened competitive conditions due to a weaker non-residential building construction market, most notably in Western Canada.

Among the seven census metropolitan areas (CMAs) surveyed, Vancouver (-4.4%) recorded the largest quarterly decrease while Montréal (+0.7%) had the only increase.

Year-over-year, the composite price index for non-residential building construction was down 10.0%. Of the CMAs surveyed, Vancouver (-19.4%) recorded the largest decrease while Montréal (+2.0%) had the only advance.

Note: In the fourth quarter of 2008, the five building models used in the calculation of non-residential building construction price indexes were replaced with updated models. Also, the base year was changed to 2002=100.

The Non-residential Building Construction Price Index provides an indication of the changes in new construction costs in six census metropolitan areas or CMAs (Halifax, Montréal, Toronto, Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver) and the Ottawa part of the Ottawa–Gatineau CMA.

Three construction categories (industrial, commercial and institutional buildings) are represented by selected models (a light factory building, an office building, a warehouse, a shopping centre and a school). Besides the CMA and composite indexes, a further breakdown of the changes in costs is available by trade group (structural, architectural, mechanical and electrical) within the building types.

These price indexes are derived from surveys of general and special trade group contractors. They report data on various categories of costs (material, labour, equipment, taxes, overhead and profit) relevant to the detailed construction specifications included in the surveys.