5,400 more construction jobs—more growth predicted

January 8, 2020

Canada’s construction industry added 5,400 jobs from October to November of 2019— but this may pale in comparison to potential job creation in 2020. According to the ADP National Employment Report, Canada saw a total increase of 30,900 jobs in the October to November period.
The construction uptick was impressive in comparison to other industries. ADP noted only 500 jobs were added in the manufacturing sector, for example, and the natural resources and mining sector lost 2,000 positions in the same period, while the finance and real estate sector shed 2,800 workers.
The public sector had the largest increase with education and health care accounting for 18,700 new jobs—equal to more than half the total new jobs created in the month-long period.
“November experienced gains in nine of the 14 industries, following a pause in October’s labour market,” said Ahu Yildirmaz, vice president and co-head of the ADP Research Institute. “November’s growth reflected employment increases in trade/transportation and utilities, construction, as well as healthcare and education.”
But 2020 could see construction employment expanding according to industry consulting firm BTY, which is forecasting a robust year, especially in Ontario, B.C. and Quebec.
BTY’s Market Intelligence Report said December 30 that, despite an expected global economic slowdown, construction hiring would be strong in Canada.
For 2020, BTY is forecasting escalation in Ontario construction spending (up 6 to 7 per cent), B.C. (5 to 6 per cent) and Quebec (4 to 5 per cent), with low to moderate escalation of 1 to 2 percent in each of Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba, and as high as 1 per cent in the Atlantic provinces.
The largest private sector investment ever in Canada’s history, the $40-billion LNG Canada development, is anchoring B.C.’s sustained building boom, while strong commercial and industrial activity, a resilient housing sector and major infrastructure projects are fuelling Ontario’s construction industry, according to BTY.