Climbing costs of construction in Canada: The impact of weather and labour shortage

Canadian construction costs have been on a steady incline since the onset of the pandemic, with various elements contributing to this trend. A recent study from RBC has highlighted that the residential construction price index in the country has risen 51 per cent compared to pre-pandemic figures, throwing a wrench into Canada's plans to achieve its housing objectives.

According to the report, prime building materials, including steel and concrete, have experienced a price surge of over 50 per cent since the pandemic began. This increase is largely due to extreme weather conditions and factory closures that have put a strain on supplies and caused a surge in prices.

However, the rise in construction costs is not solely due to expensive materials. The study indicates that municipal development fees have also seen a yearly surge of up to 30 per cent in various regions of Canada.

The RBC report also points to a significant labour shortage in the industry, causing wage growth in construction to outpace other sectors at 9.4 per cent in 2022. This workforce imbalance is another crucial factor inflating the overall cost of construction.

The burgeoning cost pressures are already being felt in the construction sector. Recent data from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation show a 23 per cent drop in new housing projects in May, with Vancouver and Montreal recording 45 and 35 per cent declines, respectively.

This situation comes as Canada witnesses record immigration numbers and an intensifying housing crisis. In the first quarter of 2023, Statistics Canada noted that the country saw an influx of 292,232 newcomers, primarily immigrants. Moreover, Canada's population grew by over one million in 2022 alone, the first time such a number has been recorded in a year.

Efforts to boost construction have been a key part of Canada's strategy to improve housing affordability. In 2022, the CMHC stated that 5.8 million new homes would need to be built by 2030 to make housing affordable for all Canadians.

In the 2023 federal budget, the government announced a $4 billion housing acceleration plan with the target of constructing 100,000 new homes annually over the next five years. However, provincial plans have set even more ambitious targets.

In conclusion, as Canada continues to grapple with record immigration and a booming population, the escalating construction costs due to material pricing, climate-related disruptions, and labour shortages pose a significant challenge to the nation's housing affordability plans. Thus, a robust response from all levels of government is needed to alleviate the housing crunch and build a sustainable future.

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Climbing costs of construction in Canada: The impact of weather and labour shortage

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