Trend lines of construction starts in Canada - March 2016

The accompanying chart shows the trend lines of construction starts in Canada as of March 2016.

This chart looks at 12-month moving totals of the two major non-residential building categories in Canada − total ICI starts and engineering work. ICI stands for industrial, commercial and institutional.

The prominent jumps in the engineering curve reflect such mega project starts as Horizon Oil Sands work in Alberta (March 2005), the Eastmain 1-A hydroelectric power project in northern Québec (June 2007), the Kearl Oil Sands Project in Alberta (April 2010), the Firebag 4 SAGD Oil Sands project in Alberta (June 2011) and the Voyageur heavy oil processing plant Alberta (August 2011).

In May 2010, the ICI curve shot upward due to the McGill University medical centre project in Montreal.

In March 2012, Alcan’s modernization project in Kitimat was initiated.