Saskatchewan is outpacing the rest of the country when it comes to growth in building construction, according to newly released figures from Statistics Canada.
The province recorded a 27.8 percent increase in building construction investment in March 2025 compared to the same month last year, the highest growth rate among all provinces.
This surge comes as the rest of Canada struggles to keep pace with rising demand for housing. Nationally, housing starts have remained flat for decades, despite Canada’s population growth tripling since the 1970s.
Residential and Non-Residential Construction on the Rise
Saskatchewan’s investment increase includes strong gains in both residential and non-residential construction. Residential investment jumped 29.8 percent, while non-residential projects rose 24.2 percent compared to March 2024.
“It is clear Saskatchewan remains the destination of choice, whether for business or for those looking to put down roots here,” said Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding. “The continued growth in building construction is leading to more jobs and opportunities for Saskatchewan people.”
National Trends Show a Stark Contrast
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The province’s momentum stands in contrast to national housing trends. According to a report by the Fraser Institute, Canada’s housing starts have barely increased since the 1970s, despite record immigration in recent years.
In 2024, Canada added more than 950,000 new residents, yet only 245,367 housing units were started. That figure is lower than the peak of 273,203 units recorded nearly 50 years ago in 1976. This also coincides with home sales in Canada decreasing drastically compared to 2024.
The report warns that without a significant acceleration in homebuilding or a slowdown in population growth, Canada’s housing affordability crisis will continue to worsen.
Economic Confidence Fuelling Growth
Saskatchewan’s economic performance may be contributing to its strong construction activity. The province’s real GDP hit $80.5 billion in 2024, a 3.4 percent increase that ranked second nationally and doubled the Canadian average.
Private capital investment also surged by 17.3 percent last year and is projected to grow another 10.1 percent in 2025, reaching $16.2 billion.
The Government of Saskatchewan credits its investment strategy – Securing the Next Decade of Growth – and the InvestSK.ca platform for attracting interest from both developers and new residents.
While national housing numbers remain stagnant, Saskatchewan appears to be bucking the trend. With continued focus on investment, infrastructure and economic diversification, the province is positioning itself as a national leader in construction and development.
For businesses and residents alike, Saskatchewan’s current growth offers a rare combination of opportunity and affordability, something increasingly difficult to find in Canada’s larger housing markets, especially when taking the recent U.S. tariffs into account.
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