Hiring Forecast by Region

The Lower Mainland construction market experienced a sharp decline in residential and commercial activity in 2020. New housing was hit hardest, as housing starts retreated by one-quarter (-25%) from the highs reached in 2019, but sector employment was shielded from big declines by ongoing construction of the large number of apartment and condo projects already under construction.

Overall, non-residential market demands recorded a small rise, as construction on several major projects in the region either started or ramped up in 2020. These projects included hospitals, schools, the Pattullo Bridge replacement, and Millennium Line (Broadway).

Residential construction, which accounted for more than two-thirds of total employment in 2020, will continue to dominate industry employment in the Lower Mainland over the coming decade. Total construction employment is projected to rise to a peak in 2024

The Vancouver Island region experienced a modest slowdown in construction activity in 2020. Although a recovery in commercial activity is expected to shore up demands over 2021, a material rise in construction activity is not expected until 2022, when a recovery in new-home construction coincides with the expected start of major health care and education projects.

Total construction employment is expected to grow by 13% between 2021 and 2024 before receding moderately in line with weaker housing demands. Between 2020 and 2030, construction employment is projected to rise by 1,600 workers (+6%). Growing demands are exacerbated by the need to replace an estimated 7,845 workers expected to retire from the regional construction labour force over the decade.

Source:  Buildforce Canada Forecast Summary Reports

Additional information on construction activities in specific regions can be found at: