---
title: "Winter 2026 Construction Monitors: What to Watch in B.C. and Alberta"
description: Winter 2026 Construction Monitors for B.C. and Alberta reveal economic forecasts, key sector indicators, and strategic insights for planning and budgeting in the construction industry.
---

[Economics Blog ](https://icba.ca/economics-blog)

# [Winter 2026 Construction Monitors: What to Watch in B.C. and Alberta](https://icba.ca/economics-blog/winter-2026-construction-monitors-what-to-watch-in-b.c.-and-alberta)

 Written by [Jock Finlayson](https://icba.ca/economics-blog/author/jock-finlayson) | Jan 21, 2026 6:49:15 PM

ICBA Economics has released the **Winter 2026 Construction Monitors** for **British Columbia** and **Alberta**—two quick, data-rich snapshots of what’s happening now in construction (and what’s coming next). Each Monitor pairs **analysis by ICBA Chief Economist Jock Finlayson** with key sector indicators you can use for planning, bidding, and budgeting.

Below are the headline takeaways—and links to read the full reports.

## B.C.: “Choppy waters” in 2026

B.C.’s construction economy is facing another tough year. ICBA Economics forecasts **real GDP growth of just 1.1% in 2026**, alongside a weaker job market and higher unemployment—conditions that usually mean **tighter bidding and more price pressure**.

[As ICBA President & CEO **Chris Gardner** put it:](https://icba.ca/bc-blog/b.c.s-economy-stuck-as-housing-starts-fall-off-a-cliff?province=BC) **“A 1.1% economy isn’t real growth or even a recovery – it’s essentially a flatline.”**

**Three Takeaways for Your Construction Company (B.C.)**

1. **Plan for an anemic year:** **1.1% growth** signals tougher competition and slower private-sector decisions.
2. **Housing is the big warning light:** starts are forecast to fall **42,200 → 34,500** in 2026—especially important for multi-family and Lower Mainland work.
3. **Don’t ignore the upside:** B.C.’s **major project inventory is enormous**—**$385B** total, with **$176B** under construction—and ICBA notes a **$350B+** pipeline that could support energy/mining/infrastructure opportunity.

[**Read the Winter 2026 B.C. Construction Monitor**](https://icba.ca/hubfs/B.C.%20Construction%20Monitor%20Winter%202026.pdf?province=BC)

## Alberta: near the top of the growth leaderboard

Alberta’s outlook remains stronger than most of Canada’s. ICBA Economics forecasts **2.3% real GDP growth in 2026** and **unemployment easing to 6.7%**—a steadier environment for many parts of the construction market.

[ICBA Alberta President **Mike Martens** summed it up this way:](https://icba.ca/ab-blog/alberta-set-for-2.3-growth-even-as-housing-starts-cool?province=BC) **“Alberta’s outlook is the envy of much of the country…”**

**Three Takeaways for Your Construction Company (Alberta)**

1. **Steadier demand:** **2.3% growth** with unemployment at **6.7%** usually supports firmer pricing power than most of Canada.
2. **Residential cools—but doesn’t collapse:** housing starts are forecast to cool **55,800 → 46,000** after a “supercharged” 2025, meaning a less frantic market but still a solid baseline.
3. **Big-project scale remains massive:** Alberta’s major projects inventory sits at **$166B**, with **$71B** under construction, and construction accounts for **8.2%** of Alberta’s GDP.

[**Read the Winter 2026 Alberta Construction Monitor**](https://icba.ca/hubfs/AB%20Construction%20Monitor%20Winter%202026.pdf?province=BC)

[View full post](https://icba.ca/economics-blog/winter-2026-construction-monitors-what-to-watch-in-b.c.-and-alberta)

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