Northern Ontario Construction News staff writer
Greater Sudbury’s construction sector is riding a wave of investment, with the city reporting more than $166 million in building permits issued during the first half of 2025.
According to the latest economic bulletin, residential building demand remains strong with 603 permits issued for new housing, while the industrial, commercial and institutional (ICI) sector continues to gain momentum with 164 permits issued, representing a construction value exceeding $98 million.
Population growth is driving much of the activity. Statistics Canada now estimates Greater Sudbury’s census metropolitan area population at 192,000. To support the growth, new immigration pilot programs and campaigns have been started to attract skilled workers, along with bolstering local health care through the addition of 25 medical professionals and new facilities.
High-profile projects are also shaping the local development landscape. Site preparation is underway for the downtown event centre, while construction on the Cultural Hub at Tom Davies Square is expected to begin this fall. Both projects are expected to boost job creation, enhance the city’s cultural infrastructure and attract further private-sector investment.
“Residential growth and major institutional investments are reshaping our community, and we’re seeing strong confidence from both public and private sectors,” the City noted in its mid-year update.
For contractors, builders and developers, the numbers point to sustained opportunity across multiple sectors. Residential construction and large-scale ICI projects will fuel steady demand for skilled trades, materials and professional services into 2026 and beyond.
The full economic bulletin for the first six months of 2025 is available at investsudbury.ca
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