Editor’s note: This is a summary of our 13th annual industry survey and our 43rd annual report on the state of the Canadian pool industry, including statistical information and market analysis. Information is based on Pool & Spa Marketing’s reader survey results, as well as Statistics Canada’s building permit records for swimming pools, with an overview of new pool permits for census metropolitan areas (CMAs). The figures are conservative and do not reflect many of the rural areas that do not require building permits for pool construction.
By Jason Cramp
With the introduction of provincial lockdowns, closures, and stay-at-home orders over the course of the pandemic’s two waves in 2020, it forced many families to change their way of living, their spending habits, and their overall outlook on what is important to them. The situation in 2021 was not much different, as the virus’s ability to mutate and quickly spread across the globe resulted in two additional waves. Since gyms, pubs, clubs, and restaurants were closed, and restrictions on global travel made the ability to hop on a plane for a change of scenery quite difficult, people’s homes became their havens. As witnessed in 2020, a huge component of making one’s home not only a place to work, but also a place to play was the installation of a pool—so much so, this demand flooded into 2021.
| Region | Permit registrations |
| Canada | 22,518 |
| Alberta | 200 |
| British Columbia | 968 |
| Manitoba | 382 |
| New Brunswick | 175 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 13 |
| Nova Scotia | 55 |
| Ontario | 4604 |
| Prince Edward Island | 30 |
| Quebec | 16,048 |
| Saskatchewan | 43 |
Although the pandemic’s behaviour altered over the past two years, and the fallout will be measured for years to come, many adapted to this different way of living. That said, in 2021, labour markets started returning to pre-pandemic levels, government stimulus measures eased, and consumer confidence heading into the year reached its highest level since March 2020.
