The value of Canadian building permits issued by municipalities decreased 0.3 percent to C$6.9 billion (US$5.4 billion) in April, marking the second consecutive monthly decline, according to Statistics Canada. The decrease was largely the result of lower construction intentions in Ontario, Quebec and Nova Scotia.
In the non-residential sector, the value of building permits was up 2.5 percent to C$2.5 billion (US$2 billion) in April, following a 21.4 percent drop the previous month. The increase was the result of higher construction intentions for institutional and commercial buildings. Gains were posted in six provinces, with Alberta responsible for most of the increase.
The value of residential permits declined 1.8 percent to C$4.3 billion (US$3.4 billion) in April, following a 21.4 percent drop the previous month. The increase was the result of higher construction intentions for institutional and commercial buildings. Gains were posted in six provinces, with Alberta responsible for most of the increase.
Two of the components of the non-residential sector increased in April, led by institutional buildings.
The value of institutional building permits was up 15.4 percent to C$695 million (US$547.4 million) in April, after posting a 10.5 percent decline the previous month. Higher construction intentions for universities and other government buildings contributed to the advance. Gains in Alberta offset declines observed in four provinces, led by Ontario.
In the commercial component, the value of permits was up 2.5 percent to C$1.5 billion (US$1.2 billion) in April, following a 26.9 percent decline in March. The advance was largely the result of higher construction intentions for recreational facilities, distribution warehouses and research centers. Gains were reported in seven provinces, led by Ontario and Manitoba.
The value of industrial building permits fell for a third consecutive month, down 16.5 percent to C$346 million (US$272.5 million) in April, the lowest level since October 2013. Lower construction intentions for manufacturing plants and transportation-related structures led the decline. Decreases were reported in eight provinces, led by Ontario.
In the residential sector, the value of permits in the multi-family dwellings component declined 6.2 percent to C$1.9 billion (US$1.5 billion) in April, the third drop in four months. Decreases were posted in seven provinces, led by Ontario, where the decline followed a 31.6 percent increase the previous month. Quebec and Nova Scotia followed a distant second and third. In contrast, multi-family dwelling construction intentions in Alberta increased significantly.
The value of permits for single-family dwellings was up 1.8 percent to C$2.5 billion (US$2 billion) in April, a third consecutive monthly increase. Compared with the same month in 2015, the value of permits was relatively unchanged in April. Advances were widely spread among half the provinces. Alberta and New Brunswick led the increase, while Manitoba posted the largest decline.
Municipalities approved the construction of 16,232 new dwellings in April, up 3 percent from the previous month. The increase was led by multi-family dwellings, which advanced 1.6 percent to 10,202 new units. Single-family homes were up 5.6 percent to 6,030 new units.
In April, half the provinces posted lower construction intentions, led by Ontario, followed distantly by Quebec and Nova Scotia. Conversely, Alberta reported the largest gain.
The value of permits in Ontario was down 9.2 percent in April, following two consecutive monthly gains. Every component posted a decline, with the exception of commercial buildings. The decrease was mainly attributable to lower construction intentions for multi-family dwellings, institutional structures and industrial buildings. The value of permits for multi-family dwellings fell 20.1 percent in April, following a 31.6 percent increase the previous month.
In Quebec, the value of permits declined 4.9 percent in April, after increasing the two previous months. The decrease was attributable to lower construction intentions for multi-family dwellings and, to a lesser extent, industrial buildings. All other components posted advances.
Construction intentions in Nova Scotia fell 45.6 percent in April, following a 62 percent increase in March. Every component recorded lower permit values, led by multi-family dwellings, institutional structures and commercial buildings.
In Alberta, the value of building permits increased 27.7 percent in April. The advance was largely attributable to multi-family dwellings and institutional structures.
In April, the value of building permits was down in half of the 34 census metropolitan areas. The largest declines were registered in Toronto and Hamilton, while Calgary posted the largest advance.
The value of building permits in Toronto was down 11 percent in April, marking a second consecutive monthly decline. For the first time since February 2014, lower construction intentions were observed in every component. The decrease was led by commercial building and multi-family dwelling construction.
In Hamilton, the value of construction permits was down 61.1 percent to in April, following significant increases the previous two months. The decline was led by lower construction intentions for multi-family dwellings and single-family homes.
In contrast, Calgary posted the largest gain in the value of building permits issued in April, up 76 percent from March. Higher construction intentions for multi-family dwellings, institutional structures and commercial buildings contributed to the advance.
