Municipalities issued C$7.3 billion (US$5.5 billion) worth of building permits in August, up 10.4 percent from July, according to Statistics Canada. This marked the second consecutive monthly increase. The gain in August was mainly attributable to higher construction intentions in Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia.
The value of residential building permits was up 9.6 percent to C$4.5 billion (US$3.4 billion) in August, following four consecutive monthly declines. Both residential components—multi-family and single-family dwellings—recorded gains. Six provinces posted increases, led by Ontario and British Columbia.
In the non-residential sector, municipalities issued C$2.9 billion (US$2.2 billion) worth of permits in August, up 11.6 percent from July. The increase was mainly attributable to higher construction intentions for commercial buildings and, to a lesser extent, industrial buildings. Gains were reported in five provinces, led by Quebec, followed distantly by Manitoba.
The value of permits for multi-family dwellings rose 14.7 percent to C$1.9 billion (US$1.4 billion) in August. This was the third advance in four months. Higher construction intentions were reported in four provinces, led by British Columbia and Ontario. Alberta posted the largest decline.
In the single-family dwelling component, municipalities issued C$2.5 billion (US$1.9 billion) worth of building permits in August, up 6 percent from July. The increase stemmed mainly from higher construction intentions in Ontario and Alberta.
Municipalities approved the construction of 16,544 new dwelling in August, up 5.9 percent from the previous month. The rise was mainly attributable to multi-family dwellings, up 7.9 percent to 10,557 units. Single-family dwellings increased 2.5 percent to 5,987 units.
In the commercial component, the value of permits was up 18.3 percent to C$1.6 billion (US$1.2 billion) in August, a third consecutive monthly increase. Higher construction intentions for retail complexes and recreational buildings contributed to the gain. Seven provinces recorded advances, led by Ontario, Quebec and Alberta.
The value of industrial permits rose 14.8 percent compared with July to C$495 million (US$374.9 million) in August. The increase stemmed from higher construction intentions for utilities buildings and, to a lesser extent, maintenance facilities. Five provinces reported gains, led by Manitoba and Ontario.
Institutional construction intentions fell 1.1 percent to C$800 million (US$606 million) in August. Lower construction intentions for medical facilities were mainly responsible for the decrease. Eight provinces reported declines, led by Ontario and Alberta. Conversely, Quebec recorded the largest advance, which was mainly attributable to educational institutions.
The total value of building permits was up in eight provinces in August, led by Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia.
In Quebec, the value of building permits rose 20.6 percent to C$1.4 billion (US$1.1 billion) in August, the third increase in four months. Gains were posted in every non-residential component, led by institutional structures. However, the value of residential building permits fell 3.1 percent in the province, with both residential components recording decreases.
The value of permits in Ontario increased 7.2 percent to C$3.1 billion (US$2.3 billion) in August, a second consecutive monthly gain. All components registered advances, except institutional buildings, which had posted a notable increase in July. The overall rise was mainly attributable to higher construction intentions for multi-family dwellings, commercial buildings and single-family homes.
Following two monthly declines, the value of permits in British Columbia was up 15.9 percent to C$1.2 billion (US$908.9 million) in August. Higher construction intentions for multi-family dwellings more than offset decreases reported in every other component.
Conversely, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador posted declines. In Saskatchewan, the value of permits fell 7.7 percent to C$150 million (US$113.6 million) in August. The decrease stemmed mainly from multi-family dwellings, which were down following five consecutive monthly gains. Newfoundland and Labrador reported a 23.1 percent drop in the value of permits, a third consecutive monthly decline.
In August, the total value of building permits was up in 22 of the 34 census metropolitan areas. Montréal reported the largest increase, followed by Toronto.
The value of building permits in Montréal rose 65.6 percent to C$838 million (US$634.7 million) in August, following three consecutive monthly declines. Higher construction intentions were reported in every component, led by institutional and commercial buildings.
In Toronto, the value of permits was up 9.7 percent to C$1.7 billion (US$1.3 billion) in August, a third consecutive monthly increase. Higher construction intentions for commercial buildings, multi-family dwellings and single-family homes led the advance.
In contrast, the value of permits in Ottawa dropped 25.7 percent to C$257 million (US$194.7 million) in August, following a 60.9 percent increase the previous month. Decreases were widespread among all components, except industrial buildings, which recorded a 36.3 percent gain.
