The number of building permits issued across Canada in October dropped 0.2 per cent from September. The decrease was mainly attributed to lower construction intentions for industrial and institutional buildings. In total, $8.1 billion worth of permits were issued.
The value of non-residential building permits fell seven percent in October to $2.9 billion – with eight provinces posting declines, most notably in B.C. Only $439 million worth of building permits were issued in B.C., a decrease of 29.9 percent from the previous month and the third consecutive monthly decrease.
The value of institutional building permits was down 8.7 per cent in October to $733 million after posting an increase of 16.7 per cent the previous month. On the commercial side, $1.7 billion worth of building permits were issued in October, up 2.2 percent from September.
In the residential sector, the value of building permits increased 4.2 percent from the previous month to $5.2 billion, with both multi-family and single-family dwellings posting gains. Municipalities approved 20,017 new dwellings in October, up 4.1 per cent from September.
Across the country, building permits were down in five provinces with Quebec recording the largest decline. However, the value of building permits rose in 22 of the 36 census metropolitan areas, led by Toronto.
The tornadoes that hit Ottawa and Gatineau on Sept. 21 had a notable effect on the number of demolition permits issued in the area. On an unadjusted basis, the demolition of 70 residential units was approved in Ottawa with around 20 per cent of the demolitions related to tornado damage.