Ottawa, ON − Despite a strong second quarter in June, the total value of building permits in Canada decreased 3.9 per cent to $9.9 billion in July, as reported by Statistics Canada. All provinces except British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador posted lower values, with Alberta reporting the majority of the national decline, down 23.4 per cent.
Residential permits
For the residential sector, seven provinces reported declines, with Ontario recording the highest decrease (down 10.5 per cent). In addition, Ontario recorded the highest decrease in single-family permits, down 9.1 per cent. Overall, the single-family permits fell 9.6 per cent, and only two provinces recorded growths.
Construction intentions for multi-family units rose 2.7 per cent in July, with British Columbia posting the highest increase at 55.1 per cent. In contrast, Ontario reversed strong growth in June (up 67.6 per cent) and fell 11.7 per cent in July.
Non-residential permits
Despite Ontario’s strong growth of 17.3 per cent, non-residential permit declined 5.6 per cent to $2.9 billion in July. Seven provinces were down, with Alberta reporting the largest decrease, down 46.9 per cent.
For a third consecutive month, institutional permits decreased to $718 million and eight provinces reported lower values. Quebec recorded the majority of the decline, down 36.8 per cent, due to multiple high-valued permits issued for alternative care and senior homes. In comparison, Ontario saw a 60 per cent increase, with projects such as the Linhaven nursing home and a new secondary school in St. Catherines–Niagara.
Following a notable increase in June, Alberta’s commercial permits fell 45.5 per cent in July. The decline in Alberta and six other provinces pulled the value of commercial permits at the national level down 6.9 per cent to $1.6 billion.
On the contrary, the value of industrial permits was up 17.6 per cent to $612 million, with half the provinces reporting growth. Quebec led the increase followed by Nova Scotia.