According to Statistics Canada, municipalities issued $7.3 billion worth of building permits in August, up 10.4 percent from July. 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 $4.5 billion in August, following four consecutive monthly declines. Both residential components—multi-family and single-family dwellings—recorded gains.
In the non-residential sector, municipalities issued $2.9 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.
The value of permits for multi-family dwellings rose 14.7 percent to $1.9 billion in August. This was the third advance in four months. In the single-family dwelling component, municipalities issued $2.5 billion worth of building permits in August, up 6.0 percent from July.
In the commercial component, the value of permits was up 18.3 percent to $1.6 billion in August, a third consecutive monthly increase. Higher construction intentions for retail complexes and recreational buildings contributed to the gain.
The value of industrial permits rose 14.8 percent compared with July to $495 million in August. The increase stemmed from higher construction intentions for utilities buildings and, to a lesser extent, maintenance facilities.
Institutional construction intentions fell 1.1 percent to $800 million in August. Lower construction intentions for medical facilities were mainly responsible for the decrease.