Canadian Construction Permit Value Slips 2.3% in July 2012

In July, the total value of permits declined in six provinces, led by Ontario, followed by Saskatchewan and Alberta.

After two consecutive monthly gains, Ontario recorded the largest decrease, mainly as a result of lower construction intentions for multi-family dwellings, institutional and industrial buildings.

The decline in Saskatchewan, which was the second in a row, originated from residential, institutional and industrial buildings. Even so, the total value of permits in Saskatchewan was 10.3% higher than the monthly average in 2011. Alberta's drop was attributable to institutional and commercial buildings, as well as multi-family dwellings.

British Columbia posted the largest gain, a result of growth in the value of permits for commercial buildings and multi-family dwellings. The gain in Newfoundland and Labrador was mainly attributable to higher construction intentions for commercial buildings and single-family dwellings.

In Quebec, the value of permits for industrial and institutional buildings was behind the increase, while in New Brunswick, gains were reported in institutional and commercial buildings, and single-family dwellings.

Most metro areas down

The total value of permits fell in 24 of the 34 census metropolitan areas.

Toronto and Regina registered the largest decreases. In Toronto, the decline was primarily attributable to lower construction intentions for residential and institutional buildings. Regina's decrease originated from multi-family dwellings and institutional buildings.

The largest advance occurred in Vancouver and Montréal. In Vancouver, the gain was the result of growth in the value of permits for commercial buildings and multi-family dwellings. In Montréal, the advance was attributable to a large extent to multi-family dwellings and industrial buildings.

Links to permit data by province and metro area