Building Permits Up 14.8% in June

Economy 1

The total value of building permits rose 14.8% to $7.7 billion in June, following a 13.9% decrease in May. The increase in June was mainly attributable to higher construction intentions for multi-family dwellings in Quebec, Alberta and Ontario, as well as institutional buildings in Alberta and commercial buildings in British Columbia.The value of permits was up in every province except Saskatchewan in June. Alberta, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia registered the largest increases.
Chart 1: Total value of permits

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Construction intentions in the residential sector increased 15.9% to $4.6 billion in June, following a 13.2% decline the previous month. Gains were posted in nine provinces, led by Quebec, Alberta and Ontario. British Columbia registered a slight decrease.
In the non-residential sector, the value of permits rose 13.2% to $3.2 billion. Gains were posted in five provinces, led by Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario. Manitoba, Quebec and Saskatchewan registered the largest declines following large increases in May.
Residential sector: notable increase in construction intentions for multi-family dwellings
After two consecutive monthly declines, construction intentions for multi-family dwellings rose 36.9% to $2.2 billion in June. Higher construction intentions for apartment and apartment-condominium projects in Quebec, Alberta and Ontario contributed most to the gain at the national level. British Columbia had a small decline following a 17.4% increase the previous month.
The value of building permits for single-family dwellings rose 1.6% to $2.4 billion in June. Advances were posted in eight provinces, with New Brunswick, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Ontario recording the largest gains. Alberta registered a second consecutive monthly decrease in the value of permits for single-family dwellings.
Canadian municipalities approved the construction of 17,609 new dwellings in June, up 13.7% from May. This increase was mostly attributable to multi-family dwellings, which rose 20.3% to 11,785 units. The number of single-family dwellings increased 2.2% to 5,824 units.

Economy 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-residential sector: increases in the institutional and industrial components
Canadian municipalities issued $1.1 billion worth of institutional building permits in June, up 30.9% from May. The value of institutional building permits rose in six provinces. Alberta accounted for most of the gain, the result of higher construction intentions for educational institutions, and library and museum buildings. Manitoba and Quebec registered the largest decreases in the institutional component following gains the previous month.
In the industrial component, the value of permits rose 29.1% to $535 million, the fourth increase in five months. There were gains in six provinces, led by Quebec and Ontario, where the advances were mainly attributable to higher construction intentions for maintenance and utilities buildings.

The value of permits for commercial buildings decreased 1.3% to $1.5 billion, following three consecutive monthly gains. Lower construction intentions for recreational buildings, office buildings and laboratories more than offset increased intentions for retail complexes, and hotels and restaurants. Quebec, Saskatchewan and New Brunswick registered the biggest decline, while British Columbia recorded the largest increase in this component.
Provinces: Alberta, Quebec, Ontario and British Columbia post large gains

The value of permits rose in every province except Saskatchewan. Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia registered the largest increases.
The gain in Alberta occurred as a result of higher construction intentions for institutional structures and multi-family dwellings. In Quebec, the advance came mostly from increased intentions for multi-family dwellings.
In Ontario, the increase was the result of higher construction intentions for residential buildings, mainly multi-family dwellings and industrial buildings. In British Columbia, the gain originated from all three non-residential components, particularly commercial projects.

The total value of building permits in Nova Scotia rose 58.2% to $152 million. The gain in June was the result of higher construction intentions for residential buildings, principally multi-family dwellings.
Saskatchewan was the lone province to register declines, as a result of lower construction intentions for commercial projects and, to a lesser degree, industrial buildings.
Higher construction intentions in most census metropolitan areas

The total value of building permits was up in 24 of the 34 census metropolitan areas in June, with Calgary, Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver posting the largest increases.
In Calgary, the increase resulted mostly from higher construction intentions for institutional buildings and multi-family dwellings. In Montréal, the advance came mainly from multiple dwellings and industrial buildings, while in Toronto, multi-family dwellings and institutional buildings largely fuelled the increase. In Vancouver, higher construction intentions for commercial projects and multi-family dwellings accounted for most of the gain in June.
Conversely, Hamilton and Regina registered the largest declines. In Hamilton, the decline originated mainly from lower construction intentions for institutional buildings. In Regina, which had a strong gain the previous month, the decline came from all three non-residential components.

Source: Statistics Canada, http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/150807/dq150807b-eng.htm?cmp=mstatcan.

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Ontario Solar Incentives with Essex Energy

    Ontario Solar Incentives with Essex Energy

    August 20, 2025 Essex Energy is helping municipalities, universities and colleges across Ontario take advantage of incentives under Ontario’s Retrofit DER Program including solar photovoltaic (PV) systems. What’s Available Significant rebates available to eligible businesses and institutional organizations deploying rooftop or parking lot solar PV systems. These incentives are paid upon completion of the project, accelerating project… Read More…

  • Beyond the Bid: How Modern Estimating Solutions Drive Contractor Success

    Beyond the Bid: How Modern Estimating Solutions Drive Contractor Success

    August 18, 2025 By Brooke Stewart In today’s fast-paced construction landscape, electrical contractors are constantly pressured to keep their estimates competitive, often at the expense of healthy profit margins. Compounding this challenge are rising material costs, a shortage of skilled labor and siloed data, all of which make it increasingly difficult to stay competitive and… Read More…

  • Hammond Power Solutions Helps EFC Champion Sustainability as First Carbon Neutral Sponsor at Annual Industry Conference

    Hammond Power Solutions Helps EFC Champion Sustainability as First Carbon Neutral Sponsor at Annual Industry Conference

    August 18, 2025 By Electro-Federation Canada Did you know that carbon emissions from this year’s Annual Industry Conference were offset? With the help of Hammond Power Solutions (HPS), EFC took an important step toward reducing our environmental impact by offsetting the emissions associated with the event. This milestone reflects a growing commitment within the electrical… Read More…

  • FortisBC Detail Impact of their Energy-Efficiency Programs in 2024

    FortisBC Detail Impact of their Energy-Efficiency Programs in 2024

    August 18, 2025 In 2024, FortisBC Energy Inc. and FortisBC Inc.’s (collectively FortisBC) conservation and energy-efficiency programs helped lower gas and electricity use while helping create more comfortable living and working spaces for customers. Building on 2023 reductions, its gas programs cut close to one million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂e) 1 in 2024. “Our customers’… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • Blackline Safety Announces Quality Assurance Program Expansion

    August 18, 2025 Blackline Safety Corp. has announced a major expansion of its quality assurance (QA) program. As part of the expansion, the company has increased its QA team, upgraded its inspection equipment, and boosted in-lab testing of its entire product line. Headquartered in Canada with offices in the UK, France, U.S., and UAE, Blackline… Read More…

  • EB Horsman Introcuce New Burnaby Branch Manager

    EB Horsman Introcuce New Burnaby Branch Manager

    August 18, 2025 EB Horsman & Son is pleased to announce the promotion of Sean O’Brien to Branch Manager of their Burnaby location, effective August 6, 2025. Sean brings over 15 years of experience in the electrical and lighting industry, with a strong background in sales, technical leadership, project management, and clean energy initiatives. He… Read More…

  • BCCA Response to “Report on 2026 Budget Consultation”

    BCCA Response to “Report on 2026 Budget Consultation”

    August 18, 2025 BCCA is pleased to receive the Standing Committee on Finance and Government Services’ Report on the 2026 Budget Consultation, and celebrates the emphasis placed on supporting BC’s construction industry and workforce. Chris Atchison, President of the BCCA, spoke to the Committee on the recommendations and priorities of BC’s construction industry. These included:… Read More…

  • NSAA Introduces Mentorship for Women Apprentices Program

    NSAA Introduces Mentorship for Women Apprentices Program

    August 18, 2025 This program is designed to support the retention and progression to certification of women apprentices in the 39 Red Seal Construction or Manufacturing trades. The program pairs women apprentices with experienced tradespeople to provide guidance, career development, and support throughout their apprenticeship journey. The program is for 6 months, with the mentor and… Read More…