Multi-Unit Component Drives Residential Construction Growth in August Building Permits
October 23, 2026
In August, the total value of building permits issued in Canada rose $1.1 billion (+8.8%) to $13.6 billion. The increase in construction intentions was led by the residential sector (+$1.1 billion), while the non-residential sector (-$29.8 million) showed little change.
On a constant dollar basis (2023=100), the total value of building permits issued in August grew 8.6% from the previous month and was up 12.4% on a year-over-year basis.
Multi-unit component drives residential construction growth
Residential construction intentions rose $1.1 billion to $8.5 billion in August. The increase was attributable to the multi-unit component (+$1.1 billion to $5.8 billion), while the single-family component (-$0.7 million to $2.6 billion) edged down.
Ontario (+$696.0 million) led the gains in the multi-unit component in August, followed by British Columbia (+$189.8 million) and Alberta (+$115.9 million). Overall, seven provinces and two territories contributed to the increase.
In August, the decline in the single-family component was led by Alberta (-$32.7 million), followed by the Northwest Territories (-$10.9 million) and Manitoba (-$7.9 million).
Across Canada, 21,800 multi-unit dwellings and 4,000 single-family dwellings were authorized in August, up 12.8% from the previous month. Over the 12-month period from September 2025 to August 2026, the total number of multi-unit and single-family dwellings authorized was 299,500, a decrease from 305,500 in the previous 12-month period.
Commercial construction intentions put downward pressure on the non-residential sector
The value of non-residential building permits edged down $29.8 million to $5.1 billion in August. The decline in the commercial component (-$380.0 million to $2.2 billion) was largely offset by gains in the industrial component (+$317.3 million to $1.1 billion) and, to a lesser extent, the institutional component (+$32.9 million to $1.8 billion).
In August, the decrease in the commercial component was led by Quebec (-$317.4 million), followed by British Columbia (-$122.0 million). Alberta (+$95.4 million) tempered the decline.
The gain in the industrial component in August was led by Alberta (+$169.3 million), followed by Quebec (+$134.8 million). Overall, seven provinces and two territories contributed to the increase.
Meanwhile, the moderate growth in the institutional component was driven by Quebec (+$188.5 million), followed by British Columbia (+$68.3 million), while Ontario (-$211.2 million) tempered the increase.
To explore data using an interactive user interface, visit the Building permits: Interactive Dashboard.
For more information on construction, please visit the Construction statistics portal.
For more information on housing, please visit the Housing statistics portal.
