Multi-Unit Construction Intentions Fuel Growth in the Residential Sector for July Building Permits

September 15, 2024

Month over month, the total value of building permits in Canada surged 22.1% to $12.4 billion in July, rebounding from two consecutive monthly declines. Both the residential and non-residential sectors expanded in July.

On a constant dollar basis (2017=100), the total value of building permits in July was up 22.9% compared with the previous month, while it rose 3.4% year over year.

sector

Multi-unit construction intentions fuel growth in the residential sector

The total monthly value of residential permits increased 16.7% to $7.6 billion in July. The gains were driven by the multi-unit component (+29.3%; +$1.1 billion), while single-family construction intentions saw a modest decline (-1.9%; -$50.3 million).

In July, the value of permits issued in the multi-unit component (+29.3%) increased substantially to $5.0 billion, its second-highest monthly level on record after an all-time high of $5.9 billion in April. British Columbia (+152.1%; +$766.8 million) led the increase, with significant contributions from the City of Richmond. Alberta (+33.1%; +$141.0 million) and Ontario (+7.7%; +$122.6 million) were also major contributors to the growth in the multi-unit component.

Across Canada, 20,700 new dwellings in multi-unit buildings and 4,100 new single-family dwellings were authorized in July. From August 2023 to July 2024, a total of 266,200 new units were authorized.

Ontario and British Columbia lead gains in non-residential construction intentions

The total value of non-residential sector permits rose 31.8% to $4.8 billion in July. Overall growth in this sector was seen across the commercial (+18.4% to $2.2 billion), industrial (+98.6% to $1.3 billion) and institutional (+14.8% to $1.3 billion) components.

In Ontario, the non-residential sector grew 23.8% to $2.2 billion in July, driven by gains in the industrial component (+99.3%; +$338.0 million). The large monthly gains in Ontario’s industrial component pushed the value to a record-high level of $678.3 million in July. This was supported by construction intentions for the expansion of a tire manufacturing plant in Greater Napanee and broad-based growth throughout the province.

In British Columbia, the non-residential sector increased 99.2% to $869.1 million in July, with large gains in the industrial (+349.2%; +$168.4 million), institutional (+383.0%; +$157.6 million) and commercial (+30.8%; +$106.8 million) components.

Source

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Siemens to Establish Global AI Manufacturing Technologies R&D Center for Battery & EV Production in Canada

    Siemens to Establish Global AI Manufacturing Technologies R&D Center for Battery & EV Production in Canada

    May 26, 2025 Siemens will invest CAD $150 million over five years to establish a Global AI Manufacturing Technologies Research and Development (R&D) Center for Battery Production in Canada. The new R&D center, located initially at Siemens Canada’s head office in Oakville, as well as in Toronto and Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, will focus on developing cutting-edge AI manufacturing technologies with an initial emphasis… Read More…

  • Honda Postponing Ontario EV Supply Chain Investment by Two Years

    Honda Postponing Ontario EV Supply Chain Investment by Two Years

    May 26, 2025 Honda is postponing its plan to invest in a comprehensive EV supply chain in Ontario. The CBC reported that the investment is being push back by two years. “Due to the recent slowdown of the EV market, Honda Motor has announced an approximate two-year postponement of the comprehensive value chain investment project in Canada…. Read More…

  • Serge Leblanc Named Sonepar Canada Interim President

    Serge Leblanc Named Sonepar Canada Interim President

    May 26, 2025 George McClean, former President of Sonepar Canada, has decided to leave Sonepar for an opportunity outside of the electrical industry. Serge Leblanc, current President of Lumen Canada, has been appointed interim President of Sonepar Canada. Leblanc will manage both responsibilities until a successor is named.  Leblanc joined Lumen in 1997 and has… Read More…

  • Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen Head to Queens Park to Advocate for Safer, More Inclusive Job Sites

    Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen Head to Queens Park to Advocate for Safer, More Inclusive Job Sites

    May 26, 2025 On Monday, May 26, the Ontario Building and Construction Tradeswomen (OBCT), will host its first-ever Advocacy Day at Queen’s Park. Tradeswomen from across the province will gather to meet with Members of Provincial Parliament, including Minister of Labour David Piccini, to advocate for progress in the skilled trades for tradeswomen. OBCT’s top priorities include:… Read More…