October Building Permits Jump 9.1% Nationally

Economy 1

 

December 10, 2015

Municipalities issued $7.7 billion worth of building permits in October, up 9.1% from a month earlier. This was the first increase in three months. The value of residential building permits rose 15.5% to $4.8 billion, following two months of declines. Higher construction intentions for multi-family dwellings and institutional buildings in Alberta were responsible for much of the gain, as builders filed permits in advance of the changes in the Building Code.

Chart 1: Total value of permits

Economy 2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The value of residential building permits rose 15.5% from September to $4.8 billion in October. The advance followed an 11.4% drop in September and a 5.4% decline in August. Increases were posted in five provinces, led by Alberta, followed by Ontario and British Columbia. The largest declines were reported in Manitoba and Quebec.

Construction intentions for non-residential buildings edged down 0.2% to $2.9 billion in October. Declines were registered in five provinces, with Saskatchewan and Ontario posting the largest decreases. Alberta posted the largest gain, followed by Quebec, a distant second.

Residential sector: Higher construction intentions for multi-family dwellings

The value of building permits for multi-family dwellings increased 35.4% to $2.5 billion in October. The advance followed two consecutive monthly declines. Gains were reported in six provinces, led by Alberta, followed by Ontario and British Columbia. Manitoba posted the largest decline.

Construction intentions for single-family dwellings edged down 0.3% to $2.3 billion in October, marking a third consecutive monthly decline. Increases in Ontario partly offset decreases in seven provinces, with Quebec registering the largest decline.

Municipalities approved the construction of 19,781 new dwellings in October, up 17.1% from the previous month. The gain was mainly attributable to multi-family dwellings, which increased 25.4% to 14,078 units. The number of single-family dwellings edged up 0.7% to 5,703 units.

Chart 2: Residential and non-residential sectors

Economy 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Non-residential: Lower construction intentions for commercial and industrial buildings

The value of permits issued for commercial buildings declined for a second consecutive month, down 9.9% to $1.4 billion in October. The decline at the national level was mainly the result of lower construction intentions for warehouses, office buildings and hotels and restaurants. Saskatchewan and Ontario registered the largest declines in commercial building construction intentions. Alberta saw the largest increase, which partly offset the decline in the component.

In the industrial component, the value of building permits fell 22.4% to $430 million in October, following a 17.1% increase in September. The decline was mainly attributable to lower construction intentions for utilities buildings and manufacturing plants. Lower industrial building construction intentions were reported in every province except Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Ontario, Quebec and Saskatchewan registered the largest declines.

The value of institutional building permits rose 36.4% to $1.0 billion in October, following a large increase in September. The gain at the national level was attributable to higher construction intentions for retirement homes, continuing care facilities and government buildings. Advances were reported in eight provinces, led by Alberta, Quebec and Ontario. Saskatchewan and New Brunswick registered declines.

Provinces: Alberta posts the largest increase

The total value of permits was up in six provinces, with Alberta posting the largest increase, followed by Ontario, a distant second. Saskatchewan and Manitoba registered the largest declines.

In Alberta, the value of building permits increased 53.0% in October to a record high of $2.2 billion. The gain was the result of increased construction intentions for multi-family dwellings, institutional structures and commercial buildings. The increase in building permits in October was largely attributable to contractors applying for permits prior to November 1, 2015, when the transition period for the implementation of the 2014 Alberta Building Code ended.

In Ontario, municipalities issued building permits valued at $2.6 billion in October, up 3.3% from the previous month. The gain was mainly attributable to higher construction intentions for multi-family dwellings, institutional buildings and single-family dwellings. Declines in the value of building permits for commercial and industrial buildings partly offset the overall provincial increase.

After posting a notable gain in September, Saskatchewan issued building permits worth $326 million in October, down 30.6% from the previous month. The decrease was mainly attributable to lower demand for building permits in all three non-residential components, led by commercial structures.

Manitoba registered a 16.1% decline in the value of building permits, following a 27.6% increase in September. Lower construction intentions for residential buildings, led by multi-family dwellings, were responsible for much of the provincial decrease.

Higher construction intentions in half of the census metropolitan areas

The value of building permits was up in 17 of the 34 census metropolitan areas in October. The largest increase was reported in Calgary, followed by Toronto and Saskatoon.

The value of permits in Calgary was up for both residential and non-residential buildings, led by multi-family dwellings, followed by commercial and institutional buildings.

In Toronto, the increase stemmed from higher construction intentions for institutional buildings, multi-family dwellings and, to a lesser extent, single-family homes.

In contrast, the largest decrease was recorded in Edmonton, which had a notable increase the previous month. Commercial buildings, multi-family dwellings and single-family houses explained much of the decline.

Source: Statistics Canada, www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/151208/dq151208a-eng.htm?cmp=mstatcan.

 

Related Articles


Latest Articles

  • Hazardous Environment vs. Intrinsically Safe Sensors: Understanding the Differences

    Hazardous Environment vs. Intrinsically Safe Sensors: Understanding the Differences

    May 5, 2025 Sensors designed for industrial applications often face harsh conditions, including extreme temperatures, high humidity, exposure to chemicals, and the presence of combustible gases or dust. Two common classifications for sensors used in such environments are hazardous environment sensors and intrinsically safe sensors. While they share some overlap, they serve different purposes and… Read More…

  • The Wild and Wonderful of Thermal by FLIR – How Thermal Imaging is Augmenting More Than Just Cameras

    The Wild and Wonderful of Thermal by FLIR – How Thermal Imaging is Augmenting More Than Just Cameras

    May 5, 2025 By Krystie Johnston Teledyne FLIR OEM launched their Thermal by FLIR about six years ago, to expand support for original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who integrate FLIR thermal camera technology into their products. Since then, these collaborations have taken thermal into completely new spaces. Mike Walters, Vice President of Emerging Product Management at FLIR… Read More…

  • Ontario Leads Residential Sector Increase in February Construction Investment

    Ontario Leads Residential Sector Increase in February Construction Investment

    May 5, 2025 Overall, investment in building construction rose 1.5% (+$331.7 million) to $22.4 billion in February, with gains being recorded across all components. The residential sector increased 1.8% to $15.7 billion, while the non-residential sector was up 0.8% to $6.8 billion. Year over year, investment in building construction grew 8.9% in February. On a constant dollar basis (2017=100), investment in building construction… Read More…

  • MCEE 2025 Marks Big Return to the Palais des congrès

    MCEE 2025 Marks Big Return to the Palais des congrès

    May 4, 2025 By Electro-Federation Canada Canada’s largest Mechanical, Plumbing, Hydronics, HVAC, Electrical and Lighting Expo did not disappoint. On April 24-25, more than 6,000 attendees flocked to the Palais des congrès in the heart of Montreal to attend the Mechanical, Conditioning, Electrical, and Equipment (MCEE) trade show to see the latest products, learn about… Read More…


Changing Scene

  • City Electric Supply Bids Farewell to Vickey Mackay and Brian Doucette

    City Electric Supply Bids Farewell to Vickey Mackay and Brian Doucette

    May 5, 2025 After decades of leadership, City Electric Supply bid a warm farewell to two incredible branch managers in their Ottawa District — Vicky Mackay (Ottawa Central & Kemptville) and Brian Doucette (Pembroke). “Their dedication, leadership, and lasting impact will be felt for years to come,” said City Electric Supply on LinkedIn. City Electric Supply are also introducing… Read More…

  • 2025 Skills Ontario Competition & Career Exploration Showcase Highlights the Future Skilled Trade and Technology Workforce

    2025 Skills Ontario Competition & Career Exploration Showcase Highlights the Future Skilled Trade and Technology Workforce

    May 5, 2025 Canada’s largest skilled trades and technology conference, the Skills Ontario Competition, is back at the Toronto Congress Centre May 5th – May 6th. Ian Howcroft, CEO of Skills Ontario, said Skills Ontario is changing lives and inspiring leaders through skilled trades and technologies through events like the Skills Ontario Competition. “We look forward… Read More…

  • Manitoba Government Honours Highest Achieving New Journeypersons

    Manitoba Government Honours Highest Achieving New Journeypersons

    May 4, 2025 The Manitoba government is proud to acknowledge the outstanding work and commitment of newly certified journeypersons, as well as recognize employers and their contributions to Manitoba’s skilled trades, Business, Mining, Trade and Job Creation Minister Jamie Moses announced last night at the Legislative Building during the 33rd annual Apprenticeship Highest Achievement Awards… Read More…

  • Acuity Acquires Sports Lighting Startup M3 Innovation

    Acuity Acquires Sports Lighting Startup M3 Innovation

    May 4, 2025  Acuity Inc. has acquired the business assets of M3 Innovation, LLC, a sports lighting startup that uses innovative technology to lower the overall cost of the installation and operation of sports lighting solutions.   The acquisition has already closed, and the solution is now part of the Acuity Brands Lighting (ABL) business portfolio. M3 Innovation’s products and innovative technology will be available through Acuity’s independent sales network as part of their Lithonia Lighting® brand and through direct sales and utility channels as part of their Holophane® brand.   “We are excited to welcome M3 Innovation to ABL. The founders are thought… Read More…