Total Value of Building Permits Fell 17.5% in September

November 9, 2022

The total value of building permits in Canada fell 17.5% in September to $10.2 billion, the largest recorded monthly decline. This was the first time all survey components posted monthly decreases since September 2019. Both the residential (-15.6% to $7.0 billion) and the non-residential (-21.5% to $3.2 billion) sector posted declines.

On a constant dollar basis (2012=100), the total value of building permits dropped 17.8% to $6.0 billion.

Multi-family component drags down residential sector

The value of residential permits decreased 15.6% to $7.0 billion nationally in September, with a similar decline in the number of units (-16.0%) being built.

The value of building permits in the multi-family component tumbled 21.2%. This drop was largely due to Ontario, which fell 39.6% following a record high in August. While August saw the submission of four permits valued at over $100 million in Ontario, including one for $480 million, there were no permits in September to break the $100 million mark.

Construction intentions in the single-family homes component declined 7.7%. Seven provinces posted decreases, with notable declines in Ontario (-7.0%), Manitoba (-35.1%), and Alberta (-15.9%).

Non-residential sector down across all components

The total permit value of the non-residential sector decreased 21.5% to $3.2 billion in September.

The institutional component, after three consecutive monthly increases, dropped 37.2% in the month.

Construction intentions in the commercial component fell 11.5%, with decreases posted in nine provinces. The two provinces to post gains were British Columbia (+37.9%), after three consecutive monthly declines, and Quebec (+22.3%), after posting the lowest value of the year in August.

The value of building permits in the industrial component declined 23.4%, reaching the lowest point since late 2021 and has been on a downward trend since then.

Third quarter construction intentions slow down

The total value of building permits in the third quarter of 2022 decreased 6.3% to $33.7 billion after three consecutive quarterly increases.

The residential sector declined 5.6% in the quarter, with decreases posted in all provinces, returning the sector to historic levels following a strong second quarter. Single-family permits declined 9.0%, while multi-family permits were down 2.6%.

Overall, the number of new units slated for construction in the residential sector declined 7.4%. Much of the decrease stemmed from the multi-unit component (-7.8%) as it reached its lowest point since the third quarter of 2020. Single-family intentions saw a 6.2% decline.

The non-residential sector saw a 7.9% decrease to $10.8 billion, with declines in all components.

The industrial component (-19.3%) was the biggest drag on the sector, after reaching a new record high in the first quarter of 2022. The commercial component decreased 1.8% after six consecutive quarterly increases. The institutional component (-10.1%) continued to cool off after nearly hitting the $4 billion mark in the first quarter of 2022.

Go HERE for more information

Related Articles


Latest Articles


Changing Scene

  • Intralec Named New Sales Agency Partner for IDEAL Electrical in Central & Southwestern Ontario

    Intralec Named New Sales Agency Partner for IDEAL Electrical in Central & Southwestern Ontario

    July 7, 2025 Intralec Electrical Products is proud to announce our new partnership with IDEAL Electrical as their sales agency for the Central & Southwestern Ontario regions. As a Canadian manufacturer with over 60 years of experience producing quality products—many of which, like the Can-Twist wire connector and Yellow 77 lubricant, are made in Ajax,… Read More…

  • City of Winnipeg Continues to Improve Online Permits System

    City of Winnipeg Continues to Improve Online Permits System

    July 4, 2025 The City of Winnipeg has launched an improved Permits Online web portal. This upgrade aims to make the permit process more convenient for customers. Permits Online is a one-stop shop to manage the permit process. Now, the web portal is easier to use because customers can navigate it using their mobile device. The portal… Read More…

  • Schneider Electric Launches Chapter 3 of Sustainability School

    Schneider Electric Launches Chapter 3 of Sustainability School

    July 4, 2025 Schneider Electric, the leader in the digital transformation of energy management and automation, has launched Chapter 3 of its online Sustainability School, a free training program designed to empower its channel ecosystem partners to become leaders in sustainability. This chapter will focus on teaching businesses how to decarbonize and unlock the competitive… Read More…

  • United Chargers Launches Grizzl-E Club Charger-as-a-Service Subscription Model

    United Chargers Launches Grizzl-E Club Charger-as-a-Service Subscription Model

    July 4, 2025 United Chargers Inc., known for the Grizzl-E line of EV chargers, announces Grizzl-E Club, a first-of-its-kind charger as a service that provides a free EV Charger and pays drivers back for charging. Grizzl-E Club is designed to make EV ownership more rewarding, accessible, and future-ready. Beginning July 1st, Canadians can join the Grizzl-E… Read More…