The value of building permits issued in March was down 5.8 per cent to $7 billion, Statistics Canada says.
It’s the second consecutive month of declines in permits and was driven by lower intentions for multi-family units in British Columbia and Ontario. However, all provinces except Ontario and Quebec registered declines.
Residential permits were down 8.4 per cent from February to $4.6 billion, with the multi-family sector down 20.9 per cent to $1.9 billion. This was the first time since July 2016 that multi-family permits had slipped below $2 billion. Apartment building intentions were down in 8 provinces, especially BC and Ontario.
The single-family sector was up 3 per cent to $2.7 billion with Ontario and Alberta recording the strongest gains.
In total, permits 16,821 dwellings were issued across Canada in March, down 17.4 per cent from February. Multi-family accounted for 10,745 units (down 19.4 per cent from February) and single-family intentions totalled 6,076 (down 4.8 per cent).
Non-residential permits slipped 0.5 per cent to $2.4 billion, led by commercial buildings. Seven provinces saw declines led by Saskatchewan, Ontario and Yukon.
It’s the second consecutive month of declines in permits and was driven by lower intentions for multi-family units in British Columbia and Ontario. However, all provinces except Ontario and Quebec registered declines.
Residential permits were down 8.4 per cent from February to $4.6 billion, with the multi-family sector down 20.9 per cent to $1.9 billion. This was the first time since July 2016 that multi-family permits had slipped below $2 billion. Apartment building intentions were down in 8 provinces, especially BC and Ontario.
The single-family sector was up 3 per cent to $2.7 billion with Ontario and Alberta recording the strongest gains.
In total, permits 16,821 dwellings were issued across Canada in March, down 17.4 per cent from February. Multi-family accounted for 10,745 units (down 19.4 per cent from February) and single-family intentions totalled 6,076 (down 4.8 per cent).
Non-residential permits slipped 0.5 per cent to $2.4 billion, led by commercial buildings. Seven provinces saw declines led by Saskatchewan, Ontario and Yukon.