Total Value of Canadian Building Permits Declines Slightly in April 2022

Statistics Canada (StatsCan) reported today (6-2-22) that the total value of building permits in Canada declined in -0.6% in April to $11.7 billion (CAD). The decline in residential permits of -3.3% were offset by gains in the non-residential sector of 5.0%. On a constant dollar basis (2012=100), the total value of building permits increased 0.5% to $7.5 billion.

In April, Canadian residential permits decreased -3.3% to $7.7 billion nationally. While seven provinces posted increases, declines in intentions in Ontario and British Columbia pushed the numbers lower. Single-family home construction intentions declined -2.0%, with Alberta’s -11.9% contributing to most of decline. The value of multi-family building permits pulled back -4.4%, as Ontario declined -21.7% returning to more normal levels following a strong February and March.

The total value of permits in the non-residential sector advanced 5.0% to $3.9 billion in April. The industrial component surged 35.1%, stemming from large gains in Ontario (+48.8%) due to permits for several mining buildings in Greenstone. Commercial permits decreased -6.4%, with most of the declines in British Columbia as the province returned to more normal levels following a high value permit for the Oakridge Centre redevelopment issued in March. Construction intentions in the institutional sector rose 7.2%. Ontario posted the largest gain, reflecting the expansion project of the Runnymede Healthcare Centre in Toronto and a new elementary school in Kingsville.