A decline in non-residential sector permits led to a drop in the value of building permits in November.
According to Statistics Canada, the value of permits in November was $6.1 billion, a decrease of 3.6 per cent. The drop comes after an 11.6 per cent increase in the value of permits in October.
The non-residential sector was down 17.6 per cent, with contractors taking out $2.2 billion in permits. This follows a 31.9 per cent increase in October. Six provinces had declines in November, with Ontario Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta accounting for the majority of the drop.
Institutional permits dropped 34.1 per cent, to $692 million, following a 178.8 per cent increase in October. Five provinces registered declines, with Ontario posting the biggest drop, mainly due to decreases in construction intentions for medical facilities and government buildings.
Industrial permits issued by municipalities dropped 12.3 per cent from October to a value of $439 million, after three consecutive monthly gains.
The biggest drops came from declines in permits for manufacturing plants in Quebec, and for utilities buildings in Alberta and Manitoba.
Despite gains in seven provinces, permits for commercial buildings fell for the second consecutive month, dropping 5.1 per cent to $1.1 billion.
Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick reported drops, with Ontario posting the largest decline, mainly due to a decrease in permits for retail stores and recreational facilities.
To view the full report from Statistics Canada, visit:
