Total building permits values jumped 7.5 per cent to $6.5 billion in February, after experiencing an 11.4-per cent decline in January.
The boost in total value of permits was due to a 36.2-per cent increase in the non-residential sector to $2.5 billion, following a 20.6-per cent decrease in January. Quebec, Alberta and B.C. were the biggest contributors to the increase.
The jump in non-residential building permits offset the residential sector, which fell by 5.3 per cent in February to $3.9 billion, led by declines in construction intentions for single-family and multi-family dwellings in Ontario.
In the industrial sector, permit values jumped 151.1 per cent to $714 million in February, its highest level since February 2011.
Building permits values for manufacturing plants in B.C, Quebec, Ontario and Alberta led the gains, with every province with the exceptions of Saskatchewan and Prince Edward Island experienced increases. The substantial increase follows three consecutive months of declines.
Institutional permit values increased by 64.8 per cent to $517 million in February, led by higher construction intentions for various structures, including government buildings, educational institutions and medical buildings. Permit values were up seven provinces, led by Quebec, Alberta and Ontario.
Commercial building permit values increased by 3.4 per cent to $1.3 billion, following a 19.7-per cent decline in January. The increase was led by construction intentions for office buildings and retail stores in Alberta.
Total permit values were up in 23 of the 34 census metropolitan areas, led by Calgary, Edmonton and Montreal.
The largest overall declines were experienced in Toronto, Ottawa and Hamilton.
To view the Statistics Canada report, visit:
www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/120405/dq120405b-eng.htm
Source: Statistics Canada
