11:22 PM / February 11, 2025
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The total value of building permits in Canada increased by 11% to $13.1 billion in December, with residential permits rising 21% to $9.0 billion, reported Statistics Canada.
Multi-unit construction accounted for most of the residential growth, increasing by 33% or $1.5 billion. Ontario and British Columbia led the rise in multi-unit permits, with gains of $986 million and $566 million, respectively. Single-family home construction intentions increased by 2% to $2.9 billion, with British Columbia, Ontario, and Manitoba contributing the largest increases.
Non-residential construction declined by 6% to $4.2 billion, marking the third consecutive monthly drop. The commercial and institutional components saw declines of $221 million and $168 million, respectively, which offset a $127 million gain in industrial permits. Quebec had the largest decrease in non-residential permits, falling by $269 million, while Ontario’s non-residential sector increased by $98 million, driven by a $316 million rise in industrial construction.
For the fourth quarter of 2024, total building permits increased by 1% to $37.5 billion, with residential construction growing by 8% to $24.3 billion. Multi-unit permits accounted for 70% of the residential gains, while single-family home permits increased by 2%. The non-residential sector fell by 9% to $13.3 billion due to declines in industrial and commercial construction.
For the full year, building permits increased by 8% to $145.3 billion, reaching the highest level since 2017. Multi-family permits rose by 12% to $34.1 billion, while single-family permits declined by 31% to $18.6 billion. Non-residential permits increased slightly to $36.6 billion, with industrial construction leading the growth, driven by projects supporting the electric vehicle battery supply chain in Ontario and Quebec.
Source: Canada"s building permits rise 11% to $13.1 billion in December