Residential Building Permits up for a Third Consecutive Month

cg220105a002 eng

January 7, 2022

The total value of building permits increased 6.8% to $11.2 billion in November. Seven provinces, led by Alberta (+20.6%) reported increases. Construction intentions in the residential sector rose 12.0% while the non-residential sector declined 3.4%.

On a constant dollar basis (2012=100) building permits increased 6.3% to $7.6 billion.

Residential sector up for a third consecutive month

Construction intentions for the residential sector increased 12.0% to $7.8 billion at the national level, reaching the highest level since the record set in March 2021. Growth in the sector was driven mostly by British Columbia (+31.7%).

The total value of multi-family permits bounced back 20.2% after the previous month’s 8.5% decline. A $256 million permit for the Plaza One residential tower in Surrey pushed British Columbia 53.9% higher for the month.

Permits for single family homes rose 3.3%, reflecting strength in Ontario (+4.2%) and Quebec (+8.3%). In Nova Scotia, the value of single-family permits rose 35.9% to a record value of $118 million in November.

Institutional component weighs down non-residential sector

The value of institutional permits fell 49.2% in November to $613 million, reversing October’s strong growth. This was the lowest level for institutional permits since April 2020.

Construction intentions in the commercial component rose by 14.3%. Alberta (+140.2%) led the growth, with a $316 million permit approved for the BMO convention centre expansion in Calgary.

Industrial permits rose 45.1% in November following a strong downturn in October. Much of the growth was from Ontario (+98.0%), where permits reached their highest level since August 2019.

Despite notable growth in the commercial and industrial components, the non-residential sector declined 3.4% overall in November.

To explore data using an interactive user interface, visit the Building permits: Interactive Dashboard.

To explore the impact of COVID-19 on the socioeconomic landscape, please consult the Canadian Economic Dashboard and COVID-19.

Go HERE for more information

Related Articles

Changing Scene

  • EFC Welcomes R.D. Sales as a New CEMRA Member

    EFC Welcomes R.D. Sales as a New CEMRA Member

    For 41 years, R.D. Sales has proudly served as a trusted lighting and controls manufactures agent for the engineering, architectural, interior design, electrical contracting, and distribution community across Manitoba and Northern Ontario. R.D. Sales offers expert technical support, related to lighting and controls design, computerized layouts, detailed quotations, and mock-ups – always backed by high-quality… Read More…

  • EFC Welcomes MegaResistors Corp. as a New Manufacturer Member

    EFC Welcomes MegaResistors Corp. as a New Manufacturer Member

    Founded in 2008, MegaResistors is a proudly Canadian company specializing in the design and production of high-quality power resistors, including grounding resistors, braking resistors and resistive load banks, tailored for demanding industry and mission critical applications. Their extensive line of products helps them meet the needs of the industry, from crane control to industrial mining… Read More…

Peers & Profiles

Copper US Dollar Price Per Pound