OTTAWA – Building permits across the country edged down slightly in July – one tenth of a percent, to $11.9 billion – a report issued by Statistics Canada details.
In July, the total value of building permits issued in Canada was $10.8 million from the previous month, down from $11.9 billion. Overall, the decrease in construction intentions was led by the non-residential sector (-$279.2 million), largely offset by a rise in the residential sector (+$268.3 million).
On a constant dollar basis, the total value of building permits issued in July declined 0.3% from the previous month and was down 8.2% on a year-over-year basis.
A decrease in industrial and institutional construction led to a decline in the non-residential sector. The value of non-residential building permits decreased $279.2 million to $4.6 billion in July, as the industrial (-$252.9 million) and institutional (-$196.0 million) components declined, while the commercial component (+$169.7 million) tempered the decrease.
In July, the decrease in the industrial component was primarily attributable to Ontario (-$190.9 million) and Quebec (-$114.8 million). Alberta (-$192.1 million) led the decline in the institutional component, after hospital construction in the province bolstered the national level in June. The decline in July was tempered by gains in Nova Scotia (+$65.9 million) and Quebec (+$57.8 million).
Gains in the commercial component in July were led by Ontario (+$82.5 million), followed by Quebec (+$59.3 million) and Nunavut (+$30.8 million). Meanwhile, the commercial component was down in five provinces, slightly moderating the gains.
Despite the downward trend since January 2025, residential construction intentions rose $268.3 million to $7.3 billion in July. The national increase in the residential sector in July was driven by Ontario (+$497.5 million).
The single-family component increased $143.5 million to $2.6 billion in July, led by Ontario (+$114.6 million) and followed by Alberta (+$35.2 million). Overall, seven provinces and three territories contributed to the increase, while Quebec (-$17.2 million), Manitoba (-$12.5 million) and British Columbia (-$6.2 million) tempered the growth.
The multi-unit component grew $124.8 million to $4.7 billion and was driven by Ontario (+$382.8 million), specifically the Toronto census metropolitan area (+$329.5 million), followed by Alberta (+$84.7 million). The growth was partially offset by Quebec (-$160.0 million), Nova Scotia (-$57.2 million) and New Brunswick (-$55.0 million).
Nationwide, a total of 20,000 multi-unit dwellings and 4,100 single-family dwellings were authorized in July, up 1.9% from the previous month.
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