Canadian Building Permits

Canadian building permits fell 10.6 per cent in June to $6.6 billion, the first decline in the past six months. The decrease was mainly due to a decline in permitting activity for Ontario condos and the non-residential sector in Quebec.

BC building permits rose 10 per cent in June, helping to offset last month's 15 per cent decline. Residential building permits were flat, albeit down 0.1 per cent on a monthly basis and were 10 per cent lower year-over-year. Non-residential construction intentions jumped 36 on a monthly basis and were up 24 per cent year-over-year.

Permitting activity in BC's four major census metropolitan areas (CMA) was mixed. In the Vancouver CMA, permits rose 13 per cent on a monthly basis but were 2 per cent lower year-over-year. Construction intentions in the Victoria CMA were up sharply in June, rising 85 per cent on a monthly basis and 18 per cent year over year. in the Kelowna CMA, permits fell 16 per cent from May and were 14 per cent lower than June 2012. Finally, in the Abbotsford-Mission CMA, building permits declined 29 per cent month-over-month and 25.5 per cent year-over-year.

Copyright BCREA - reprinted with permission