Building permit values in 2020 jumped more than 15 percent over 2019’s total—despite the pandemic. Permit values for the first five months of 2021 are already well ahead of that pace.

A report to council suggests new tools the city could use to bring in revenue that would help it close its $3.5-billion infrastructure gap. The tools would, however, require changes to the Municipal Act.

After four consecutive months of record highs, building permit values crashed in May, losing 14.8 percent compared to April and ending a four-month run of record performances.

A new page on the Infrastructure Canada website will be updated weekly with the status of project-funding applications made by the provinces and territories.

The most recent funding announcement from the province and the federal government sees $51.2 million allocated to 129 municipalities in Ontario’s Southwest, Midwest and Central regions.