Statistics Canada reported today that the value of building permits issued across the country rose by 6.1 percent in August to $9.1 billion. The increase was largely due to greater demand for multi-family and industrial permits. Seven provinces reported gains, and Quebec accounted for more than one-third of the total national increase.

The value of permits for single-family dwellings rose 3.2 percent to $2.4 billion nationally, led by Ontario. Of note, St. Catharines–Niagara issued a record high of $102 million in single-family permits, up $58 million from July. These gains were largely attributable to several developers filing additional permits prior to an upcoming increase in development costs in the region. Meanwhile, the value of permits for multi-family dwellings rose in every province, except Nova Scotia, increasing 18.8 percent to $3.3 billion.

Industrial permits were the only component in the non-residential sector to increase in value, rising 18.9 percent to $675 million. The increase was largely due to a high-value permit for a bio-pharmaceutical company in Toronto.

The value of commercial permits declined 5.9 percent to $1.9 billion, following gains in July. Quebec showed some strength in the commercial component (+$73 million) despite the national decrease.

Five provinces reported declines in the value of institutional permits, down 10.7 percent to $651 million.

Here in Ontario, permit totals rose by 4.9 percent to $3.7 billion for the month. The value of residential permits grew by 6.1 percent to $2.4 billion, and the value of non-residential permits rose by 2.7 percent to $1.3 billion.