Statistics Canada’s report on the total value of building permits issued across the country shows a drop of $1.1 billion—or more than 13 percent—in March.

Although officially the largest percentage drop in nearly six years, the decline was less than Statistics Canada projected in its report on February building activity. In that document, it suggested that permit values could fall by more than 23 percent across the country when compared with totals from March 2019.

Seven provinces reported declines in permit activity in March. Chief among those were British Columbia (-19.4 percent), Quebec (-18.1 percent) and Ontario (-12.9 percent). Those figures, said Statistics Canada, coincided with the provinces’ efforts to slow the spread of COVID-19.

Across the country, the total value of residential-sector permits dropped by 13.1 percent to $4.6 billion. The value of permits issued for single-family dwellings fell 15.3 percent to $2.2 billion, with the largest percentage declines recorded in Prince Edward Island (-31.8 percent) and Quebec (-27.0 percent). Meanwhile, the value of multi-family construction permits dropped 11.1 percent to $2.5 billion. Ontario (-13.0 percent to $1.1 billion) and British Columbia (-24.4 percent to $389 million) reported the largest declines.

Statistics Canada also reports that the value of non-residential construction permits dropped for the third consecutive month in March. Municipalities issued $2.8 billion worth of non-residential permits for the month—about $400 million or 13.3 percent less than they did a month previous.

The value of commercial permits dropped by 19.7 percent to just below $1.6 billion. Seven provinces reported drops. Quebec (-36.6 percent) was hardest hit. The value of institutional permits (-15.7 percent to $602.2 million) was down in eight provinces. Quebec (-37.0 percent) again posted the largest decline.

Industrial permits (+14.9 percent to $583 million) were the only component to show an increase in March. Manitoba (+185.9 percent) reported significant gains due to the construction of several large properties in and around Winnipeg.

Construction activity in Ontario dropped by about $500 million, or 12.8 percent in March. Permit values dropped in all but the industrial sector. Residential construction permits dropped by $370 million, or 14.8 percent, while non-residential construction activity dropped by 9.4 percent.