The total value of building permits rose 2.3 percent to $12.1 billion in May, Statistics Canada reports.

The increase was largely due to growth of 7.0 percent – to $4.3 billion – in the non-residential sector, while the value of permits issued in the residential sector dropped 0.1 percent to $7.8 billion.

Single-family homes have continued their comeback since the COVID-19 pandemic downturn and longer-term secular decline, increasing 7.0 percent in total value nationally for the month.

Construction intentions in the multi-family component, meanwhile, decreased 5.9 percent in May, with Quebec returning to more normal levels. Conversely, British Columbia saw a 10.1 percent increase in part due to a $112 million permit for a condo building in Surrey.

Overall, the number of new units created decreased 3.4 percent compared with April. The decline in the multi-family component (-6.4 percent) was partially offset by the increase in the single-family home component (+5.4 percent).

On the other side of the ledger, growth in the total value of non-residential sector permits was driven by gains in the commercial and institutional sectors. The value of industrial permits, however, declined 6.1 percent.

Commercial permit values increased sharply by 15.6 percent in May, driven by British Columbia with an overall increase of 73.8 percent for the month.

Construction intentions in the institutional component rose 4.3 percent in May. Gains were led by British Columbia (+54.9 percent), reflecting an $82 million permit for a hospital in Fort St. James. New Brunswick also saw notable gains due to permits for a police station and a school in Moncton. Those gains were largely countered by decreases in Quebec (-20.2 percent) and Ontario (-8.1 percent).