The total value of building permits rose by just under 15% in October, with gains reported in both the residential and non-residential sectors.

Statistics Canada finds that the total value of permits issued for the month was $13.8 billion. The increase was led by the residential sector at +$1.1 billion, with the non-residential sector adding $702.8 million.

At $882.6 million, Ontario contributed the most to October’s residential-sector growth. The largest increase was recorded in the province’s multi-family residential component, which added $876.4 million, and was chiefly driven by activity in Toronto (+$408.9 million).

Activity in the national, single-family component was up $47.0 million to $2.6 billion in October, with the gains being primarily attributed to Alberta (+$28.7 million).

Across Canada, municipalities approved construction of 24,300 multi-family dwellings and 4,100 single-family dwellings in October, marking a 13.6% increase from the previous month. Year-to-date, the average number of multi-family dwellings authorized is 21,500 per month, up from 19,100 during the same period in 2024.

Commercial and institutional components lead increase in non-residential sector

Meanwhile, the value of non-residential building permits rose $702.8 million to $5.3 billion. The commercial component (+$394.9 million) drove the increase, followed by the institutional component (+$311.8 million). Meanwhile, the industrial component edged down $3.9 million.

Commercial component gains were led by Ontario (+$392.3 million), specifically permit values for office buildings in Toronto. Meanwhile, decreases in six provinces and two territories moderated the gains in the component.

The increase in the institutional component in October was driven by British Columbia (+$132.2 million), with eight other provinces posting gains.

In October, the industrial component experienced a minor decline, mainly attributed to Quebec (-$118.6 million). Gains from Ontario (+$71.2 million) and British Columbia (+$24.4 million) mitigated the component's decline.