Municipalities issued $8.0 billion worth of building permits in June, up 13.5% from May and 20.1% higher than in June 2013.
Five provinces reported an increase in permits over a year ago. The largest increase was recorded in Quebec (+104.4%) followed by Newfoundland and Labrador and by Alberta, both at +25.5%. Double-digit annualized decreases over June 2013 occurred in three provinces. The largest year-over-year losses were recorded in New Brunswick (-42.0%) followed by Saskatchewan (-33.1%) and Prince Edward Island (-13.3%). Ontario experienced a 5.2% growth rate.
Builders took out residential building permits worth $4.2 billion in June, up 0.4% from May and 5.2% higher than in June 2013. Six provinces reported an annualized growth rate for residential permits: Nova Scotia led the way (+52.2%) followed by Alberta (+12.5%) and Ontario (+9.0%). Double-digit annualized decreases occurred in three provinces. The largest loses were recorded in Prince Edward Island (-52.6%), Saskatchewan (-23.1%) and Newfoundland and Labrador (-18.4%). Quebec’s annualized gain was 6.7% .
Municipalities issued permits worth $1.7 billion for multi-family dwellings in June, down 6.0% from May and 4.1% lower than in June 2013. Month-over-month decreases were posted in Western Canada. Ontario, Nova Scotia and Quebec recorded gains. Permits for single-family units increased 5.5% from May to $2.4 billion and were up 12.9% over June 2013. Monthly advances were posted in six provinces, with growth in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec leading the way.
Municipalities approved 16,770 new dwellings in June, down 4.6% from May and 4.5% lower than in Junw 2013. There was a 6.9% monthly increase and an 8.0% annualized gain in the number of single-family units, which totaled 6,568. There was a 10.7% monthly decline and an 11.1% annualized decrease in the number of multi-family units approved, which totaled 10,202.
The value of non-residential permits in June grew 32.5% from May to $3.8 billion and increased 42.4% from June 2013. From May to June, industrial permits gained 63.9% to $744 million and were up 62.1.0% from June 2013; institutional permits increased 118.6% from May to $1,256 million and were up 45.5% from a year earlier; while commercial sector permits fell 2.1% from May to $1.8 billion, up 33.7% from June 2013. The institutional growth came mainly from increased construction intentions for medical facilities in Quebec. In the industrial sector, the increase was mainly attributable to higher construction intentions for information technology buildings in Quebec and utilities buildings in Ontario.