In August 2025, the total value of building permits issued in Canada was down $139.2 million (-1.2%) to $11.6 billion. Notable declines recorded in Ontario (-$563.3 million) and Alberta (-$461.5 million) were tempered by increases in British Columbia (+$612.2 million) and Quebec (+$294.2 million), as Statistics Canada reported.
On a constant dollar basis (2023=100), the total value of building permits issued in August decreased 1.5% from the previous month and was down 5.9% on a year-over-year basis.
Residential construction intentions decreased $173.8 million (-2.4%) to $7.0 billion in August. The decline was primarily attributable to Ontario (-$432.8 million) and Alberta (-$311.1 million), while British Columbia (+$331.4 million) and Quebec (+$155.5 million) tempered the losses.
The single-family component declined $112.3 million to $2.5 billion in August, driven by Ontario (-$131.0 million) and followed by Alberta (-$59.6 million). Quebec (+$36.8 million) and Manitoba (+$23.2 million) mitigated the decline.
Multi-family construction intentions were down $61.5 million to $4.5 billion in August, driven by Ontario (-$301.8 million) and Alberta (-$251.5 million). The decrease was tempered by increases in British Columbia (+$329.7 million), concentrated in the Vancouver census metropolitan area (CMA) (+$300.3 million), and Quebec (+$118.7 million).
Across Canada, there were 20,500 multi-family dwellings and 4,100 single-family dwellings authorized in August, marking a decrease of 0.9% from the previous month.
