The total value of building permits issued in Canada fell by $830 million (7%) in April 2025, reaching $11.7 billion. The decline was led by British Columbia, which dropped $1.2 billion, while Ontario offset part of the loss with a $299 million increase, according to Statistics Canada.
Residential construction intentions dropped by 12% to $7.4 billion, driven mainly by an $883 million fall in multi-family permits. The number of total dwelling units authorized declined by 7% from the previous month to 25,600, including 21,400 multi-family and 4,200 single-family units. British Columbia’s multi-family permits alone declined by $837 million, largely due to a $1 billion reduction in the Vancouver metropolitan area.
Single-family construction permits decreased by $85 million nationwide, with Alberta accounting for a $37 million reduction. This was partially offset by a $27 million increase in Quebec.
In contrast, non-residential permit values rose by $138 million (3%) to $4.3 billion. Ontario led this increase with a $353 million gain, lifting its total non-residential permits to $2 billion, up 21% from March. The commercial segment alone rose by $259 million in Ontario, boosted by office building projects in Toronto. Industrial permits in the province also climbed $137 million, while institutional construction dropped $43 million.
British Columbia reduced the national non-residential gain, with its total down $341 million. Its commercial and institutional permits fell by $165 million and $158 million, respectively.
On a year-over-year basis, the total value of building permits in Canada declined by 14%, with residential down 15% and non-residential down 13%. In constant dollars (2023=100), the monthly decline was 7% and the annual drop was 16%.
