The value of building permits issued in Canada declined C$2.6 billion, or 17.3%, from June to C$12.2 billion in July, more than offsetting the C$2.3 billion gain recorded in June. The non-residential sector led the decrease, losing C$1.9 billion, while residential permits were down C$701.2 million, Statistics Canada reported.
Residential permits declined 8.9% to C$7.2 billion. The multi-unit component accounted for most of the decrease, falling C$531.8 million to C$4.7 billion, while the single-family component was down C$169.4 million to C$2.5 billion. Across Canada, 19,200 multi-unit dwellings and 4,100 single-family dwellings were authorized in July, 10.1% fewer than in June.
Non-residential permits dropped C$1.9 billion to C$5.0 billion from the previous month. The institutional component led the decrease, down C$1.5 billion to C$1.7 billion. The industrial component was down C$443.3 million to C$795.5 million. The commercial component increased C$41.0 million to C$2.5 billion.
British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec led the decline in multi-unit permits, while Quebec led the drop in single-family permits. Ontario drove the reduction in institutional permits, with Quebec and British Columbia also contributing. The commercial gain came mainly from Quebec.