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Statistics Canada reported an overall contraction in building permit values in August, but there were several bright spots tempering declining components as the overall picture is rather mixed.
Building permits, August 2025. (Sources: Statistics Canada, Table 34-10-0292-01, Building permits, by type of building and type of work.)
The total value of building permits issued in Canada dropped $139.2 million, or 1.2 per cent, in August, landing at $11.6 billion, reports Statistics Canada. Notable declines were recorded in Ontario, which was off some $563.3 million From July, and Alberta, which dipped by $461.5 million. Those results were tempered by a $612.2 million month-to-month increase in British Columbia and a gain of $294.2 million in Quebec.
Residential construction intentions decreased $173.8 million to $7 billion in August. The decline was primarily attributable as Ontario landed $432.8 million behind the July figures and Alberta dropped $311.1 million for the month. Tempering those declines were British Columbia, which posted a $331.4 million gain, and Quebec, which reported in $155.5 million ahead of July.
Within that sector, the single-family component declined $112.3 million to $2.5 billion in August, while multi-family construction intentions were down $61.5 million, coming in at $4.5 billion. Again, Ontario and Alberta paced the declines, falling $301.8 million and $251.5 million, respectively, while increases of $329.7 million in British Columbia, and $118.7 million in Quebec helped to offset some of the regional declines. Of note was a $300.3 million increase in the Vancouver census metropolitan area.
Across Canada, there were 20,500 multi-family dwellings and 4,100 single-family dwellings authorized in August, a decrease of 0.9 per cent from the previous month.
The non-residential sector had a better month in August, with building permits edging up $34.6 million, or 0.8 per cent, to reach $4.6 billion on the strength of the institutional segment, which received a boost from hospital construction intentions in the Toronto CMA and government buildings in the Vancouver CMA.That component was up 14.4 per cent for the month, coming in at $1.68 billion.
The commercial component decreased six per cent to come in at $2.1 billion, while the industrial component declined $42.6 million to settle at $763 million in August. Decreases were recorded in eight provinces.