Talking Points<\/h4>\n\n\nIn February, Canada saw a decline in the total value of building permits issued, dropping by $1.1 billion (8.4 percent) to $12.1 billion. The non-residential sector led this decrease, falling by $1.3 billion, while the residential sector experienced a modest increase of $135.6 million.<\/p>\n
Residential construction intentions rose to $8.1 billion, primarily driven by a $180.3 million increase in the multi-unit component. Ontario contributed significantly to this rise, with an increase of $320.6 million, while British Columbia also saw gains. However, declines in Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Alberta moderated the overall growth.<\/p>\n
\n- Total building permits decreased 8.6 percent from January and 11.5 percent year-over-year.<\/li>\n
- 21,000 multi-unit and 3,900 single-family dwellings were authorized in February.<\/li>\n
- Multi-family dwelling authorizations increased to 255,500 over the past year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This decline in building permits highlights shifting construction trends and may impact housing availability and economic growth across Canada.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
![\"-\"](\"https:\/\/www.canadiancontractor.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/feb-permits.png\")
In February, the total value of building permits issued in Canada decreased by $1.1 billion (down 8<\/span>.4 \u00a0percent) to reach $12.1 billion. The decline in construction intentions was led by the non-residential sector (down $1.3 billion) and tempered by the residential sector (up $135.6 million). The total value of building permits issued in February decreased 8.6 percent from the previous month and was down 11.5 percent on a year-over-year basis.<\/p>\nMulti-unit component leads residential increase<\/strong><\/p>\nResidential construction intentions rose $135.6 million to $8.1 billion in February. The increase in the multi-unit component (up $180.3 million to $5.4 billion) was partially offset by a decline in the single-family component (down $44.7 million to $2.7 billion). The rise in the multi-unit component in February was driven by Ontario (up $320.6 million) and was supported by British Columbia (up $217.6 million). Declines in Quebec (down $188.1 million), Nova Scotia (down $112.3 million) and Alberta (down $95.2 million) moderated the gain. British Columbia (down $52.8 million) led the decrease in the single-family component in February, and an additional decline was recorded in Ontario (down $28.4 million). Meanwhile, Alberta (up $28.9 million) tempered these losses. Nationwide, a total of 21,000 multi-unit dwellings and 3,900 single-family dwellings were authorized for construction in February, representing a 0.8 percent decrease from the previous month. From March 2025 to February 2026, the total number of multi-family dwellings authorized was 255,500, up from 244,600 during the previous 12-month period.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
In February, Canada saw a decline in the total value of building permits issued, dropping by $1.1 billion (8.4 percent) to $12.1 billion. The non-residential sector led this decrease, falling by $1.3 billion, while the residential sector experienced a modest increase of $135.6 million.<\/p>\n
Residential construction intentions rose to $8.1 billion, primarily driven by a $180.3 million increase in the multi-unit component. Ontario contributed significantly to this rise, with an increase of $320.6 million, while British Columbia also saw gains. However, declines in Quebec, Nova Scotia, and Alberta moderated the overall growth.<\/p>\n
- \n
- Total building permits decreased 8.6 percent from January and 11.5 percent year-over-year.<\/li>\n
- 21,000 multi-unit and 3,900 single-family dwellings were authorized in February.<\/li>\n
- Multi-family dwelling authorizations increased to 255,500 over the past year.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
This decline in building permits highlights shifting construction trends and may impact housing availability and economic growth across Canada.<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
In February, the total value of building permits issued in Canada decreased by $1.1 billion (down 8<\/span>.4 \u00a0percent) to reach $12.1 billion. The decline in construction intentions was led by the non-residential sector (down $1.3 billion) and tempered by the residential sector (up $135.6 million). The total value of building permits issued in February decreased 8.6 percent from the previous month and was down 11.5 percent on a year-over-year basis.<\/p>\nMulti-unit component leads residential increase<\/strong><\/p>\n
Residential construction intentions rose $135.6 million to $8.1 billion in February. The increase in the multi-unit component (up $180.3 million to $5.4 billion) was partially offset by a decline in the single-family component (down $44.7 million to $2.7 billion). The rise in the multi-unit component in February was driven by Ontario (up $320.6 million) and was supported by British Columbia (up $217.6 million). Declines in Quebec (down $188.1 million), Nova Scotia (down $112.3 million) and Alberta (down $95.2 million) moderated the gain. British Columbia (down $52.8 million) led the decrease in the single-family component in February, and an additional decline was recorded in Ontario (down $28.4 million). Meanwhile, Alberta (up $28.9 million) tempered these losses. Nationwide, a total of 21,000 multi-unit dwellings and 3,900 single-family dwellings were authorized for construction in February, representing a 0.8 percent decrease from the previous month. From March 2025 to February 2026, the total number of multi-family dwellings authorized was 255,500, up from 244,600 during the previous 12-month period.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n