Ontario Construction News staff writer
Residential construction intentions across Canada fell in August, with the total value of permits dropping $173.8 million (-2.4%) to $7.0 billion, according to Statistics Canada.
The decline was largely driven by decreases in Ontario (-$432.8 million) and Alberta (-$311.1 million), which offset gains in British Columbia (+$331.4 million) and Quebec (+$155.5 million).
The single-family housing component fell $112.3 million to $2.5 billion, with the most significant decreases recorded in Ontario (-$131.0 million) and Alberta (-$59.6 million). Growth in Quebec (+$36.8 million) and Manitoba (+$23.2 million) helped ease the national decline.
The multi-family sector saw a more modest decline, down $61.5 million to $4.5 billion. Ontario (-$301.8 million) and Alberta (-$251.5 million) once again led the downturn, but the losses were tempered by strong gains in British Columbia (+$329.7 million) — almost entirely concentrated in the Vancouver census metropolitan area (CMA), which rose $300.3 million — and in Quebec (+$118.7 million).
Nationally, municipalities authorized 20,500 multi-family units and 4,100 single-family homes in August, representing a 0.9% decrease from July.
While residential activity cooled, the non-residential sector edged up $34.6 million (+0.8%) to $4.6 billion in August.
The institutional component rose $211.3 million, led by a $235.3 million jump in Ontario, driven by hospital construction intentions in the Toronto CMA. British Columbia followed with an increase of $78.2 million, supported by new government building projects in Vancouver. The rise was partially offset by Nova Scotia (-$96.4 million), following a July spike in long-term care facility permits.
Meanwhile, the commercial component declined $134.0 million, led by Ontario (-$308.2 million) after two consecutive months of gains. British Columbia (+$190.4 million) helped temper the loss.
The industrial sector slipped $42.6 million, with decreases in eight provinces, led by Ontario (-$57.6 million). Quebec (+$90.8 million) provided the largest offset.
Overall, August’s permit figures show continued strength in institutional construction even as residential intentions — particularly in Ontario and Alberta — cool amid higher financing costs and uncertain housing market conditions.
