March Building Permits - May 5, 2011

Canadian building permits increased 17.2 per cent in February to their highest level since June of 2007, mostly due to advances in both residential and non-residential permitting activity in Ontario. Residential permits broke a string of two consecutive monthly declines, rising 33.9 per cent in March. Non-residential building permits edged slightly lower by 0.4 per cent.  Construction intentions in BC were also strong, with residential permits rising 3.2 per cent from February while non-residential activity continued a strong trend from February, increasing 115.5 per cent. 

Higher building permits were observed in both Kelowna and Vancouver with permit values rising 238.9 per cent and 48.3 per cent respectively. March Permit values were more than 20 per cent lower in Abbotsford and Victoria  CMA's.