Building permits up to $7.5 billion in September: Statistics Canada

OTTAWA – Statistics Canada says the value of building permits issued by municipalities rose 12.7 per cent to $7.5 billion in September after a big plunge the previous month.

Economists had expected a gain of six per cent, according to Thomson Reuters.

Statistics Canada says the increase resulted mostly from higher construction intentions for both non-residential and residential buildings in Ontario.

It says the value of non-residential building permits rose 23.9 per cent to $3.1 billion in September — the fifth increase in six months.

The federal agency says six provinces posted higher non-residential construction intentions, led by Ontario.

On the residential side, the agency says the value of permits rose 6.1 per cent to $4.4 billion in September. It says seven provinces — again led by Ontario — posted gains, while Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba had declines.