September 16, 2026
The total value of building permits issued in Canada fell 17.3% in July 2026 to $12.2 billion, according to Statistics Canada, more than offsetting the $2.3-billion increase recorded in June.
Permit values declined by $2.6 billion during the month, led by the non-residential sector, which fell $1.9 billion. Residential construction intentions decreased by $701.2 million.
On a constant-dollar basis, total building permit values were down 17.5% month over month and 2.2% compared with July 2025.
Non-residential building permits dropped to $5.0 billion, with institutional construction accounting for most of the decrease.
Institutional permit values fell $1.5 billion to $1.7 billion, driven primarily by a $1.1-billion decline in Ontario. Quebec and British Columbia also recorded decreases.
Industrial permits declined $443.3 million to $795.5 million, with Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta leading the losses.
Commercial construction was the exception, increasing $41 million to $2.5 billion, supported by gains in Quebec and British Columbia.
Residential construction intentions decreased to $7.2 billion, with multi-unit housing accounting for most of the decline.
Multi-unit permit values fell $531.8 million to $4.7 billion, led by British Columbia, Alberta and Quebec. Single-family permits decreased $169.4 million to $2.5 billion.
Across Canada, permits were issued for 19,200 multi-unit dwellings and 4,100 single-family homes in July, representing a combined 10.1% decrease from June.
From August 2025 through July 2026, Canada authorized approximately 297,100 multi-unit dwellings, down from 308,200 during the previous 12-month period.
The July results indicate broad-based weakness in construction intentions, although conditions varied considerably by sector and province.
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