Canadian building permits totaled $13.8 billion (CAD) in October, increasing 14.9% from September and 9.6% from the comparable month last year. Residential authorizations grew 14.6% from September and 8.4% year-over-year to $8.6 billion. Single-family permits totaled $2.6 billion, up 1.8% from the prior month but 10.6% lower than October 2024. Multi-family levels were $5.9 billion, surging 21.3% from September and 19.6% from the same month last year. Non-residential permits rose 15.4% from the prior month and 11.7% from October 2024 to $5.3 billion.

Ontario's multi-family component leads residential sector increases
In October, residential construction intentions increased $1.1 billion (+14.6%) to $8.6 billion. Ontario (+$882.6 million) contributed the most to the national growth.

The multi-family component grew $1.0 billion to $5.9 billion in October. The largest increase was recorded in Ontario (+$876.4 million), specifically the Toronto census metropolitan area (CMA) (+$408.9 million), followed by Quebec (+$81.4 million). Overall, seven provinces and one territory contributed to the increase in this component.

The single-family component was up $47.0 million to $2.6 billion in October, with the gains being primarily attributed to Alberta (+$28.7 million).

Across Canada, a total of 24,300 multi-family dwellings and 4,100 single-family dwellings were authorized in October, marking a 13.6% increase from the previous month. Year-to-date, the average number of multi-family dwellings authorized is 21,500 per month, up from 19,100 during the same period in 2024.

Source: statcan.gc.ca