Building intentions inch up in October

OTTAWA — The total value of building permits was $7.5 billion in October, edging up 0.7% from September, reports StatCan. The increase came mainly from higher construction intentions in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan. In the residential sector, the value of permits edged down 0.4% to $4.5 billion in October, following a 7.4% increase in September. Residential construction intentions fell in five provinces, with Quebec and Ontario accounting for most of the decline at the national level, while Alberta and Nova Scotia posted the largest increases.