Building permits decline in June

OTTAWA — Municipalities issued building permits worth $6.4 billion in June, down 5.5% from the previous month, according to StatCan. Lower construction intentions for multi-family dwellings and institutional buildings were mostly responsible for the decline. The value of permits for multi-family dwellings was down 15.8% to $1.7 billion in June. Declines were recorded in seven provinces, led by Ontario and British Columbia. Construction intentions for single-family homes were up 4.2% to $2.4 billion, the fourth advance in five months. The gains were spread among seven provinces, led by Ontario. The value of non-residential permits was down 6.2% to $2.3 billion, led by lower construction intentions for institutional buildings.