Building permits down in August

OTTAWA — The total value of building permits issued by Canadian municipalities fell 27.3% to $6.7 billion in August, following three months of double-digit increases. The August decline was mainly the result of lower construction intentions for non-residential buildings in Quebec and residential buildings in Ontario. In the non-residential sector, the total value of building permits decreased 40.6% to $2.5 billion in August, following four consecutive monthly gains. Lower construction intentions were posted in seven provinces, with Quebec contributing most to the national decline. After five consecutive monthly advances, the total value of permits in the residential sector declined 15.9% in August to $4.2 billion.