Building permits see first drop in 6 months

OTTAWA — Canadian municipalities issued $7.9 billion worth of building permits in July, according to new StatCan data, down 3.5% from June and the first decrease since March. Lower construction intentions for commercial buildings and multi-family dwellings were mainly responsible for the national decline. Seven provinces posted decreases, with the largest decline in Ontario. Residential building permits for the month amounted to $5 billion, down 2.2% from June and the first decline since April.