Building permits soar in March

The value of building permits in March rose 5.7 percent to $10.9 billion, according to StatCan, reflecting a booming residential sector and marking a third record-setting month. The residential sector climbed 15.9 percent, clearing the $8 billion mark for the first time in March. Single-family homes also reached new heights, increasing 7.6 percent to $3.8 billion. The census metropolitan area of Oshawa, outside Toronto, was responsible for just over one-third of this growth.