Significant increases in construction intentions in Toronto and Edmonton

According to Statistics Canada, the total value of permits issued in March 2013 was up in 16 of the 34 census metropolitan areas. The largest increases were in Toronto and Edmonton, with Saskatoon a distant third. In Toronto, the advance was largely attributable to commercial and institutional buildings. In Edmonton, the increase was primarily the result of higher construction intentions for institutional buildings. In Saskatoon, the value of permits was up for the third consecutive month in March, mostly because of institutional and industrial buildings. In constrast, Montréal and Vancouver had the largest declines. In Montréal, construction intentions were down 17.8 per cent, falling below the $500 million mark for the first time since November 2011. All components except the commercial component contributed to the decline. In Vancouver, commercial and institutional buildings and single-family dwellings were responsible for the decline. http://www.statcan.gc.ca/daily-quotidien/130506/dq130506a-eng.htm