Building permits climb in December

OTTAWA — The value of building permits issued by Canadian municipalities rose 11.3% to $6.9 billion in December, following a 19.9% decline the previous month, according to StatCan. Higher construction intentions for multi-family dwellings in Quebec, Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta explained the advance. Construction intentions in the residential sector increased 16.3% to $4.7 billion in December, following a 17.9% decline the previous month. Gains were posted in every province except Saskatchewan. Higher construction intentions for multi-family dwellings led the advance. Municipalities issued $2.3 billion worth of non-residential building permits in December, up 2.5% over the previous month. This increase followed a 23.2% decline in November.