Breaking News

Winnipeg Free Press - ONLINE EDITION

Building permits tumble in Manitoba

By: Murray McNeill

5/11/2009 11:47 AM | Comments: 0

WINNIPEG — Building-permit activity was down for the second straight month in September in Manitoba, according to new figures issued this morning.

Manitoba municipalities issued $102.8 million worth of permits during the month, which was a decline of 20.8 per cent from August’s total of $129.9 million, Statistics Canada said.

September’s decline came on the heels of a 24.7 per cent drop in August. That decline halted four consecutive months of increasing permit activity.

Building-permits are an early indicator of future building activity because builders must obtain a permit before construction can begin on a project. Increasing numbers are usually followed by an increase in building activity, and vice versa.

Manitoba was one of three provinces to post a decline in permit values in September. British Columbia and Newfoundland and Labrador were the others.

Canada saw its permit values increase by 1.6 per cent to $5.1 billion for the month. "This second consecutive monthly increase came from higher intentions in the residential sector," the agency said, "which more than offset a decline in the non-residential sector."

Manitoba’s September decline was also due to a drop-off in non-residential permit activity, which plummeted by 50.1 per cent to $30.3 million. That was only partially offset by a 4.9 per cent increase in residential-permit values ($72.5 million vs. $69.1 million in August).

murray.mcneill@freepress.mb.ca

Rate this
This article has not yet been rated.

We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high. If you thought it was well written, do the same. If it doesn’t meet your standards, mark it accordingly.

You can also register and/or login to the site and join the conversation by leaving a comment.

Rate it yourself by rolling over the stars and clicking when you reach your desired rating. We want you to tell us what you think of our articles. If the story moves you, compels you to act or tells you something you didn’t know, mark it high.