The value of Canadian building permits fell C$552.8 million in September to C$12.9 billion, Statistics Canada reported November 12. Residential permits accounted for most of the decline, falling C$475.7 million, while non-residential permits declined C$77.1 million.

Within housing, multi-family intentions fell to C$5.1 billion. A rise in single-family permits to C$2.7 billion partly offset that decline. British Columbia and Alberta led the reduction in multi-family permit value. These are September construction intentions, rather than a measure of homes completed in November.

Across the third quarter, total permit value fell 3.6% to C$38.8 billion in current dollars. Adjusted for price changes, the quarterly decline was 4.8%. The release generally presents seasonally adjusted figures; the difference between current and constant dollars matters when separating changes in prices from changes in construction activity.