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Statistics Canada said gains were recorded in seven provinces, with the biggest increases coming in British Columbia and Quebec, where permits were issued across all sectors. hotograph by: Spencer Platt, Getty Images
OTTAWA — Building permits rose unexpectedly in June, rising one per cent to $5.2 billion, Statistics Canada said Thursday.
The sharpest increases in the value of building permits issued in June were in British Columbia (+30.3%, for a total value of $632 million), which had gains in every component except commercial and industrial building permits.
“The increase was attributable to gains in both residential and non-residential construction intentions,” the federal agency said.
Economists had expected permits to decline by about three per cent in June.
Statistics Canada said gains were recorded in seven provinces, with the biggest increases coming in B.C. and Quebec, where permits were issued across all sectors.
Among major centres, Montreal and Hamilton posted the biggest gains. The value of permits declined in Calgary.
“Since the beginning of 2009, the value of permits has fallen by 26.2 per cent compared with the same period a year earlier,” the agency said. “The institutional component of the non-residential sector was the only component that posted a gain compared with the first six months of 2008.”=
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