Statistics Canada reported Thursday that the value of building permits in March reached $6.8 billion-not only a 17.2 percent increase over February but the highest level since June 2007. The gain in residential permits drove the increase, as the value of residential permits jumped 33.9 percent to $4 billion in March.
In the non-residential sector, the value of permits fell slightly from February to $2.8 billion-a 0.4 percent month-on-month decline. March's decrease follows a 72.7 percent increase in February.