Data indicate that both housing starts and building permits rose in Canada during July and August despite the typically slower months for construction activity.
Statistics Canada reported Thursday that the value of building permits rose 6.3 percent to $7 billion in July, marking the third consecutive month increase in permits. The value of building permits in July also matched the record high set in May 2007.
The increase was driven by the residential sector, where permits jumped 14.6 percent to $4.3 billion--the highest level since December 2005.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC) reported Friday that housing starts in Canada were estimated at 205,100 units in July, up about 4.3 percent from 196,600 units in June.
Urban housing starts led the increase, rising 4.7 percent to 185,200 units in July. Multiple urban starts were up by 13 percent to 120,200 units. Meanwhile, urban single starts fell 7.8 in July to 65,000 units. The CMHC said rural starts were about 19,900 in July compared to 22,800 in June.