The value of building permits fell 15.9 per cent to $3.7 billion in February, with the largest decreases coming in Ontario's non-residential sector.
Statistics Canada reports the value of residential permits edged down 0.3 per cent to $2.1 billion as an increase in the value of permits for multiple dwellings in British Columbia nearly offset declines in six provinces.
The agency says the value of non-residential permits fell 30.5 per cent to $1.6 billion, due to a drop in Ontario and decreases in four other provinces.
The total value of construction intentions declined in half the provinces.
The value of permits for institutional components declined 56.4 per cent to $363 million in February after a 64.2 per cent fall in January.
Permit values for the commercial component declined 20.4 per cent to $972 million.
The value of industrial permits increased 14.3 per cent to $236 million, following a 50.8 per cent decrease in January.
