Non-residential activity is propping up current construction activity in Ontario, suggests a new Statistics Canada survey of building permits.

In Ontario, overall building permit activity rose to $2.4 billion in September from $2.1 billion in August, an increase of 17.9 per cent, according to figures released Thursday.

However, residential permit values declined by 12.4 per cent while non-residential permit values soared by 62.5 per cent.

In Toronto, building permits rose by 6.3 per cent on a month-to-month basis, rising to $1.07 billion in September. It still represents a decline from July, when building permits totalled $1.13 billion.

Here are some other major Ontario urban areas:

  • Guelph - Down 47.1 per cent to $17.2 million
  • Hamilton - Up 10.1 per cent to $110.9 million
  • Kitchener - Down 33.8 per cent to $58.6 million
  • Barrie - Down 53.1 per cent to $17.3 million
  • Oshawa - Up 18.1 per cent to $60.3 million
  • Peterborough - Down 75 per cent to $11.2 million
  • St. Catharines-Niagara - Up 35.8 per cent to $55.8 million

Nationally, the value of building permits rose 7.9 per cent to $6.5 billion, a rebound after a slow August.

"September's increase was the result of gains in all three components of the non-residential sector. The total value of building permits increased in seven provinces and two territories," Statistics Canada said in a commentary.

"In the non-residential sector, the value of permits rose 41.7 per cent to $3.2 billion. This increase was generated by a substantial gain in institutional permits, and lesser increases in the industrial and commercial components. Major increases occurred in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta."

Of urban areas, Edmonton saw the biggest gains, followed by Saskatoon, Sask. and Toronto.

"Ontario and British Columbia accounted for most of the decline among the six provinces that reported a decrease in multi-family dwellings," the agency said.

"At the same time, permits for single-family dwellings fell 0.7 per cent to $2.1 billion, a third consecutive decline. Significant decreases occurred in Ontario and British Columbia, which more than offset increases in five provinces and the three territories."