Saskatchewan tops national building permit values

REGINA — Saskatchewan is top dog when it comes to building permits.

Statistics Canada released June 2021 numbers on the value of building permits, with Saskatchewan seeing an increase of 27.6 per cent from May 2021 (seasonally-adjusted), which was the highest percentage increase among the provinces. 

Nationally, permits were up only 6.9 per cent.

The total value of building permits in Saskatchewan was $160 million.

“The strong growth in Saskatchewan’s building permits in June was the highest in Canada and significantly higher than the national average,” Jeremy Harrison, trade and export development minister, said in a statement. “This is a further sign of confidence in our economy and shows our economic recovery coming out of the global pandemic is on the right track and continues to lead the nation.”

Building permits were also up 76.6 per cent year-over-year compared to June 2020, the second highest percentage increase in the nation and ahead of the 24.1 per cent growth recorded nationally. 

Non-residential building permits (seasonally-adjusted) were up 31.1 per cent over May 2021, and residential permits increased by 24.4 per cent in this period. Year-over-year they were up 87.9 per cent and 67.8 per cent, respectively.