Construction intentions hit another record high in 2006, thanks mainly to soaring demand for residential and non-residential space in Western Canada, Statistics Canada reported today.

Municipalities issued a record $66.2 billion worth of building permits, up 9% from the previous high of $60.8 million in 2005.

Construction intentions in both the residential and non-residential sectors reached new highs and intentions set new records in every province but Prince Edward Island and Ontario.

The overall picture was elevated by especially strong intentions in Alberta and British Columbia, without which the overall value of permits would have increased by just 1% instead of 9%.

The value of housing permits surpassed the $40 billion mark for the first time, increasing 5.9% to $41 billion, primarily because of higher prices.

The value of non-residential permits hit $25.2 billion in 2006, up 14.5% from the previous record of $22 billion in 2005, with gains in all three non-residential components — industrial, institutional and commercial.