Source: The Canadian Press

The value of building permits totalled $6.6 billion in June, up 6.5% from May and a 24.9% increase from a year earlier.

Statistics Canada reports June’s increase was due to the non-residential sector, which more than offset a decline in the residential sector.

The value of non-residential permits increased 23.5% from May to $3 billion.

The agency says that’s largely due to higher commercial and institutional construction intentions in Ontario and higher commercial construction intentions in Alberta.

The value of residential permits fell 4.5% to $3.6 billion in June, as a result of a drop in single-family housing permits.

The total value of permits was up in six provinces, led by Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador and British Columbia, while Saskatchewan posted the largest decrease.