Statistics Canada says the value of building permits issued in November fell 3.6% to $6.1 billion after an especially strong October, when the increase was 11.6%.

A drop in non-residential permits in November, especially in Ontario, more than offset gains in the value of residential permits.

There were $2.2 billion worth of non-residential permits issued in November, down 17.6% from October.

Permit values in the residential sector rose 6.9% to $3.9 billion following three consecutive monthly declines.

The value of building permits for single-family dwellings rose 8.2% to $2.4 billion, while multi-family permits rose 5.0% to $1.5 billion.

Nationally, municipalities approved the construction of 16,895 new dwellings, up 5.8% from October.

There were declines in all three components of the non-residential sector.

Institutional permits declined 34.1% to $692 million, following an increase of 178.8% in October.

The largest drop was in Ontario, where there were fewer plans for new medical facilities and government buildings.

Municipalities issued $439 million in industrial permits, down 12.3% from October.

The largest declines were in permits for manufacturing plants in Quebec and utilities buildings in Alberta and Manitoba. Ontario recorded the largest increases as a result of higher construction intentions for transportation and utilities buildings.

Commercial building intentions were down for a second consecutive month, slipping 5.1% to $1.1 billion.

Commercial gains in seven provinces did not offset decreases in Ontario, Newfoundland and Labrador and New Brunswick. Ontario posted the largest decline as a result of lower construction intentions, mostly for retail stores and recreational facilities.

Overall in November, the value of building permits decreased in six provinces, led by Ontario, followed by Alberta and Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Ontario declines were institutional and commercial buildings, as well as multi-family dwellings.

In Alberta, the drop was particularly attributable to institutional and industrial buildings and single-family dwellings.

The Newfoundland and Labrador decrease was mainly the result of lower construction intentions for commercial buildings.

British Columbia recorded the largest increase as a result of gains in the residential sector as well as in the institutional and commercial buildings. Nova Scotia followed with increases in both residential and non-residential sectors.