Building permits dropped 8.4% - here's what's really happening - Shocking Statcan Report

Canada Building Permits Drop 8.4% — But Housing Isn’t the Main Problem View the data: https://realist.ca/insights/building-permits Canada’s building permits fell 8.4% in February to just over $12B, but the decline was driven by a 24% collapse in non-residential permits—especially institutional and commercial activity, led heavily by Ontario—while residential permitting was roughly flat to slightly up. The script argues the housing story remains concentrated in multi-unit, purpose-built rental supply, supported by CMHC’s MLI Select financing, while single-family construction remains near record lows. With apartment permitting still rising on a rolling 12-month basis, the episode suggests more rental supply could push rents (and then prices) lower, while any future shortage risk is more likely in detached housing, though affordability limits demand. It also notes permits are only intentions, not starts or completions, and highlights growing regional unevenness in Canada’s construction pipeline. 00:00 Permits Drop Explained 00:22 Apartments Still Rising 01:12 Headline vs Reality 03:29 Non Residential Slump 04:20 MLI Select Boost 05:40 Renters Not Owners 07:14 Canada Apartment Nation 10:09 Provincial Winners Losers 13:11 Economic Warning Signs 16:00 Permits Are Not Starts 18:42 Wrap Up And Questions #investing #realestateinvestingcanada #buildingpermits #construction #canadianeconomy #canada #realestate #torontorealestate