Canada’s building permits fell by 7.6% month-on-month to C$12.5 billion in April 2026, reversing a 10.6% increase in the previous month and missing forecasts of a 3.5% decline. The value of non-residential permits dropped 10.5% to C$5.0 billion, led by declines in the institutional (-C$388.2 million) and industrial (-C$323.2 million) components, partly offset by a rise in commercial permits (+C$125.6 million). Residential construction intentions fell 5.5% to C$7.5 billion, mainly due to a decline in multi-family permits (-C$429.7 million), while the value of single-family permits remained virtually unchanged at C$2.7 billion. Despite the monthly decline, the total value of building permits issued in April was 2.7% higher than a year earlier.