Canadian building permits increased in June, underpinned largely by higher construction intentions for multifamily dwellings and commercial buildings, according to Statistics Canada.

The total value of building permits issued by municipalities in June went up 2.5% to a seasonally adjusted C$8.06 billion, the second-highest value on record, from a revised C$7.86 billion in May.

Residential building permits fell 0.9% to C$5.05 billion in June from a revised C$5.10 billion in May, the fourth decline in five months. Permits for single-family dwellings dropped 12.5% to C$2.40 billion while construction intentions for multifamily dwellings surged 12.5% to C$2.66 billion.

Building permits for nonresidential structures in June increased 8.8% to C$3.01 billion as all three components – commercial, industrial and institutional – increased over the period, with the commercial component surging 13.0% from May.

The total value of building permits rose in six provinces in June, led by Quebec and Manitoba.