The value of building permits in Canada jumped 6 percent from the prior month to CAD 8.8 billion in December 2018, following a downwardly revised 2.1 percent rise in November and against market expectations of a 1.0 percent fall. It is the largest monthly increase in building permits since May 2017 (12.9%). The value of permits issued for non-residential building rose 8.9 percent month-over-month to CAD 3.5 billion, mainly due to higher construction intentions for commercial buildings (14.6% to a record high CAD 2.3 billion). Meantime, in the residential sector, the value of building permits rose 4.2 percent to CAD 5.3 billion, as multi-family dwellings surged 11.1 percent to a record high CAD 3.3 billion. Conversely, the single-family component posted a decline (-5.4%). The total value of building permits was up in six provinces in December, led by British Columbia.