NOVEMBER BUILDING PERMITS INCREASE SECOND BEST IN NATION

Statistics Canada released building permit statistics for November 2010 today which indicate Saskatchewan had a 38.8 per cent increase over November 2009, the second-highest increase in Canada (seasonally adjusted).

Nationally, permits were down by 10.3 per cent on average with six provinces experiencing a decline over the same period.

"The increase in building permits for November is another significant indicator that the Saskatchewan economy is picking up momentum," Enterprise Minister Jeremy Harrison said. "Since most forecasters have predicted our province will lead the nation in economic growth this year, it is not surprising to see building permits up considerably."

Non-residential construction was up 26.4 per cent in November 2010 when compared with last November, while residential construction climbed 45.8 per cent.

"The year-over year figures are up in both residential and non-residential construction," Harrison said. "This is definitely fuelling more optimism as we head into 2011."

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For more information, contact:

Deb Young
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-798-0503
Email: Deb.Young@enterprisesask.ca