SASKATCHEWAN BUILDING PERMIT INCREASES HIGHEST IN THE NATION

Good news on the building front in March of this year according to a report released by Statistics Canada today. Saskatchewan's building permits increased by 65.1 per cent (seasonally-adjusted) between February 2010 and March 2010 - the highest percentage increase in Canada.

Residential permits were up 64.3 per cent and non-residential permits increased by 66.3 per cent over the same period.

"This is a substantial increase in construction that confirms Saskatchewan's economy is doing very well when compared with other provinces," Enterprise Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. "Construction activity is a good indication of consumer and business confidence, and an important measure of economic growth."

Building permits in the province increased by 73.4 per cent in March 2010 when compared with March 2009, the third highest increase among the provinces (seasonally-adjusted).

The Saskatoon Census Metropolitan Area (CMA) saw an increase of 80.5 per cent in building permit values between March 2009 and March 2010, while the Regina CMA had an increase of 85.3 per cent in this period (seasonally-adjusted).

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For more information, contact:

Deb Young
Enterprise Saskatchewan
Regina
Phone: 306-787-6315
Email: Deb.Young@enterprisesask.ca