BUILDING PERMITS OFF TO STRONG START IN 2011

Statistics Canada today released building permit totals for the month of January with some positive news for the province's construction industry.

In January 2011 building permits totalled $199 million and were up by 67.5 per cent from last January (seasonally-adjusted), the second highest percentage increase among the provinces. Building permits were up by 202.2 per cent in Regina and 52.1 per cent in Saskatoon over the same period.

"Building permit activity is driven by a variety of economic conditions including a growing population, strong housing markets and a confident business community," Enterprise Minister Jeremy Harrison said. "We are confident that in 2011 construction will continue to reach higher levels, providing job and business opportunities in housing, commercial and industrial projects."

Non-residential construction was up by 110.6 per cent in January 2011 over last January. Residential construction was up by 43.5 per cent over the same period.

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For more information, contact:

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