Construction intentions rise in Canada

The value of building projects issued permits for construction in Canada rose 1.7 percent from August to September, Statistics Canada reported Wednesday. September was the seventh month of 2013 in which permit values rose, the data agency said. The value construction intentions in the month came to $6.5 billion -- only a slight gain from the first of the year, StatsCan said. The increase in September was given a boost mostly by gains in residential construction in Alberta and Quebec, the agency said. The value of residential building intentions rose 3.3 percent to $4.1 billion following a 4.8 percent drop in August. In commercial building, the value of projects for which permits were issued dropped 0.8 percent to $2.5 billion,marking the third decline in four months. Commercial permit by value fell in Alberta and Manitoba, offsetting gains in the other provinces, StatsCan said.