June 16, 2026
SUMMARY
Ontario’s ICI building permit value totaled $2.15 billion in April 2026, down 9.7% from March. The decline was mainly driven by a sharp drop in industrial permits. Despite the monthly decrease, commercial, institutional, and industrial permit values all remained above April 2025 levels. Toronto continued to account for the largest share of activity, while London recorded a strong increase driven by industrial projects. Medical and hospital buildings led all building types in permit value during the month.
PROVINCIAL OVERVIEW
Ontario’s total ICI building permits reached $2.15 billion in April 2026, down 9.7% from March.
The decline was driven by the industrial sector, where permit values fell to $0.54 billion from $1.14 billion in March.
Commercial permit values increased to $0.87 billion, while institutional permits rose to $0.74 billion. Both sectors posted month-over-month gains. All three sectors remained above their levels from April 2025.
Building permit values can fluctuate significantly from month to month, as a small number of large projects can have a major impact on totals.
REGIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
Toronto recorded $1.07 billion in permits in April, down 27.6% from March. The decline was largely driven by lower industrial permit values.
Outside Toronto, London recorded the highest permit value at $249.3 million, its strongest level since July 2024. The increase was mainly supported by industrial projects. Ottawa-Gatineau followed with $96.0 million in permits, while Oshawa reached $73.7 million. Institutional projects drove activity in Ottawa-Gatineau, while industrial construction led growth in Oshawa.
St. Catharines-Niagara recorded the fastest monthly growth, with permit values increasing 461% from March. Other notable gains were seen in London, Kingston, and Thunder Bay. The largest declines were reported in Hamilton, Barrie, and Ottawa-Gatineau.
WHAT IS BEING BUILT?
The commercial sector accounted for 40.4% of total ICI permit value in April, followed by the institutional sector at 34.4% and the industrial sector at 25.2%.
Medical and hospital buildings recorded the highest permit value at $397.7 million. This category also posted the largest monthly increase, with permit values more than seven times higher than in March.
Transportation and utility projects followed at $309.3 million, while office buildings reached $233.3 million and schools totaled $229.7 million.
Hotels and restaurants recorded $163.4 million in permit value, the highest level so far this year. This was 262.5% higher than March and 42% above April 2025 levels.
Several categories recorded declines from the previous month, including factories, welfare homes, laboratories, government buildings, office buildings, and service stations.
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FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT:
Gargi Bharti
Economic and Research Project Lead
Ontario Construction Secretariat (OCS)
180 Attwell Drive, Suite 360, Toronto, ON M9W 6A9
P 416.620.5210
gbharti@iciconstruction.com
