Construction site activity picked up in Saskatchewan during the month of May according to a report released by Statistics Canada today.
On a seasonally-adjusted basis, building permits in the province were up by 16 per cent between April 2010 and May 2010, the second highest percentage increase among the provinces. Only three provinces had a positive increase over this period, while nationally, permits dropped by 10.8 per cent.
"The figures released today are indicative of an economy that is on its way up," Enterprise Minister Jeremy Harrison said. "Non-residential construction has picked up, increasing 30.4 per cent between April and May, which is definitely good news."
Building permits were up by 18.4 per cent in May 2010 when compared with May 2009, and the province ranked fifth in the nation on a percentage basis. During this same period, permits were up by 101.8 per cent in Saskatoon and 42.2 per cent in Regina.
"Building permits are tracking very well in 2010 when compared with last year, and the significant improvements in Saskatoon and Regina will definitely have a positive impact on the Saskatchewan economy this year," Harrison said.
