ottawacanadian building permits rose in september led by higher construction intentions for multifamily residential units the total value of building permits in september advanced 43 on a monthovermonth basis to a seasonally adjusted 1014 billion canadian dollars or the equivalent of us820 billion statistics canada said tuesday market expectations werent immediately available in the previous month permits issued fell by a slightly revised 20 versus an earlier estimate of a 21 decline on a yearoveryear basis the overall value of permits issued in september advanced by 49 building permits provide an early indication of construction activity in canada and are based on a survey of 2400 municipalities representing 95 of the countrys population the issuance of a permit doesnt guarantee that construction is imminent