Statistics Canada says the total value of permits issued by municipalities plummeted about 17 per cent in April. It was the largest decline since a similar drop in October 2008 during the financial crisis. When combined with the March decline, the value of building permits has fallen by 28 per cent from February levels.

In Saskatchewan , permits fell 36 per cent March to April with the non-residential side taking the biggest hit, dropping about 58 per cent. In comparison to April the year before, sales in the province were down 46.4 per cent; non-residential again taking the biggest hit, down about 71 per cent. Total sales came in at $86.2 million.

In Saskatoon, the value of building permits fell 15.5 per cent month-to-month and 55.8 per cent year-to-year. The total value in April was $41.8 million.