By TERRY PUGH
Despite a year-over-year drop in both the number and value of building permits, construction activity in Warman and Martensville during the first eight months of 2026 is booming right along.
From January 1 to September 14, 2026, the City of Warman issued a total of 257 building permits worth a combined value of $51,545,393.
This compares with 289 permits worth a total of $74,937,613 issued over the same period in 2025.
While the number of both commercial and residential building permits is lower so far this year, there’s been a rise in permit numbers for garages, decks, renovations and additions compared to 2025.
There were 18 commercial building permits worth $14,404,393 issued between January 1 and September 14, 2026; as well as 77 single-family and nine multi-family (60 living units) permits worth a combined total of $32,003,000. In addition, there were 153 permits, valued at $5,138,000, issued for additions, garages and renovations.
This compares to 22 commercial permits worth $19,562,399 issued for the same period in 2025. There were 123 single-family and eight multi-family (38 living units) dwelling permits valued at $50,604,100 issued during that eight-month period in 2025. Finally, there were 136 permits worth $4,771,114 issued for renovations and additions last year.
MARTENSVILLE NUMBERS
Building permit numbers in Martensville are lower than last year, but that’s to be expected following a record-breaking surge of activity in 2025 that saw the total value of construction peak at $70.7 million. The bulk of that construction total was due to three large apartment buildings.
So far, between the beginning of January and the end of August, 2026, the City of Martensville has issued 27 permits for single-family residences, 13 permits for multi-family dwellings, 60 permits for renovations and additions, and 17 permits for commercial and industrial buildings. The total value of all permits issued so far this year is $25,157,518.
For the entire 12-month period of 2025, Martensville issued 27 permits for single-family homes, 216 multi-family units, 149 permits for renovations and additions, and 27 permits for commercial and industrial buildings.
PROVINCIAL PICTURE
The pace of construction in Warman and Martensville is reflected in the overall numbers across the province.
Data released September 16 by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation showed that housing starts in Saskatchewan saw growth of 65.5 per cent in August, 2026, compared to August, 2025.
In addition, housing starts with multiple units increased by 116.7 per cent between August, 2025 and August, 2026.
The province has now ranked either first or second nationally for year-over-year housing start growth for three consecutive months, a trend that Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said indicates the overall health of the provincial economy.
“Our construction sector plays a critical role in ensuring Saskatchewan continues to grow,” said Kaeding in a news release issued to mark ‘Construction Week’ September 21-25. “The industry creates thousands of jobs, supports businesses in every region of the province and delivers the infrastructure needed for communities to thrive. Construction Week is an opportunity to recognize the people behind that work who are dedicated to building a stronger Saskatchewan.”
In 2025, 47,700 people were employed in Saskatchewan’s construction industry. By August, 2026, employment had increased by 12 per cent to 55,900 people, an increase of 6,100 jobs compared to August, 2025. This growth reflects the increasing demand for skilled workers and the construction sector’s important role in supporting the province’s future.
The sector contributed $6.9 billion to the province’s real Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2025, representing 8.1 per cent of Saskatchewan’s total real GDP of $85.4 billion.