For the month of April the value of residential building permits was down 28.2 per cent from the same month last year. For the year to date, that number is down 31.6 per cent.

There are, however, some large projects for which permits have been taken out. For example, Algoma Orchards agricultural storage and packaging facility took out a permit for construction worth $5 million. As well, alterations at Bowmanville High School resulted in a permit worth $2 million and the reconstruction of Boston Pizza, which burned down earlier this year, resulted in a permit worth almost $1 million.

Councillor Ron Hooper wondered if the drop in permit values indicated there was concern for future growth projections. A number of decisions are made based on future growth projections, including timelines for infrastructure projects.

"That's the million dollar question: is it a blip or not?" said Tony Cannella, Clarington's Engineering Director. "I think only time will tell."