After a number of ebb and flow seasons, the Canadian pool industry had a breakthrough year in 2016. In fact, the total number of swimming pool building permits registered last year was the third most in the last five decades. In terms of historical data, one would need to look to 1988, an anomaly maybe, but 19,695 pools were installed. Prior to this, the bar was set in 1979 when 13,200 permits were registered.