The value of building permits fell almost 11% in April to a five-month low as new housing demand pulled back from near record levels the month before, Statistics Canada said today.

Figures show builders took out $5 billion in building permits, the lowest level for permits since November 2005.

Permits for single and multi-residential housing units declined by 5.7% in April. Non-residential permits dropped by 18.4%.

“However, both housing and non-residential sectors remained healthy,” StatsCan said in a release.

The drop in residential building permits was most evident in British Columbia and Alberta, which experienced double-digit slides, after a period of exceptionally strong demand for new housing.

“The residential sector continued to benefit from advantageous mortgage rates, strong full-time employment and the healthy economy in Western Canada,” StatsCan said.

Year-to-date, the value of residential building permits is up 10.7%, with Alberta’s growth leading all provinces with a 45% jump.