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In April, 697,000 people received regular Employment Insurance benefits, up 18,600 from a month earlier. This 2.7% increase was the smallest in six months.
Alberta and Saskatchewan showed the fastest rate of increase in the number of regular beneficiaries in April.
While the number of people receiving benefits was up in April, initial and renewal claims received were down 1.7%, following a 2.1% decrease in March.
Since October 2008, the number of regular EI beneficiaries has risen by 39.3%, increasing in all provinces and territories, with the largest percentage growth in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Ontario.
In Alberta, the number of regular beneficiaries grew by 16.3% to 48,300 in April, bringing the total increase since October 2008 to 164.9% or 30,100.
Each month, Statistics Canada now provides enhanced analysis of the current labour market situation, using Employment Insurance (EI) statistics and other sources. Earlier in June 2009, the Labour Force Survey (LFS) provided a picture of overall labour market conditions, including unemployment, total employment and those affected by changes in the labour market. In this release, Statistics Canada provides additional sub-provincial detail through the EI statistics. Details by industry will follow with data from the Survey of Employment, Payrolls and Hours.
EI statistics are produced from an administrative data source from Human Resources and Skills Development Canada. These statistics may, from time to time, be affected by changes to the Employment Insurance Act or administrative procedures. The number of regular beneficiaries and the number of claims received for March and April 2009 are preliminary.
The number of beneficiaries is a measure of all persons who received EI benefits from the 12th to the 18th of April. This period coincides with the reference week of the LFS for April.
Employment Insurance data by sub-provincial region, sex and age are not seasonally adjusted and therefore should only be compared on a year-over-year basis. These comparisons can be influenced by unusual spikes or declines in the end points of the period.
EI statistics indicate the number of people who received EI benefits, and should not be confused with data coming from the LFS, which provides information on the total number of unemployed.
There is always a certain proportion of unemployed people who do not qualify for benefits. Some unemployed people have not contributed to the program because they have not worked in the past 12 months or their employment is not insured. Other unemployed people have contributed to the program but do not meet the eligibility criteria, such as workers who left their job voluntarily or those who did not accumulate enough hours of work to receive benefits.
The data on employment used in this analysis are drawn from the LFS.
From March to April, the number of regular beneficiaries in Saskatchewan rose 12.2% to 13,200 people, following similar increases in the previous two months.
Following large increases in previous months, the number of beneficiaries in British Columbia was 82,700 in April, up 1.7% from March. The total percentage increase since October 2008 was 81.6% or 37,200.
While from October to April the rate of increase in the number of regular beneficiaries was the fastest in Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan, the unemployment rates in these provinces remained among the lowest in the country.
In Ontario, the number of regular EI beneficiaries increased by 4.4% to 230,000 in April. Since October 2008, the number of beneficiaries has risen by 48.8% or 75,400.
Since last October, Quebec and the Atlantic provinces posted smaller increases in the number of regular beneficiaries than the national average of 39.3%.
Statistics Canada releases today a new publication presenting EI statistics in a set of maps. The maps show changes in the number of people receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits across Canada.
Employment Insurance data by sub-provincial region, sex and age are not seasonally adjusted and therefore should only be compared on a year-over-year basis.
All census metropolitan areas in Canada have seen an increase in the number of regular beneficiaries in the past year.
The number of beneficiaries tripled in most large centers in Alberta between April 2008 and April 2009 (see map). In Calgary, the number of regular beneficiaries grew by 12,700 to 17,300, while in Edmonton, it was up 11,200 to 15,900.
In Alberta, the drop in employment in recent months has mostly hit manufacturing, construction, trade, as well as professional, scientific and technical services.
Between April 2008 and April 2009, the increase in the number of beneficiaries in British Columbia was widespread, tripling in Cranbrook, Kelowna and Campbell River, and doubling in most other major centers. In Victoria, the number of beneficiaries increased by 2,500 to 3,900, while in Vancouver, there were 34,500 people receiving regular benefits, an increase of 20,500 over 12 months.
At the same time, the decrease in employment in British Columbia was most notable in construction; transportation and warehousing; accommodation and food services; finance and insurance as well as forestry and logging.
In Saskatchewan, the number of people receiving regular EI benefits more than doubled from April 2008 to April 2009 in Swift Current, Saskatoon and Moose Jaw. In Saskatoon, 2,700 people were receiving regular benefits in April 2009, up 1,600 from a year ago. In Regina, the number of regular beneficiaries rose by 760 to 1,600.
In Ontario, the number of regular beneficiaries more than doubled between April 2008 and April 2009 in 15 of the 41 large centres. Employment declines in Ontario over the same period were widespread, with manufacturing being particularly hard hit.
In the southwestern part of Ontario, the largest percentage increases in the number of beneficiaries were in Guelph, Tillsonburg and Barrie. In Toronto, the number rose by 88.1% to 95,800.
Large centres in the northern part of Ontario also experienced growth in the number of beneficiaries. The largest percentage increases from April 2008 to April 2009 were in Greater Sudbury, where the number of beneficiaries doubled to 4,000 people, and in Timmins. The drop in employment in Ontario over the same period also included declines in the natural resources sector.
In Quebec, from April 2008 to April 2009, the number of regular beneficiaries increased by more than 50% in Granby, Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu and Lachute. In Montréal, the number of regular beneficiaries grew by 45.5% to 75,100 over the 12-month period. In the census metropolitan area of Québec, there were 13,200 regular beneficiaries in April 2009, up 46.5% from a year earlier.
Between April 2008 and April 2009, the increase in the number of regular beneficiaries was higher among youths under 25, at 73.3%, than among those aged 25 to 54 (+54.6%) and those 55 years and over (+50.6%).
Over the same period, there was a larger increase in the number of men receiving regular benefits (+63.0%) compared with women (+42.0%).
To receive EI benefits, individuals must first submit a claim. Statistics on claims cover the month and provide an indication of the number of people who could become beneficiaries.
In April, 314,200 people filed an initial or a renewal claim. The number of claims received was down 1.7% in April, after a decrease of 2.1% in March. Despite these declines, the number of claims received remained close to the peak of 326,400 reached in February.
There were fewer claims received in six provinces in April, with Alberta (-17.1%), Saskatchewan (-8.9%), and British Columbia (-6.9%) showing the largest percentage declines. The other four provinces showed slight increases.
Available on CANSIM: tables 276-0001 to 276-0006, 276-0009, 276-0011, 276-0015 and 276-0016.
Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 2604.
Data tables are also now available online. From the By subject module of our website, choose Labour.
Data on Employment Insurance for May will be released on July 28.
For more information, or to order data, contact Client Services (toll-free 1-866-873-8788; 613-951-4090; labour@statcan.gc.ca). To enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Dominique Pérusse (613-951-4064) or Gilles Groleau (613-951-4091), Labour Statistics Division.
March 2009p | April 2009p | March to April 2009 | April 2008 to April 2009 | March to April 2009 | April 2008 to April 2009 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seasonally adjusted | ||||||
number | change in number | % change | ||||
Beneficiaries receiving regular benefits | ||||||
Canada | 678,460 | 697,030 | 18,570 | 231,230 | 2.7 | 49.6 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 38,900 | 39,440 | 540 | 4,180 | 1.4 | 11.9 |
Prince Edward Island | 8,210 | 8,430 | 220 | 790 | 2.7 | 10.3 |
Nova Scotia | 31,640 | 32,410 | 770 | 6,400 | 2.4 | 24.6 |
New Brunswick | 33,990 | 34,550 | 560 | 5,040 | 1.6 | 17.1 |
Quebec | 197,470 | 199,270 | 1,800 | 40,370 | 0.9 | 25.4 |
Ontario | 220,320 | 230,000 | 9,680 | 97,020 | 4.4 | 73.0 |
Manitoba | 14,050 | 14,440 | 390 | 4,740 | 2.8 | 48.9 |
Saskatchewan | 11,760 | 13,200 | 1,440 | 5,490 | 12.2 | 71.2 |
Alberta | 41,530 | 48,310 | 6,780 | 31,790 | 16.3 | 192.4 |
British Columbia | 81,350 | 82,720 | 1,370 | 43,150 | 1.7 | 109.0 |
Yukon | 950 | 1,010 | 60 | 270 | 6.3 | 36.5 |
Northwest Territories | 890 | 930 | 40 | 260 | 4.5 | 38.8 |
Nunavut | 490 | 490 | 0 | 190 | 0.0 | 63.3 |
Initial and renewal claims received | ||||||
Canada | 319,660 | 314,190 | -5,470 | 96,130 | -1.7 | 44.1 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 10,130 | 10,010 | -120 | 950 | -1.2 | 10.5 |
Prince Edward Island | 2,630 | 2,550 | -80 | 110 | -3.0 | 4.5 |
Nova Scotia | 10,940 | 10,970 | 30 | 1,600 | 0.3 | 17.1 |
New Brunswick | 10,790 | 10,500 | -290 | 1,060 | -2.7 | 11.2 |
Quebec | 85,200 | 86,340 | 1,140 | 21,630 | 1.3 | 33.4 |
Ontario | 107,980 | 109,070 | 1,090 | 34,160 | 1.0 | 45.6 |
Manitoba | 8,730 | 8,790 | 60 | 1,760 | 0.7 | 25.0 |
Saskatchewan | 6,950 | 6,330 | -620 | 2,060 | -8.9 | 48.2 |
Alberta | 32,150 | 26,660 | -5,490 | 12,910 | -17.1 | 93.9 |
British Columbia | 39,440 | 36,730 | -2,710 | 13,050 | -6.9 | 55.1 |
Yukon | 360 | 330 | -30 | 80 | -8.3 | 32.0 |
Northwest Territories | 440 | 340 | -100 | 60 | -22.7 | 21.4 |
Nunavut | 180 | 160 | -20 | 0 | -11.1 | 0.0 |
April 2008 | April 2009p | April 2008 to April 2009 | April 2008 to April 2009 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unadjusted for seasonality | ||||
number | change in number | % change | ||
Canada | ||||
Both sexes | 523,760 | 816,250 | 292,490 | 55.8 |
Under 25 years | 54,820 | 94,990 | 40,170 | 73.3 |
25 to 54 years | 374,250 | 578,630 | 204,380 | 54.6 |
55 years and over | 94,690 | 142,630 | 47,940 | 50.6 |
Men | 345,840 | 563,570 | 217,730 | 63.0 |
Under 25 years | 41,490 | 74,400 | 32,910 | 79.3 |
25 to 54 years | 240,500 | 390,510 | 150,010 | 62.4 |
55 years and over | 63,860 | 98,670 | 34,810 | 54.5 |
Women | 177,920 | 252,680 | 74,760 | 42.0 |
Under 25 years | 13,340 | 20,590 | 7,250 | 54.3 |
25 to 54 years | 133,750 | 188,130 | 54,380 | 40.7 |
55 years and over | 30,830 | 43,960 | 13,130 | 42.6 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | ||||
Both sexes | 43,220 | 48,790 | 5,570 | 12.9 |
Under 25 years | 4,210 | 4,850 | 640 | 15.2 |
25 to 54 years | 30,080 | 33,300 | 3,220 | 10.7 |
55 years and over | 8,920 | 10,650 | 1,730 | 19.4 |
Men | 26,260 | 30,610 | 4,350 | 16.6 |
Women | 16,960 | 18,180 | 1,220 | 7.2 |
Prince Edward Island | ||||
Both sexes | 10,010 | 11,130 | 1,120 | 11.2 |
Under 25 years | 1,040 | 1,200 | 160 | 15.4 |
25 to 54 years | 6,680 | 7,320 | 640 | 9.6 |
55 years and over | 2,300 | 2,620 | 320 | 13.9 |
Men | 6,380 | 7,240 | 860 | 13.5 |
Women | 3,630 | 3,890 | 260 | 7.2 |
Nova Scotia | ||||
Both sexes | 30,110 | 38,130 | 8,020 | 26.6 |
Under 25 years | 3,250 | 4,400 | 1,150 | 35.4 |
25 to 54 years | 20,980 | 26,410 | 5,430 | 25.9 |
55 years and over | 5,880 | 7,330 | 1,450 | 24.7 |
Men | 19,150 | 25,640 | 6,490 | 33.9 |
Women | 10,950 | 12,500 | 1,550 | 14.2 |
New Brunswick | ||||
Both sexes | 36,290 | 44,060 | 7,770 | 21.4 |
Under 25 years | 3,400 | 4,310 | 910 | 26.8 |
25 to 54 years | 25,580 | 30,340 | 4,760 | 18.6 |
55 years and over | 7,300 | 9,410 | 2,110 | 28.9 |
Men | 24,970 | 30,860 | 5,890 | 23.6 |
Women | 11,320 | 13,210 | 1,890 | 16.7 |
Quebec | ||||
Both sexes | 179,020 | 232,650 | 53,630 | 30.0 |
Under 25 years | 20,380 | 28,010 | 7,630 | 37.4 |
25 to 54 years | 125,700 | 161,300 | 35,600 | 28.3 |
55 years and over | 32,940 | 43,340 | 10,400 | 31.6 |
Men | 121,220 | 162,840 | 41,620 | 34.3 |
Women | 57,800 | 69,810 | 12,010 | 20.8 |
Ontario | ||||
Both sexes | 145,460 | 259,720 | 114,260 | 78.6 |
Under 25 years | 14,320 | 27,930 | 13,610 | 95.0 |
25 to 54 years | 108,630 | 191,570 | 82,940 | 76.4 |
55 years and over | 22,510 | 40,230 | 17,720 | 78.7 |
Men | 96,170 | 177,500 | 81,330 | 84.6 |
Women | 49,290 | 82,220 | 32,930 | 66.8 |
April 2008 | April 2009p | April 2008 to April 2009 | April 2008 to April 2009 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unadjusted for seasonality | ||||
number | change in number | % change | ||
Manitoba | ||||
Both sexes | 10,420 | 16,400 | 5,980 | 57.4 |
Under 25 years | 1,280 | 2,280 | 1,000 | 78.1 |
25 to 54 years | 7,310 | 11,360 | 4,050 | 55.4 |
55 years and over | 1,830 | 2,760 | 930 | 50.8 |
Men | 7,390 | 12,390 | 5,000 | 67.7 |
Women | 3,030 | 4,020 | 990 | 32.7 |
Saskatchewan | ||||
Both sexes | 8,610 | 15,540 | 6,930 | 80.5 |
Under 25 years | 990 | 2,050 | 1,060 | 107.1 |
25 to 54 years | 5,800 | 10,610 | 4,810 | 82.9 |
55 years and over | 1,820 | 2,890 | 1,070 | 58.8 |
Men | 6,170 | 11,140 | 4,970 | 80.6 |
Women | 2,430 | 4,400 | 1,970 | 81.1 |
Alberta | ||||
Both sexes | 17,710 | 55,820 | 38,110 | 215.2 |
Under 25 years | 1,740 | 7,700 | 5,960 | 342.5 |
25 to 54 years | 12,960 | 40,120 | 27,160 | 209.6 |
55 years and over | 3,010 | 8,000 | 4,990 | 165.8 |
Men | 11,400 | 40,430 | 29,030 | 254.6 |
Women | 6,320 | 15,390 | 9,070 | 143.5 |
British Columbia | ||||
Both sexes | 40,840 | 90,970 | 50,130 | 122.7 |
Under 25 years | 4,020 | 11,940 | 7,920 | 197.0 |
25 to 54 years | 28,980 | 64,090 | 35,110 | 121.2 |
55 years and over | 7,850 | 14,940 | 7,090 | 90.3 |
Men | 25,360 | 62,900 | 37,540 | 148.0 |
Women | 15,480 | 28,070 | 12,590 | 81.3 |
Yukon | ||||
Both sexes | 950 | 1,320 | 370 | 38.9 |
Under 25 years | 90 | 150 | 60 | 66.7 |
25 to 54 years | 670 | 900 | 230 | 34.3 |
55 years and over | 190 | 270 | 80 | 42.1 |
Men | 610 | 880 | 270 | 44.3 |
Women | 340 | 430 | 90 | 26.5 |
Northwest Territories | ||||
Both sexes | 720 | 990 | 270 | 37.5 |
Under 25 years | 60 | 110 | 50 | 83.3 |
25 to 54 years | 540 | 750 | 210 | 38.9 |
55 years and over | 110 | 130 | 20 | 18.2 |
Men | 490 | 690 | 200 | 40.8 |
Women | 230 | 300 | 70 | 30.4 |
Nunavut | ||||
Both sexes | 320 | 550 | 230 | 71.9 |
Under 25 years | 40 | 60 | 20 | 50.0 |
25 to 54 years | 270 | 430 | 160 | 59.3 |
55 years and over | 20 | 50 | 30 | 150.0 |
Men | 230 | 410 | 180 | 78.3 |
Women | 90 | 140 | 50 | 55.6 |
April 2008 | April 2009p | April 2008 to April 2009 | April 2008 to April 2009 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unadjusted for seasonality | ||||
number | change in number | % change | ||
Newfoundland and Labrador | ||||
St. John's | 4,640 | 5,690 | 1,050 | 22.6 |
Nova Scotia | ||||
Halifax | 4,380 | 6,810 | 2,430 | 55.5 |
New Brunswick | ||||
Saint John | 1,660 | 2,610 | 950 | 57.2 |
Quebec | ||||
Saguenay | 5,420 | 6,150 | 730 | 13.5 |
Québec | 9,030 | 13,230 | 4,200 | 46.5 |
Sherbrooke | 2,790 | 4,180 | 1,390 | 49.8 |
Trois-Rivières | 3,590 | 4,280 | 690 | 19.2 |
Montréal | 51,570 | 75,060 | 23,490 | 45.5 |
Ottawa–Gatineau, Gatineau part | 2,840 | 4,010 | 1,170 | 41.2 |
Ontario | ||||
Ottawa–Gatineau, Ottawa part | 5,090 | 7,780 | 2,690 | 52.8 |
Kingston | 1,220 | 1,800 | 580 | 47.5 |
Oshawa | 6,270 | 6,730 | 460 | 7.3 |
Toronto | 50,910 | 95,760 | 44,850 | 88.1 |
Hamilton | 5,950 | 12,780 | 6,830 | 114.8 |
St. Catharines–Niagara | 6,140 | 9,720 | 3,580 | 58.3 |
Kitchener | 5,160 | 10,970 | 5,810 | 112.6 |
London | 5,930 | 9,350 | 3,420 | 57.7 |
Windsor | 5,340 | 11,050 | 5,710 | 106.9 |
Greater Sudbury | 1,940 | 3,950 | 2,010 | 103.6 |
Thunder Bay | 2,050 | 2,930 | 880 | 42.9 |
Manitoba | ||||
Winnipeg | 4,330 | 7,640 | 3,310 | 76.4 |
Saskatchewan | ||||
Regina | 800 | 1,560 | 760 | 95.0 |
Saskatoon | 1,090 | 2,710 | 1,620 | 148.6 |
Alberta | ||||
Calgary | 4,680 | 17,330 | 12,650 | 270.3 |
Edmonton | 4,750 | 15,930 | 11,180 | 235.4 |
British Columbia | ||||
Abbotsford | 1,640 | 3,810 | 2,170 | 132.3 |
Vancouver | 14,030 | 34,520 | 20,490 | 146.0 |
Victoria | 1,410 | 3,940 | 2,530 | 179.4 |