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August 2009 (Previous release)

The number of people receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits in August fell 2.4% (-19,100) from July, the second consecutive monthly decline. Decreases occurred in nearly all provinces, with the most notable percentage declines in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

Second consecutive monthly decline in the number of people receiving regular benefits

There were 763,200 beneficiaries in August, up 52.5% from October 2008.

Note to readers

All data in this release are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise specified.

Each month, Statistics Canada now provides enhanced analysis of the current labour market situation, using Employment Insurance (EI) statistics and other sources. Earlier in October 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 July and August 2009 are preliminary.

The number of beneficiaries is a measure of all persons who received EI benefits from the 9th to the 15th of August. This period coincides with the reference week of the LFS for August.

EI 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 people.

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.

The number of initial and renewal claims received in August increased 8.2% (+22,500) to 298,300, following two months of declines.

Following two consecutive months of declines, the number of claims received in August rise to about the same level as in June

EI statistics provide unique insight on which areas of the country are being affected by the current economic situation. Compared with August 2008, the number of people receiving regular EI benefits was higher in all census metropolitan areas (see map). Calgary and Edmonton continued to show the largest year-over-year increase. In Vancouver, Greater Sudbury, Victoria, Abbotsford–Mission and Kitchener, the number of regular EI beneficiaries more than doubled from August 2008 to August 2009.

Fewer beneficiaries in most provinces in August compared with July

In August, the number of beneficiaries fell 8.7% (-4,100) in Newfoundland and Labrador to 43,600. This was the first decline for the province since the start of the labour market downturn in the fall of 2008.

In Ontario, the number of regular EI beneficiaries fell by 14,800 (-5.6%) to 247,400, the second consecutive monthly decline. Prior to these two declines, the number of beneficiaries had increased at an average pace of 16,500 a month between October and June.

In Saskatchewan, 13,000 people received regular EI benefits in August, down 730 (-5.3%) from July. It was also the province's second consecutive monthly decline, and followed monthly increases averaging 740 from October to June.

Manitoba experienced its third consecutive monthly decrease in the number of beneficiaries. In August, the number fell by 690 (-4.5%) to 14,500.

Quebec and New Brunswick were the only provinces with an increase in the number of beneficiaries in August. In Quebec, 208,000 people received benefits in August, up 9,700 (+4.9%), following a decline in July. The number of beneficiaries in New Brunswick edged up 650 to 37,100 in August.

Sub-provincial and demographic overview

Continued large year-over-year increases in EI beneficiaries in large centres in the West while increases moderated in Ontario

EI data by sub-provincial region, sex and age are not seasonally adjusted. They are, therefore, compared on a year-over-year basis.

The largest centres of Alberta continued to experience the fastest rates of increase in the number of regular beneficiaries compared with 12 months earlier. In Calgary, the number of people receiving regular benefits increased sharply from 5,700 in August 2008 to 22,100 in August 2009. Over the same period, the number of beneficiaries in Edmonton increased by 12,800 to 19,200. These steep increases coincided with year-over-year employment losses for the province in several sectors: manufacturing; construction; retail and wholesale trade; professional, scientific and technical services; and oil and gas.

In British Columbia, 13 of the 25 large centres had twice as many beneficiaries compared with a year ago. In Vancouver, the number of beneficiaries increased from 17,200 in August 2008 to 39,000 in August 2009. At the same time, the number of recipients increased by 2,300 to 4,500 in Victoria. Over the year-long period, the largest employment losses in the province were in construction, manufacturing, transportation and warehousing, as well as accommodation and food services.

In Ontario, the number of EI recipients more than doubled in 4 of its 41 large centres for the 12-month period ending in August. This contrasts with year-over-year increases ending in May and June when the number of beneficiaries at least doubled in more than half of the large centres in the province.

Several large centres in the southern part of Ontario contributed to the slower year-over-year increase in the number of beneficiaries. For example, in Windsor, the number of EI recipients increased by 50.1% from August 2008 to August 2009, much slower than earlier year-over-year increases. In Toronto, the number of beneficiaries increased by 75.3% or 47,700 between August 2008 and August 2009, the lowest 12-month increase since April.

In the northern part of Ontario, Greater Sudbury continued to experience a sharp year-over-year increase in the number of EI recipients, up from 2,400 in August 2008 to 4,900 in August 2009. At the same time, employment in Greater Sudbury declined, mostly in the natural resources sector.

Lower year-over-year growth was observed in several large centres in Quebec. In Montréal, the number of regular beneficiaries increased by 37.3% to 80,000 over the 12 months ending in August, slightly slower than in previous months. In the census metropolitan area of Québec, the number of beneficiaries rose by 18.3% between August 2008 and August 2009, the slowest year-over-year increase since January. This contrasts with Sorel–Tracy, where the number of beneficiaries rose sharply by 152.8% to 1,800 in August 2009, the fastest year-over-year increase in that centre since the start of the labour market downturn last fall.

Fastest rate of growth among youths

The downturn in the labour market has affected young people the most. In August, the number of youths under 25 receiving EI benefits nearly doubled (+94.0%) compared with August 2008. The increase was most pronounced for young men (+114.5%), while it was slower among young women (+61.9%).

The number of EI recipients aged 25 to 54 increased by 53.5% to 565,100 over the 12 months ending in August, with the sharpest increase among men in this age group (+84.1%). The number of female beneficiaries aged 25 to 54 grew more slowly (+29.9%) over the same period.

The number of beneficiaries aged 55 and over increased 49.3% from August 2008 to August 2009. Among men aged 55 and over, the number rose by 64.6%, nearly twice as fast as the increase among women (+33.6%) in the same age group.

More claims received in August

To receive EI benefits, individuals must first submit a claim. These provide an indication of the number of people who could become beneficiaries.

Following declines in June and July, initial and renewal claims received in August were up 8.2% (+22,500), returning to about the same level as in June. Increases occurred in most provinces, most notably in British Columbia (+9.9%), Ontario (+8.9%) and Saskatchewan (+8.9%). Newfoundland and Labrador was the only province where the number of claims declined (-0.5%).

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 September will be released on November 24.

A set of maps, Employment Insurance Statistics Maps, August 2009 (73-002-X, free), is now available online. The maps show percent changes in the number of people receiving regular EI benefits for all census metropolitan areas and census agglomerations in Canada. From the Publications module of our website, under All subjects, choose Labour.

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 Vincent Ferrao (613-951-4750) or Dominique Pérusse (613-951-4064), Labour Statistics Division.

Table 1

Employment Insurance: Statistics by province and territory
  July 2009p August 2009p July to August 2009 August 2008 to August 2009 July to August 2009 August 2008 to August 2009
  Seasonally adjusted
  number change in number % change
Beneficiaries receiving regular benefits            
Canada 782,270 763,210 -19,060 275,390 -2.4 56.5
Newfoundland and Labrador 47,720 43,580 -4,140 7,800 -8.7 21.8
Prince Edward Island 8,870 8,650 -220 890 -2.5 11.5
Nova Scotia 34,360 33,850 -510 5,740 -1.5 20.4
New Brunswick 36,490 37,140 650 7,410 1.8 24.9
Quebec 198,300 207,950 9,650 43,760 4.9 26.7
Ontario 262,170 247,360 -14,810 102,550 -5.6 70.8
Manitoba 15,230 14,540 -690 3,980 -4.5 37.7
Saskatchewan 13,740 13,010 -730 4,170 -5.3 47.2
Alberta 58,720 57,650 -1,070 40,060 -1.8 227.7
British Columbia 90,580 88,670 -1,910 46,000 -2.1 107.8
Yukon 1,170 1,150 -20 370 -1.7 47.4
Northwest Territories 980 1,000 20 310 2.0 44.9
Nunavut 510 520 10 190 2.0 57.6
Initial and renewal claims received            
Canada 275,730 298,260 22,530 73,750 8.2 32.8
Newfoundland and Labrador 9,810 9,760 -50 800 -0.5 8.9
Prince Edward Island 2,150 2,580 430 90 20.0 3.6
Nova Scotia 10,520 10,520 0 1,380 0.0 15.1
New Brunswick 10,190 10,590 400 1,440 3.9 15.7
Quebec 79,390 83,260 3,870 13,890 4.9 20.0
Ontario 93,220 101,510 8,290 26,370 8.9 35.1
Manitoba 8,500 9,090 590 3,020 6.9 49.8
Saskatchewan 6,080 6,620 540 1,930 8.9 41.2
Alberta 25,640 26,110 470 13,250 1.8 103.0
British Columbia 32,430 35,650 3,220 10,900 9.9 44.0
Yukon 330 340 10 50 3.0 17.2
Northwest Territories 360 340 -20 80 -5.6 30.8
Nunavut 170 180 10 30 5.9 20.0
preliminary
Note(s):
The number of beneficiaries receiving regular benefits excludes claimants receiving training, job creation and self-employment benefits as well as other employment and support measures benefits.

Table 2

Beneficiaries receiving regular benefits by age group, sex, province and territory
  August 2008 August 2009p August 2008 to August 2009 August 2008 to August 2009
  Unadjusted for seasonality
  number change in number % change
Canada        
Both sexes 495,940 772,670 276,730 55.8
Under 25 years 37,660 73,070 35,410 94.0
25 to 54 years 368,200 565,080 196,880 53.5
55 years and over 90,080 134,520 44,440 49.3
Men 228,980 419,590 190,610 83.2
Under 25 years 22,970 49,270 26,300 114.5
25 to 54 years 160,370 295,190 134,820 84.1
55 years and over 45,640 75,130 29,490 64.6
Women 266,950 353,070 86,120 32.3
Under 25 years 14,690 23,790 9,100 61.9
25 to 54 years 207,830 269,900 62,070 29.9
55 years and over 44,440 59,390 14,950 33.6
Newfoundland and Labrador        
Both sexes 29,520 35,920 6,400 21.7
Under 25 years 3,000 3,940 940 31.3
25 to 54 years 20,210 24,070 3,860 19.1
55 years and over 6,310 7,910 1,600 25.4
Men 15,850 21,050 5,200 32.8
Women 13,670 14,870 1,200 8.8
Prince Edward Island        
Both sexes 5,970 6,610 640 10.7
Under 25 years 670 760 90 13.4
25 to 54 years 4,110 4,500 390 9.5
55 years and over 1,200 1,360 160 13.3
Men 3,390 3,730 340 10.0
Women 2,590 2,880 290 11.2
Nova Scotia        
Both sexes 26,640 31,850 5,210 19.6
Under 25 years 2,450 3,290 840 34.3
25 to 54 years 19,070 22,600 3,530 18.5
55 years and over 5,120 5,960 840 16.4
Men 14,440 18,160 3,720 25.8
Women 12,210 13,690 1,480 12.1
New Brunswick        
Both sexes 25,450 31,990 6,540 25.7
Under 25 years 2,110 2,860 750 35.5
25 to 54 years 18,440 22,700 4,260 23.1
55 years and over 4,900 6,430 1,530 31.2
Men 13,010 17,530 4,520 34.7
Women 12,450 14,450 2,000 16.1
Quebec        
Both sexes 154,810 195,600 40,790 26.3
Under 25 years 13,080 18,460 5,380 41.1
25 to 54 years 112,990 140,890 27,900 24.7
55 years and over 28,730 36,260 7,530 26.2
Men 74,960 103,990 29,030 38.7
Women 79,840 91,620 11,780 14.8
Ontario        
Both sexes 160,850 274,970 114,120 70.9
Under 25 years 10,130 22,270 12,140 119.8
25 to 54 years 123,140 206,810 83,670 67.9
55 years and over 27,580 45,900 18,320 66.4
Men 68,470 144,640 76,170 111.2
Women 92,380 130,340 37,960 41.1
preliminary
Note(s):
The number of beneficiaries receiving regular benefits excludes claimants receiving training, job creation and self-employment benefits as well as other employment and support measures benefits.

Table 3

Beneficiaries receiving regular benefits by age group, sex, province and territory
  August 2008 August 2009p August 2008 to August 2009 August 2008 to August 2009
  Unadjusted for seasonality
  number change in number % change
Manitoba        
Both sexes 14,720 19,580 4,860 33.0
Under 25 years 980 1,680 700 71.4
25 to 54 years 11,200 14,570 3,370 30.1
55 years and over 2,540 3,330 790 31.1
Men 5,240 8,770 3,530 67.4
Women 9,480 10,810 1,330 14.0
Saskatchewan        
Both sexes 10,580 15,360 4,780 45.2
Under 25 years 680 1,570 890 130.9
25 to 54 years 8,040 11,200 3,160 39.3
55 years and over 1,870 2,590 720 38.5
Men 3,770 7,200 3,430 91.0
Women 6,820 8,150 1,330 19.5
Alberta        
Both sexes 20,720 67,330 46,610 225.0
Under 25 years 1,250 8,100 6,850 548.0
25 to 54 years 15,890 49,740 33,850 213.0
55 years and over 3,590 9,480 5,890 164.1
Men 7,960 40,670 32,710 410.9
Women 12,760 26,660 13,900 108.9
British Columbia        
Both sexes 45,140 91,260 46,120 102.2
Under 25 years 3,210 9,910 6,700 208.7
25 to 54 years 33,900 66,340 32,440 95.7
55 years and over 8,040 15,010 6,970 86.7
Men 21,100 52,560 31,460 149.1
Women 24,050 38,700 14,650 60.9
Yukon        
Both sexes 480 710 230 47.9
Under 25 years 30 70 40 133.3
25 to 54 years 370 490 120 32.4
55 years and over 80 150 70 87.5
Men 250 420 170 68.0
Women 230 280 50 21.7
Northwest Territories        
Both sexes 600 870 270 45.0
Under 25 years 50 100 50 100.0
25 to 54 years 460 670 210 45.7
55 years and over 90 100 10 11.1
Men 340 490 150 44.1
Women 250 380 130 52.0
Nunavut        
Both sexes 330 500 170 51.5
Under 25 years 40 60 20 50.0
25 to 54 years 270 390 120 44.4
55 years and over 30 50 20 66.7
Men 180 310 130 72.2
Women 150 190 40 26.7
preliminary
Note(s):
The number of beneficiaries receiving regular benefits excludes claimants receiving training, job creation and self-employment benefits as well as other employment and support measures benefits.

Table 4

Beneficiaries receiving regular benefits by census metropolitan areas
  August 2008 August 2009p August 2008 to August 2009 August 2008 to August 2009
  Unadjusted for seasonality
  number change in number % change
Newfoundland and Labrador        
St. John's 4,180 5,400 1,220 29.2
Nova Scotia        
Halifax 5,010 6,800 1,790 35.7
New Brunswick        
Saint John 1,900 2,670 770 40.5
Quebec        
Saguenay 4,300 4,650 350 8.1
Québec 10,300 12,180 1,880 18.3
Sherbrooke 2,840 3,860 1,020 35.9
Trois-Rivières 3,890 4,110 220 5.7
Montréal 58,280 80,020 21,740 37.3
Ottawa–Gatineau, Gatineau part 3,340 4,150 810 24.3
Ontario        
Ottawa–Gatineau, Ottawa part 7,010 9,950 2,940 41.9
Kingston 1,640 2,240 600 36.6
Oshawa 4,600 8,270 3,670 79.8
Toronto 63,300 110,990 47,690 75.3
Hamilton 8,140 14,220 6,080 74.7
St. Catharines–Niagara 6,060 10,370 4,310 71.1
Kitchener 5,620 11,480 5,860 104.3
London 5,900 10,010 4,110 69.7
Windsor 6,270 9,410 3,140 50.1
Greater Sudbury 2,370 4,940 2,570 108.4
Thunder Bay 1,960 2,730 770 39.3
Manitoba        
Winnipeg 7,520 10,640 3,120 41.5
Saskatchewan        
Regina 1,390 1,940 550 39.6
Saskatoon 1,950 2,980 1,030 52.8
Alberta        
Calgary 5,680 22,070 16,390 288.6
Edmonton 6,370 19,150 12,780 200.6
British Columbia        
Abbotsford–Mission 1,630 3,330 1,700 104.3
Vancouver 17,160 38,980 21,820 127.2
Victoria 2,160 4,480 2,320 107.4
preliminary
Note(s):
The number of beneficiaries receiving regular benefits excludes claimants receiving training, job creation and self-employment benefits as well as other employment and support measures benefits.