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In March, 668,100 people received regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, down 24,200 from February and the sixth consecutive monthly decline. The number of beneficiaries fell in most provinces, with the largest declines in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta.
Nearly half the increase in beneficiaries that occurred during the labour market downturn has been offset by declines since June 2009 when the number of beneficiaries peaked.
All data in this release are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise specified.
Each month, Statistics Canada provides analysis of the current labour market situation, using Employment Insurance (EI) statistics and other sources. Earlier in May, 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 (SEPH).
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 February and March 2010 are preliminary.
The number of beneficiaries is a measure of all persons who received EI benefits from the 14th to the 20th of March. This period coincides with the reference week of the LFS.
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 change in the number of regular EI beneficiaries is the reflection of various situations, including people becoming beneficiaries, people going back to work, and people exhausting their regular benefits.
The data on employment used in this analysis are drawn from the LFS.
To receive EI benefits, individuals must first submit a claim. In March, 229,000 initial and renewal claims were received, down 6,300 (-2.7%) from February.
The number of claims fell in eight provinces, with the largest declines in Quebec, Alberta and New Brunswick. While the number edged up in Ontario, the province has experienced large declines in recent months. The number of claims provides an indication of the number of people who could become beneficiaries.
Claims have been declining since their peak in May 2009. They have fallen below levels observed throughout the fall 2008, when the labour market began to weaken.
In Ontario, the number of people receiving regular benefits in March declined by 13,100 to 207,400. This brought the total decrease since June 2009 to 79,300. During this period, employment in Ontario increased in both the goods and service sectors.
In Quebec, the number of EI beneficiaries fell by 5,800 to 187,000, bringing the total decline since June 2009 to 23,000. Over the same period, employment strengthened in construction; health care and social assistance; trade; as well as finance, insurance, real estate and leasing.
In Alberta, the number of EI beneficiaries decreased by 3,100 to 52,600 in March, bringing the total decline since June 2009 to 10,300.
Employment Insurance data by sub-provincial region, sex and age are not seasonally adjusted. Therefore, they are compared on a year-over-year basis.
In March, 98 of the 143 large centres had fewer beneficiaries than in March 2009 (see map). This was a marked change from previous months, when there were few centres with year-over-year declines. In June 2009, only two centres posted year-over-year decreases. Large centres are those with a population of 10,000 or more.
In Ontario, most large centres posted a decrease in the number of EI beneficiaries between March 2009 and March 2010. During the labour market downturn, most had shown increases. The most notable declines in March were in Woodstock, Windsor, Guelph, Cobourg, Tillsonburg, and Stratford. In Windsor, the number of beneficiaries fell by 4,900 to 7,900. In Toronto, it fell by 9,200 to 102,400, the first decrease since the beginning of the labour market downturn in the fall of 2008.
The number of beneficiaries in Greater Sudbury was up 1,400 to 5,700. However, the rate of increase was slower than in previous months. The increase coincided with a decline in employment, which was widespread across industries. Particularly hard hit were the natural resources sector, manufacturing, and professional, scientific and technical services.
In Quebec, the number of beneficiaries declined in the 33 large centres between March 2009 and March 2010, except for the Quebec part of Pembroke. The largest percentage declines were in Val-d'Or, Sept-Îles, Saint-Georges, and Granby. In Montréal, the number of beneficiaries declined for the first time since October 2008, falling by 2,600 to 82,600.
In Alberta, the number of EI beneficiaries rose in 10 of the 12 large centres. However, the rate of increase in all centres was slower than in previous months. Lloydminster and Wood Buffalo experienced their first decline since the fall of 2008. In Calgary, the number of people receiving regular benefits rose by 3,000 to 19,300, while in Edmonton, it rose by 1,700 to 17,100.
In British Columbia, there was a decline in 19 of 25 large centres, with the most pronounced decreases in Williams Lake, Port Alberni and Cranbrook. In Vancouver, the number of beneficiaries increased by 1,800 to 38,000.
Between March 2009 and March 2010, the number of male EI regular beneficiaries decreased 8.6% to 566,000. This was the first year-over-year decline since the beginning of the labour market downturn in October 2008.
During the 12-month period ending in March, the number of female beneficiaries rose 1.4% to 290,800. In contrast, the rate of growth was faster among men than women during most of 2009.
Between March 2009 and March 2010, the number of EI beneficiaries grew among women aged 55 and over (+5,800), while it was down for women aged 25 to 54 (-2,000). Among men, there were decreases for both men aged 25 to 54 (-43,100) and men under 25 (-10,600).
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 Subject module of our website, choose Labour.
Data on Employment Insurance for April will be released on June 18.
A set of maps, Employment Insurance Statistics Maps, March 2010 (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 Key resource module of our website, under Publications, choose All subjects, then 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 Dominique Pérusse (613-951-4064) or Vincent Ferrao (613-951-4750), Labour Statistics Division.
February 2010p | March 2010p | February to March 2010 | March 2009 to March 2010 | February to March 2010 | March 2009 to March 2010 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seasonally adjusted | ||||||
number | change in number | % change | ||||
Beneficiaries receiving regular benefits | ||||||
Canada | 692,210 | 668,060 | -24,150 | -19,330 | -3.5 | -2.8 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 38,700 | 38,420 | -280 | -700 | -0.7 | -1.8 |
Prince Edward Island | 8,630 | 8,680 | 50 | 400 | 0.6 | 4.8 |
Nova Scotia | 32,830 | 32,420 | -410 | 490 | -1.2 | 1.5 |
New Brunswick | 34,320 | 33,960 | -360 | -260 | -1.0 | -0.8 |
Quebec | 192,840 | 187,000 | -5,840 | -10,700 | -3.0 | -5.4 |
Ontario | 220,460 | 207,370 | -13,090 | -19,830 | -5.9 | -8.7 |
Manitoba | 15,940 | 15,620 | -320 | 1,230 | -2.0 | 8.5 |
Saskatchewan | 12,940 | 12,700 | -240 | 700 | -1.9 | 5.8 |
Alberta | 55,670 | 52,560 | -3,110 | 8,550 | -5.6 | 19.4 |
British Columbia | 80,120 | 80,020 | -100 | -2,820 | -0.1 | -3.4 |
Yukon | 1,030 | 1,020 | -10 | 60 | -1.0 | 6.3 |
Northwest Territories | 920 | 920 | 0 | 30 | 0.0 | 3.4 |
Nunavut | 500 | 500 | 0 | 10 | 0.0 | 2.0 |
Initial and renewal claims received | ||||||
Canada | 235,270 | 228,980 | -6,290 | -94,850 | -2.7 | -29.3 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 9,280 | 9,210 | -70 | -1,020 | -0.8 | -10.0 |
Prince Edward Island | 2,390 | 2,260 | -130 | -450 | -5.4 | -16.6 |
Nova Scotia | 9,460 | 9,540 | 80 | -1,490 | 0.8 | -13.5 |
New Brunswick | 10,350 | 9,790 | -560 | -1,020 | -5.4 | -9.4 |
Quebec | 69,020 | 65,490 | -3,530 | -20,160 | -5.1 | -23.5 |
Ontario | 71,450 | 72,180 | 730 | -36,600 | 1.0 | -33.6 |
Manitoba | 7,450 | 7,290 | -160 | -1,550 | -2.1 | -17.5 |
Saskatchewan | 5,730 | 5,560 | -170 | -1,460 | -3.0 | -20.8 |
Alberta | 19,710 | 18,230 | -1,480 | -14,020 | -7.5 | -43.5 |
British Columbia | 28,270 | 28,260 | -10 | -11,260 | 0.0 | -28.5 |
Yukon | 290 | 280 | -10 | -80 | -3.4 | -22.2 |
Northwest Territories | 330 | 360 | 30 | -90 | 9.1 | -20.0 |
Nunavut | 200 | 170 | -30 | -10 | -15.0 | -5.6 |
March 2009 | March 2010p | March 2009 to March 2010 | March 2009 to March 2010 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unadjusted for seasonality | ||||
number | change in number | % change | ||
Canada | ||||
Both sexes | 905,990 | 856,830 | -49,160 | -5.4 |
Under 25 years | 104,160 | 93,690 | -10,470 | -10.1 |
25 to 54 years | 641,220 | 596,030 | -45,190 | -7.0 |
55 years and over | 160,620 | 167,100 | 6,480 | 4.0 |
Men | 619,130 | 566,040 | -53,090 | -8.6 |
Under 25 years | 82,150 | 71,510 | -10,640 | -13.0 |
25 to 54 years | 427,400 | 384,260 | -43,140 | -10.1 |
55 years and over | 109,580 | 110,270 | 690 | 0.6 |
Women | 286,860 | 290,790 | 3,930 | 1.4 |
Under 25 years | 22,010 | 22,180 | 170 | 0.8 |
25 to 54 years | 213,810 | 211,770 | -2,040 | -1.0 |
55 years and over | 51,040 | 56,830 | 5,790 | 11.3 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | ||||
Both sexes | 50,420 | 48,400 | -2,020 | -4.0 |
Under 25 years | 4,890 | 4,530 | -360 | -7.4 |
25 to 54 years | 34,520 | 32,440 | -2,080 | -6.0 |
55 years and over | 11,010 | 11,430 | 420 | 3.8 |
Men | 32,060 | 30,240 | -1,820 | -5.7 |
Women | 18,360 | 18,160 | -200 | -1.1 |
Prince Edward Island | ||||
Both sexes | 11,680 | 12,170 | 490 | 4.2 |
Under 25 years | 1,210 | 1,250 | 40 | 3.3 |
25 to 54 years | 7,690 | 7,860 | 170 | 2.2 |
55 years and over | 2,780 | 3,060 | 280 | 10.1 |
Men | 7,430 | 7,620 | 190 | 2.6 |
Women | 4,250 | 4,550 | 300 | 7.1 |
Nova Scotia | ||||
Both sexes | 42,470 | 42,490 | 20 | 0.0 |
Under 25 years | 4,640 | 4,630 | -10 | -0.2 |
25 to 54 years | 29,530 | 29,020 | -510 | -1.7 |
55 years and over | 8,300 | 8,840 | 540 | 6.5 |
Men | 27,840 | 26,880 | -960 | -3.4 |
Women | 14,630 | 15,610 | 980 | 6.7 |
New Brunswick | ||||
Both sexes | 45,690 | 44,610 | -1,080 | -2.4 |
Under 25 years | 4,490 | 4,220 | -270 | -6.0 |
25 to 54 years | 31,500 | 30,250 | -1,250 | -4.0 |
55 years and over | 9,700 | 10,140 | 440 | 4.5 |
Men | 32,070 | 30,440 | -1,630 | -5.1 |
Women | 13,620 | 14,160 | 540 | 4.0 |
Quebec | ||||
Both sexes | 260,040 | 242,600 | -17,440 | -6.7 |
Under 25 years | 32,330 | 28,330 | -4,000 | -12.4 |
25 to 54 years | 179,690 | 165,580 | -14,110 | -7.9 |
55 years and over | 48,020 | 48,690 | 670 | 1.4 |
Men | 183,150 | 169,200 | -13,950 | -7.6 |
Women | 76,890 | 73,400 | -3,490 | -4.5 |
Ontario | ||||
Both sexes | 309,900 | 275,660 | -34,240 | -11.0 |
Under 25 years | 32,260 | 27,770 | -4,490 | -13.9 |
25 to 54 years | 228,300 | 198,520 | -29,780 | -13.0 |
55 years and over | 49,340 | 49,370 | 30 | 0.1 |
Men | 207,280 | 174,960 | -32,320 | -15.6 |
Women | 102,620 | 100,710 | -1,910 | -1.9 |
March 2009 | March 2010p | March 2009 to March 2010 | March 2009 to March 2010 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unadjusted for seasonality | ||||
number | change in number | % change | ||
Manitoba | ||||
Both sexes | 17,800 | 19,110 | 1,310 | 7.4 |
Under 25 years | 2,540 | 2,730 | 190 | 7.5 |
25 to 54 years | 12,170 | 12,840 | 670 | 5.5 |
55 years and over | 3,090 | 3,540 | 450 | 14.6 |
Men | 13,340 | 14,370 | 1,030 | 7.7 |
Women | 4,450 | 4,740 | 290 | 6.5 |
Saskatchewan | ||||
Both sexes | 15,040 | 15,810 | 770 | 5.1 |
Under 25 years | 1,980 | 2,030 | 50 | 2.5 |
25 to 54 years | 10,000 | 10,400 | 400 | 4.0 |
55 years and over | 3,060 | 3,390 | 330 | 10.8 |
Men | 11,520 | 11,900 | 380 | 3.3 |
Women | 3,520 | 3,910 | 390 | 11.1 |
Alberta | ||||
Both sexes | 52,160 | 59,860 | 7,700 | 14.8 |
Under 25 years | 7,010 | 7,010 | 0 | 0.0 |
25 to 54 years | 37,050 | 42,490 | 5,440 | 14.7 |
55 years and over | 8,100 | 10,360 | 2,260 | 27.9 |
Men | 36,890 | 40,000 | 3,110 | 8.4 |
Women | 15,270 | 19,850 | 4,580 | 30.0 |
British Columbia | ||||
Both sexes | 97,780 | 93,040 | -4,740 | -4.8 |
Under 25 years | 12,480 | 10,880 | -1,600 | -12.8 |
25 to 54 years | 68,540 | 64,390 | -4,150 | -6.1 |
55 years and over | 16,760 | 17,770 | 1,010 | 6.0 |
Men | 65,530 | 58,310 | -7,220 | -11.0 |
Women | 32,250 | 34,730 | 2,480 | 7.7 |
Yukon | ||||
Both sexes | 1,330 | 1,380 | 50 | 3.8 |
Under 25 years | 150 | 160 | 10 | 6.7 |
25 to 54 years | 890 | 920 | 30 | 3.4 |
55 years and over | 290 | 310 | 20 | 6.9 |
Men | 890 | 950 | 60 | 6.7 |
Women | 430 | 430 | 0 | 0.0 |
Northwest Territories | ||||
Both sexes | 950 | 990 | 40 | 4.2 |
Under 25 years | 110 | 100 | -10 | -9.1 |
25 to 54 years | 710 | 750 | 40 | 5.6 |
55 years and over | 130 | 140 | 10 | 7.7 |
Men | 660 | 690 | 30 | 4.5 |
Women | 290 | 300 | 10 | 3.4 |
Nunavut | ||||
Both sexes | 540 | 540 | 0 | 0.0 |
Under 25 years | 60 | 60 | 0 | 0.0 |
25 to 54 years | 430 | 440 | 10 | 2.3 |
55 years and over | 50 | 40 | -10 | -20.0 |
Men | 400 | 410 | 10 | 2.5 |
Women | 140 | 140 | 0 | 0.0 |
March 2009 | March 2010p | March 2009 to March 2010 | March 2009 to March 2010 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unadjusted for seasonality | ||||
number | change in number | % change | ||
Newfoundland and Labrador | ||||
St. John's | 5,960 | 6,070 | 110 | 1.8 |
Nova Scotia | ||||
Halifax | 7,910 | 7,660 | -250 | -3.2 |
New Brunswick | ||||
Saint John | 2,970 | 3,290 | 320 | 10.8 |
Quebec | ||||
Saguenay | 6,590 | 6,020 | -570 | -8.6 |
Québec | 16,010 | 15,010 | -1,000 | -6.2 |
Sherbrooke | 4,960 | 4,120 | -840 | -16.9 |
Trois-Rivières | 4,830 | 4,640 | -190 | -3.9 |
Montréal | 85,160 | 82,550 | -2,610 | -3.1 |
Ottawa–Gatineau, Gatineau part | 4,850 | 4,680 | -170 | -3.5 |
Ontario | ||||
Ottawa–Gatineau, Ottawa part | 9,270 | 9,530 | 260 | 2.8 |
Kingston | 2,290 | 2,430 | 140 | 6.1 |
Oshawa | 8,310 | 7,200 | -1,110 | -13.4 |
Toronto | 111,620 | 102,390 | -9,230 | -8.3 |
Hamilton | 16,240 | 12,710 | -3,530 | -21.7 |
St. Catharines–Niagara | 13,000 | 11,620 | -1,380 | -10.6 |
Kitchener | 12,740 | 10,160 | -2,580 | -20.3 |
London | 12,900 | 9,770 | -3,130 | -24.3 |
Windsor | 12,760 | 7,880 | -4,880 | -38.2 |
Greater Sudbury | 4,290 | 5,690 | 1,400 | 32.6 |
Thunder Bay | 3,430 | 3,250 | -180 | -5.2 |
Manitoba | ||||
Winnipeg | 8,370 | 9,570 | 1,200 | 14.3 |
Saskatchewan | ||||
Regina | 1,540 | 2,040 | 500 | 32.5 |
Saskatoon | 2,400 | 2,830 | 430 | 17.9 |
Alberta | ||||
Calgary | 16,260 | 19,250 | 2,990 | 18.4 |
Edmonton | 15,420 | 17,090 | 1,670 | 10.8 |
British Columbia | ||||
Abbotsford–Mission | 4,210 | 4,520 | 310 | 7.4 |
Vancouver | 36,180 | 37,960 | 1,780 | 4.9 |
Victoria | 4,270 | 4,330 | 60 | 1.4 |