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March 2010 (Previous release)

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.

The number of people receiving Employment Insurance benefits continued to decline in March

Note to readers

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.

Number of claims fall in most provinces

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.

The number of Employment Insurance claims received has fallen below the pre-recession level

Largest declines in beneficiaries in Ontario, Quebec and Alberta

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.

Sub-provincial and demographic overview

Over two-thirds of large centres showed year-over-year decline in beneficiaries

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.

First drop in male beneficiaries since outset of the labour market downturn

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.

Table 1

Employment Insurance: Statistics by province and territory
  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
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
  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
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
  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
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
  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
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.