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April 2010 (Previous release)

In April, 667,400 people received regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, virtually unchanged from the previous month. The number of people receiving regular EI benefits has declined by 161,900 since the peak of 829,300 reached in June 2009, a drop of 19.5%.

The number of people receiving Employment Insurance benefits has trended down since June

Alberta and Ontario lead the way in the decline in number of claims since May 2009

To receive EI benefits, individuals must first submit a claim. In April, 227,800 initial and renewal claims were received, down slightly from the previous month.

Claims have generally been declining since their peak in May 2009. Although there was little change in April, the number of claims received has declined by 30.5% since the start of the downward trend in May 2009, with the fastest rate of decrease in Alberta (-41.1%), Ontario (-37.9%), and British Columbia (-23.6%).

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 this June, 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 March and April 2010 are preliminary. In this release, large centres correspond to census agglomerations and census metropolitan areas.

The number of beneficiaries is a measure of all persons who received EI benefits from the 11th to the 17th of April. 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.

The number of claims provides an indication of the number of people who could become beneficiaries.

The number of Employment Insurance claims received remains close to pre-recession levels

Provincial analysis

In Alberta, the number of EI beneficiaries fell by 2,500 to 49,900 in April, the sixth consecutive monthly decline. Since the peak of June 2009, the number of beneficiaries in Alberta has fallen by 20.6%, the second fastest rate of decline after Ontario.

In Ontario, following six consecutive months of declines, the number of people receiving regular benefits rose slightly in April (+2,600). Despite this increase, the number of beneficiaries in Ontario has fallen by 75,900 (-26.5%) since June 2009, the fastest rate of decline of all provinces. During this period, employment in Ontario increased in a number of industries including professional, scientific and technical services; educational services; construction; and retail and wholesale trade.

While there was little change in the number of beneficiaries in April in all other provinces, the number of regular beneficiaries has trended down in every province since the peak of June 2009.

Sub-provincial and demographic overview

An increasing number of large centres show 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 April 2010, 114 of the 143 large centres had fewer beneficiaries compared with April 2009 (see map). This was a marked difference from June 2009 when the number of beneficiaries was at its peak and only two large centres posted year-over-year decreases. Large centres are those with a population of 10,000 or more.

The number of people receiving regular EI benefits edged down in most large centres in Atlantic Canada between April 2009 and April 2010, with the fastest year-over-year declines in Labrador City, Bathurst and Grand Falls–Windsor.

In St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador, the number of beneficiaries declined by 280 to 5,500 and in Halifax, Nova Scotia, it decreased by 410 to 6,500. In contrast, the number of beneficiaries rose in Saint John, New Brunswick, by 340 to 3,000, the only large centre in New Brunswick to experience an increase.

In Quebec, there were year-over-year declines in virtually all large centres. The largest percentage declines were in Sept-Îles, Val-d'Or, Amos and Saint-Georges. In Montréal, the number of beneficiaries posted its second consecutive year-over-year decline, falling by 2,200 to 73,500.

In Ontario, 33 of its 41 large centres posted year-over-year declines in the number of beneficiaries. The most notable decrease in April was in Windsor, where the number of beneficiaries dropped by 41.1% to 6,600. The number of beneficiaries fell by 8,300 in Toronto to 89,100. Other large centres with notable declines included Woodstock, Tillsonburg and Guelph.

Greater Sudbury continued to post the largest year-over-year percentage increase in the number of EI beneficiaries for Ontario, up 22.1% to 4,900. However, the rate of increase was much slower than in previous months.

Compared with April 2009, the number of EI beneficiaries was down in 9 of the 12 large centres in Alberta in April 2010. This was a marked change from previous months when virtually all large centres in the province posted year-over-year increases. The most pronounced percentage decline occurred in Lloydminster. In Calgary, the number of beneficiaries edged down by 370 to 17,600 and in Edmonton, it decreased by 680 to 15,800. These are the first year-over-year declines for both Calgary and Edmonton since the beginning of the economic downturn in the fall of 2008.

In British Columbia, 18 of 25 large centres experienced year-over-year declines in the number of beneficiaries, a similar number to March. The fastest declines were observed in Williams Lake, Cranbrook and Campbell River. Victoria posted its first year-over-year decline since the start of the labour market downturn, as the number of beneficiaries edged down by 100 to 3,900. This contrasts with Vancouver, where the number of EI beneficiaries continued to rise, up 1,700 over the 12 month period to 36,700 in April. This increase, however, was much slower than in previous months.

Second consecutive year-over-year decline in the number of male EI beneficiaries

The number of male EI beneficiaries fell by 12.6% to 498,700 between April 2009 and April 2010, the second consecutive year-over-year decline. This contrasts with the continued increase for women beneficiaries, up 1.5% over the same period to 260,300. Although this year-over-year rate of increase for women in April was similar to that observed in March, it has slowed considerably compared with previous months.

The year-over-year decline for men was most pronounced among those under 25 years old, down 21.0% to 60,000 in April. The number of male beneficiaries aged 25 to 54 fell 14.0% to 340,000 while it was little changed for men aged 55 and over at 98,700 (-0.8%).

The year-over-year increase for women was all among those aged 55 and over, with the number of female beneficiaries in this age group increasing 15.8% to 51,400. This contrasts with young women and those aged 25 to 54 for whom the number of beneficiaries declined by 3.3% and 1.3%, respectively.

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 May will be released on July 22.

A set of maps, Employment Insurance Statistics Maps, April 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 Vincent Ferrao (613-951-4750) or Dominique Pérusse (613-951-4064), Labour Statistics Division.

Table 1

Employment Insurance: Statistics by province and territory
  March 2010p April 2010p March to April 2010 April 2009 to April 2010 March to April 2010 April 2009 to April 2010
  Seasonally adjusted
  number change in number % change
Beneficiaries receiving regular benefits            
Canada 667,910 667,380 -530 -54,990 -0.1 -7.6
Newfoundland and Labrador 38,320 38,060 -260 -2,210 -0.7 -5.5
Prince Edward Island 8,660 8,520 -140 -40 -1.6 -0.5
Nova Scotia 32,240 31,480 -760 -1,390 -2.4 -4.2
New Brunswick 33,740 33,280 -460 -1,930 -1.4 -5.5
Quebec 186,610 185,770 -840 -17,940 -0.5 -8.8
Ontario 208,140 210,720 2,580 -29,630 1.2 -12.3
Manitoba 15,580 15,520 -60 420 -0.4 2.8
Saskatchewan 12,710 12,570 -140 -840 -1.1 -6.3
Alberta 52,360 49,900 -2,460 -1,040 -4.7 -2.0
British Columbia 80,650 80,820 170 -2,980 0.2 -3.6
Yukon 1,020 1,010 -10 -20 -1.0 -1.9
Northwest Territories 920 920 0 -20 0.0 -2.1
Nunavut 500 510 10 10 2.0 2.0
Initial and renewal claims received            
Canada 228,360 227,790 -570 -85,510 -0.2 -27.3
Newfoundland and Labrador 9,070 8,910 -160 -940 -1.8 -9.5
Prince Edward Island 2,250 2,300 50 -280 2.2 -10.9
Nova Scotia 9,430 9,330 -100 -1,670 -1.1 -15.2
New Brunswick 9,770 9,870 100 -570 1.0 -5.5
Quebec 65,660 66,560 900 -19,330 1.4 -22.5
Ontario 71,970 70,390 -1,580 -39,710 -2.2 -36.1
Manitoba 7,280 7,640 360 -1,220 4.9 -13.8
Saskatchewan 5,500 5,670 170 -700 3.1 -11.0
Alberta 17,930 16,730 -1,200 -9,690 -6.7 -36.7
British Columbia 28,500 28,820 320 -7,790 1.1 -21.3
Yukon 290 320 30 -20 10.3 -5.9
Northwest Territories 360 320 -40 -10 -11.1 -3.0
Nunavut 170 200 30 40 17.6 25.0
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
  April 2009 April 2010p April 2009 to April 2010 April 2009 to April 2010
  Unadjusted for seasonality
  number change in number % change
Canada        
Both sexes 827,250 759,040 -68,210 -8.2
Under 25 years 97,130 80,520 -16,610 -17.1
25 to 54 years 586,220 528,440 -57,780 -9.9
55 years and over 143,900 150,080 6,180 4.3
Men 570,760 498,710 -72,050 -12.6
Under 25 years 75,900 59,990 -15,910 -21.0
25 to 54 years 395,350 340,030 -55,320 -14.0
55 years and over 99,510 98,690 -820 -0.8
Women 256,500 260,330 3,830 1.5
Under 25 years 21,230 20,520 -710 -3.3
25 to 54 years 190,870 188,420 -2,450 -1.3
55 years and over 44,390 51,390 7,000 15.8
Newfoundland and Labrador        
Both sexes 48,940 45,990 -2,950 -6.0
Under 25 years 4,880 4,410 -470 -9.6
25 to 54 years 33,400 30,680 -2,720 -8.1
55 years and over 10,660 10,890 230 2.2
Men 30,710 28,270 -2,440 -7.9
Women 18,220 17,720 -500 -2.7
Prince Edward Island        
Both sexes 11,190 11,110 -80 -0.7
Under 25 years 1,220 1,160 -60 -4.9
25 to 54 years 7,350 7,130 -220 -3.0
55 years and over 2,620 2,810 190 7.3
Men 7,270 6,920 -350 -4.8
Women 3,910 4,180 270 6.9
Nova Scotia        
Both sexes 38,430 36,110 -2,320 -6.0
Under 25 years 4,470 4,080 -390 -8.7
25 to 54 years 26,610 24,400 -2,210 -8.3
55 years and over 7,350 7,630 280 3.8
Men 25,840 22,900 -2,940 -11.4
Women 12,590 13,210 620 4.9
New Brunswick        
Both sexes 44,280 41,610 -2,670 -6.0
Under 25 years 4,370 3,840 -530 -12.1
25 to 54 years 30,470 28,200 -2,270 -7.4
55 years and over 9,430 9,570 140 1.5
Men 31,000 28,200 -2,800 -9.0
Women 13,280 13,410 130 1.0
Quebec        
Both sexes 234,260 213,620 -20,640 -8.8
Under 25 years 28,320 23,640 -4,680 -16.5
25 to 54 years 162,410 145,920 -16,490 -10.2
55 years and over 43,530 44,070 540 1.2
Men 163,840 145,760 -18,080 -11.0
Women 70,420 67,860 -2,560 -3.6
Ontario        
Both sexes 264,180 231,230 -32,950 -12.5
Under 25 years 28,720 22,550 -6,170 -21.5
25 to 54 years 194,650 167,200 -27,450 -14.1
55 years and over 40,810 41,480 670 1.6
Men 180,280 148,350 -31,930 -17.7
Women 83,910 82,880 -1,030 -1.2
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
  April 2009 April 2010p April 2009 to April 2010 April 2009 to April 2010
  Unadjusted for seasonality
  number change in number % change
Manitoba        
Both sexes 16,610 16,920 310 1.9
Under 25 years 2,320 2,220 -100 -4.3
25 to 54 years 11,520 11,520 0 0.0
55 years and over 2,780 3,180 400 14.4
Men 12,530 12,420 -110 -0.9
Women 4,080 4,490 410 10.0
Saskatchewan        
Both sexes 15,810 14,500 -1,310 -8.3
Under 25 years 2,110 1,820 -290 -13.7
25 to 54 years 10,780 9,640 -1,140 -10.6
55 years and over 2,920 3,030 110 3.8
Men 11,330 10,570 -760 -6.7
Women 4,490 3,930 -560 -12.5
Alberta        
Both sexes 58,180 56,270 -1,910 -3.3
Under 25 years 8,190 6,440 -1,750 -21.4
25 to 54 years 41,770 40,040 -1,730 -4.1
55 years and over 8,220 9,790 1,570 19.1
Men 42,130 37,240 -4,890 -11.6
Women 16,060 19,030 2,970 18.5
British Columbia        
Both sexes 92,320 88,670 -3,650 -4.0
Under 25 years 12,220 10,050 -2,170 -17.8
25 to 54 years 65,010 61,460 -3,550 -5.5
55 years and over 15,100 17,150 2,050 13.6
Men 63,790 56,030 -7,760 -12.2
Women 28,540 32,640 4,100 14.4
Yukon        
Both sexes 1,320 1,290 -30 -2.3
Under 25 years 150 140 -10 -6.7
25 to 54 years 900 870 -30 -3.3
55 years and over 270 280 10 3.7
Men 880 870 -10 -1.1
Women 440 420 -20 -4.5
Northwest Territories        
Both sexes 1,000 1,010 10 1.0
Under 25 years 110 110 0 0.0
25 to 54 years 760 760 0 0.0
55 years and over 130 150 20 15.4
Men 700 690 -10 -1.4
Women 310 320 10 3.2
Nunavut        
Both sexes 550 560 10 1.8
Under 25 years 60 50 -10 -16.7
25 to 54 years 430 460 30 7.0
55 years and over 50 50 0 0.0
Men 410 420 10 2.4
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
  April 2009 April 2010p April 2009 to April 2010 April 2009 to April 2010
  Unadjusted for seasonality
  number change in number % change
Newfoundland and Labrador        
St. John's 5,750 5,470 -280 -4.9
Nova Scotia        
Halifax 6,900 6,490 -410 -5.9
New Brunswick        
Saint John 2,630 2,970 340 12.9
Quebec        
Saguenay 6,180 5,350 -830 -13.4
Québec 13,350 12,510 -840 -6.3
Sherbrooke 4,200 3,480 -720 -17.1
Trois-Rivières 4,310 3,910 -400 -9.3
Montréal 75,680 73,470 -2,210 -2.9
Ottawa–Gatineau, Gatineau part 4,060 3,880 -180 -4.4
Ontario        
Ottawa–Gatineau, Ottawa part 8,030 8,160 130 1.6
Kingston 1,850 1,930 80 4.3
Oshawa 6,840 6,210 -630 -9.2
Toronto 97,420 89,130 -8,290 -8.5
Hamilton 13,010 10,410 -2,600 -20.0
St. Catharines–Niagara 9,870 9,700 -170 -1.7
Kitchener 11,160 8,220 -2,940 -26.3
London 9,470 7,680 -1,790 -18.9
Windsor 11,170 6,580 -4,590 -41.1
Greater Sudbury 3,990 4,870 880 22.1
Thunder Bay 2,970 2,510 -460 -15.5
Manitoba        
Winnipeg 7,750 8,460 710 9.2
Saskatchewan        
Regina 1,600 1,730 130 8.1
Saskatoon 2,750 2,800 50 1.8
Alberta        
Calgary 17,930 17,560 -370 -2.1
Edmonton 16,520 15,840 -680 -4.1
British Columbia        
Abbotsford–Mission 3,850 4,310 460 11.9
Vancouver 34,980 36,660 1,680 4.8
Victoria 4,030 3,930 -100 -2.5
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.