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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%.
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%).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 |
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 |
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 |
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 |