Information identified as archived is provided for reference, research or recordkeeping purposes. It is not subject to the Government of Canada Web Standards and has not been altered or updated since it was archived. Please "contact us" to request a format other than those available.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004 Employment Insurance Coverage Survey2003The proportion of unemployed Canadians potentially eligible for Employment Insurance benefits remained virtually unchanged in 2003, according to data from the Employment Insurance Coverage Survey. About 707,000 people, or 57.3% of unemployed individuals, were potentially eligible to receive Employment Insurance benefits, up from 55.4% in 2002. This was the highest ratio of unemployed effectively eligible for employment insurance benefits since the survey began in 1997. Of those who were potentially eligible, an estimated 592,000, or 83.7%, accumulated enough hours of paid work to make a claim. The most common reason for not being covered by the Employment Insurance program was still the lack of paid employment during the previous 12 months. However, in 2003, only about 24% of unemployed individuals were not potentially eligible for this reason. This proportion has been declining steadily since 1997, when it was 34.7%. In 2003, 64.8% of mothers with a child up to 12 months of age received maternity or parental benefits at some point during their pregnancy, or after the birth or adoption of their child. This was up slightly from 63.3% in 2002. The proportion of mothers with insurable employment remained virtually unchanged at 75.0%. Among paid workers, the average duration of the leave or planned leave reached 11 months in 2003. Similar data are not available for self-employed mothers, because the survey does not gather information on the return intentions of self-employed individuals who are still on leave at the time of the interview. However, nearly one in three self-employed mothers had already gone back to work two months after the birth of their child, compared with only 3% of paid workers. The proportion of fathers who claimed or intended to claim parental benefits was little changed in 2003 (11.1%). The mother's desire to stay with her child was the most frequently reported reason for the father's not taking parental leave. Half the mothers who themselves received maternity related benefits reported that reason. Another 16% said it was more financially advantageous if they, not their husband or partner, stayed home, and 12% said it was easier for them to take the time off work. Definitions, data sources and methods: survey number 4428. Note: The Employment Insurance Coverage Survey has been conducted for Human Resources Development Canada since 1997. The survey is conducted in four cycles each year, in April, July, November and January. In 2000, the survey was expanded to help monitor the effect of the extended parental benefit program. In 2003, 2,570 unemployed and 1,213 mothers of a child less than one year old were surveyed. To order custom tabulations, or to enquire about the concepts, methods or data quality of this release, contact Client Services (1 800-461-9050; 613-951-3321; fax: 613-951-4527; ssd@statcan.gc.ca), Special Surveys Division.
|
|