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The number of people receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits declined 7,300 to 795,900 in November, with Quebec and British Columbia recording the largest decreases.
The number of regular EI beneficiaries peaked in June at 829,300. Since then, it has declined slightly. This is in contrast with the trend from October 2008 to June 2009, when monthly increases averaged 41,100 people.
Compared with 12 months earlier, the number of people receiving regular EI benefits was higher in November 2009 in all census metropolitan areas (CMAs) (see map). The pace of increase, however, has slowed. Over that period, the number of regular beneficiaries more than doubled in five CMAs: Calgary, Edmonton, Greater Sudbury, Saskatoon and Vancouver. In comparison, the number of beneficiaries had doubled in 14 CMAs in the 12-month period ending in June 2009.
The number of initial and renewal claims received in November amounted to 270,700, up slightly (+1,300 or +0.5%) from the previous month. Increases in Ontario and Alberta were mostly offset by decreases in Quebec and British Columbia. Despite this small increase, the number of EI claims received has been on a downward trend since peaking at 327,700 in May 2009, with declines in every province.
Note to readers
All data in this release are seasonally adjusted unless otherwise specified.
Each month, Statistics Canada provides enhanced analysis of the current labour market situation, using Employment Insurance (EI) statistics and other sources. Earlier in January 2010, 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.
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 October and November 2009 are preliminary.
The number of beneficiaries is a measure of all persons who received EI benefits from the 8th to the 14th of November. This period coincides with the reference week of the LFS for November.
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, and people leaving the EI system, either to go back to work or because they have exhausted their weeks of benefits.
The data on employment used in this analysis are drawn from the LFS.
Number of beneficiaries down in most provinces
In November, the number of regular EI beneficiaries declined in seven provinces, with the largest declines in Quebec and British Columbia.
Quebec posted back-to-back declines, bringing the number of people on EI to 203,000. The number of beneficiaries was down 3,700 in November, after a decrease of 3,300 in October.
In British Columbia, the number of regular beneficiaries also declined for the second consecutive month (-1,200 in October and -2,100 in November). This brought the number of beneficiaries down to 94,300 in November.
The number of EI beneficiaries was up in Alberta for the third time in as many months, although the increase in November (+1,100) was smaller than those of the previous two months.
In Ontario, the number of EI beneficiaries was virtually unchanged over the last two months.
Sub-provincial and demographic overview
Number of EI beneficiaries slows in most large centres
Employment Insurance data by sub-provincial region, sex and age are not seasonally adjusted. Therefore, they are compared on a year-over-year basis.
The number of beneficiaries increased in most large centres, but at a slower pace than in recent months. Large centres are agglomerations with population greater than 10,000.
From November 2008 to November 2009, Montréal posted the largest year-over-year increase in the province of Quebec, as the number of beneficiaries rose 40.8% to 63,100, a slightly slower pace than in previous months. The number of beneficiaries also rose at a slower pace in Québec (CMA), up 21.8% to 8,900.
The number of beneficiaries declined in 7 of 33 large centres in Quebec.
In Ontario, the number of EI recipients more than doubled in 3 of its 41 large centres, namely Greater Sudbury, Collingwood and Orillia. This contrasts with year-over-year increases ending in June, when the number of beneficiaries more than doubled in 26 of the large centres in the province.
In Greater Sudbury, the number of people receiving benefits rose from 1,800 to 4,300. This year-over-year increase coincided with a decline in employment, particularly in the natural resources sector.
The number of EI recipients in Toronto rose from 49,300 to 84,800 (+72.2%), the slowest year-over-year increase in nine months.
In British Columbia, the number of beneficiaries increased in all large centres, albeit generally at a slower pace than in previous months. The fastest year-over-year percentage increases were in Fort St. John, Cranbrook and Vancouver. In Vancouver, the number of people receiving regular benefits doubled to 33,600, while it nearly doubled to 4,000 in Victoria. Employment losses over the period in British Columbia were mainly in manufacturing and construction.
In Alberta, the number of beneficiaries at least doubled in all large centres. The fastest year-over-year percentage increases were in Camrose, Grande Prairie, Brooks and Calgary. In Calgary, the number of people receiving regular benefits increased sharply from 4,600 to 18,700, while the number in Edmonton rose from 4,900 to 15,600. These steep increases coincided with year-over-year employment losses for the province in manufacturing; natural resources; retail and wholesale trade; and professional, scientific and technical services.
In Saskatoon, the number of beneficiaries doubled from 900 to 1,800 people.
Increase in number of beneficiaries slows for men and women in all age groups
While there were more beneficiaries in November 2009 than in November 2008, the pace of increase has slowed in recent months for both men and women in all age groups.
In November, the fastest year-over-year increase in the number of EI beneficiaries continued to be among people under 25 years old. The number of young men receiving regular benefits rose 56.8% to 45,800, less than half the pace recorded five months earlier. Among adult men aged 25 to 54, the number of beneficiaries rose 49.7% to 278,100, half the pace recorded five months earlier.
Over the same period, the number of women under the age of 25 receiving benefits increased by 52.8% to 19,900, while for women aged 25 to 54, it increased 34.4% to 184,100.
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 December will be released on February 19.
A set of maps, Employment Insurance Statistics Maps, November 2009 (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
| October 2009p | November 2009p | October to November 2009 | November 2008 to November 2009 | October to November 2009 | November 2008 to November 2009 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonally adjusted | ||||||
| number | change in number | % change | ||||
| Beneficiaries receiving regular benefits | ||||||
| Canada | 803,270 | 795,940 | -7,330 | 273,330 | -0.9 | 52.3 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 41,870 | 40,550 | -1,320 | 3,750 | -3.2 | 10.2 |
| Prince Edward Island | 9,390 | 8,730 | -660 | 670 | -7.0 | 8.3 |
| Nova Scotia | 34,830 | 34,470 | -360 | 5,930 | -1.0 | 20.8 |
| New Brunswick | 36,700 | 36,640 | -60 | 6,200 | -0.2 | 20.4 |
| Quebec | 206,690 | 202,970 | -3,720 | 37,910 | -1.8 | 23.0 |
| Ontario | 275,090 | 274,550 | -540 | 109,420 | -0.2 | 66.3 |
| Manitoba | 16,920 | 17,180 | 260 | 6,000 | 1.5 | 53.7 |
| Saskatchewan | 14,400 | 14,400 | 0 | 5,690 | 0.0 | 65.3 |
| Alberta | 74,140 | 75,300 | 1,160 | 55,190 | 1.6 | 274.4 |
| British Columbia | 96,400 | 94,330 | -2,070 | 45,580 | -2.1 | 93.5 |
| Yukon | 1,030 | 1,080 | 50 | 150 | 4.9 | 16.1 |
| Northwest Territories | 920 | 940 | 20 | 260 | 2.2 | 38.2 |
| Nunavut | 510 | 510 | 0 | 100 | 0.0 | 24.4 |
| Initial and renewal claims received | ||||||
| Canada | 269,380 | 270,700 | 1,320 | 10,750 | 0.5 | 4.1 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 9,200 | 9,460 | 260 | -30 | 2.8 | -0.3 |
| Prince Edward Island | 2,550 | 2,560 | 10 | 30 | 0.4 | 1.2 |
| Nova Scotia | 10,160 | 10,080 | -80 | -20 | -0.8 | -0.2 |
| New Brunswick | 10,180 | 10,270 | 90 | 330 | 0.9 | 3.3 |
| Quebec | 77,780 | 73,560 | -4,220 | -1,350 | -5.4 | -1.8 |
| Ontario | 86,650 | 93,260 | 6,610 | 670 | 7.6 | 0.7 |
| Manitoba | 8,720 | 8,890 | 170 | 1,890 | 1.9 | 27.0 |
| Saskatchewan | 6,600 | 6,260 | -340 | 1,180 | -5.2 | 23.2 |
| Alberta | 25,380 | 26,390 | 1,010 | 8,730 | 4.0 | 49.4 |
| British Columbia | 33,290 | 32,650 | -640 | 1,460 | -1.9 | 4.7 |
| Yukon | 330 | 320 | -10 | 30 | -3.0 | 10.3 |
| Northwest Territories | 350 | 360 | 10 | 60 | 2.9 | 20.0 |
| Nunavut | 200 | 180 | -20 | 10 | -10.0 | 5.9 |
Table 2
| November 2008 | November 2009p | November 2008 to November 2009 | November 2008 to November 2009 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unadjusted for seasonality | ||||
| number | change in number | % change | ||
| Canada | ||||
| Both sexes | 449,990 | 649,190 | 199,200 | 44.3 |
| Under 25 years | 42,200 | 65,650 | 23,450 | 55.6 |
| 25 to 54 years | 322,830 | 462,200 | 139,370 | 43.2 |
| 55 years and over | 84,960 | 121,340 | 36,380 | 42.8 |
| Men | 267,170 | 399,490 | 132,320 | 49.5 |
| Under 25 years | 29,190 | 45,770 | 16,580 | 56.8 |
| 25 to 54 years | 185,820 | 278,120 | 92,300 | 49.7 |
| 55 years and over | 52,150 | 75,600 | 23,450 | 45.0 |
| Women | 182,830 | 249,710 | 66,880 | 36.6 |
| Under 25 years | 13,010 | 19,880 | 6,870 | 52.8 |
| 25 to 54 years | 137,010 | 184,080 | 47,070 | 34.4 |
| 55 years and over | 32,810 | 45,750 | 12,940 | 39.4 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | ||||
| Both sexes | 33,920 | 36,640 | 2,720 | 8.0 |
| Under 25 years | 3,060 | 3,550 | 490 | 16.0 |
| 25 to 54 years | 23,290 | 24,590 | 1,300 | 5.6 |
| 55 years and over | 7,570 | 8,500 | 930 | 12.3 |
| Men | 18,800 | 21,300 | 2,500 | 13.3 |
| Women | 15,120 | 15,340 | 220 | 1.5 |
| Prince Edward Island | ||||
| Both sexes | 7,760 | 8,270 | 510 | 6.6 |
| Under 25 years | 720 | 820 | 100 | 13.9 |
| 25 to 54 years | 5,160 | 5,400 | 240 | 4.7 |
| 55 years and over | 1,890 | 2,050 | 160 | 8.5 |
| Men | 4,430 | 4,630 | 200 | 4.5 |
| Women | 3,340 | 3,640 | 300 | 9.0 |
| Nova Scotia | ||||
| Both sexes | 26,200 | 30,920 | 4,720 | 18.0 |
| Under 25 years | 2,710 | 3,300 | 590 | 21.8 |
| 25 to 54 years | 18,410 | 21,510 | 3,100 | 16.8 |
| 55 years and over | 5,080 | 6,100 | 1,020 | 20.1 |
| Men | 15,770 | 18,970 | 3,200 | 20.3 |
| Women | 10,430 | 11,950 | 1,520 | 14.6 |
| New Brunswick | ||||
| Both sexes | 26,730 | 31,150 | 4,420 | 16.5 |
| Under 25 years | 2,210 | 2,700 | 490 | 22.2 |
| 25 to 54 years | 18,720 | 21,350 | 2,630 | 14.0 |
| 55 years and over | 5,810 | 7,100 | 1,290 | 22.2 |
| Men | 16,390 | 19,410 | 3,020 | 18.4 |
| Women | 10,350 | 11,740 | 1,390 | 13.4 |
| Quebec | ||||
| Both sexes | 144,900 | 171,200 | 26,300 | 18.2 |
| Under 25 years | 14,950 | 17,820 | 2,870 | 19.2 |
| 25 to 54 years | 101,860 | 119,020 | 17,160 | 16.8 |
| 55 years and over | 28,090 | 34,370 | 6,280 | 22.4 |
| Men | 87,510 | 105,110 | 17,600 | 20.1 |
| Women | 57,390 | 66,090 | 8,700 | 15.2 |
| Ontario | ||||
| Both sexes | 130,490 | 207,040 | 76,550 | 58.7 |
| Under 25 years | 10,930 | 18,750 | 7,820 | 71.5 |
| 25 to 54 years | 98,440 | 153,480 | 55,040 | 55.9 |
| 55 years and over | 21,120 | 34,820 | 13,700 | 64.9 |
| Men | 77,460 | 126,140 | 48,680 | 62.8 |
| Women | 53,030 | 80,900 | 27,870 | 52.6 |
Table 3
| November 2008 | November 2009p | November 2008 to November 2009 | November 2008 to November 2009 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unadjusted for seasonality | ||||
| number | change in number | % change | ||
| Manitoba | ||||
| Both sexes | 8,970 | 13,290 | 4,320 | 48.2 |
| Under 25 years | 970 | 1,600 | 630 | 64.9 |
| 25 to 54 years | 6,390 | 9,420 | 3,030 | 47.4 |
| 55 years and over | 1,610 | 2,270 | 660 | 41.0 |
| Men | 5,740 | 8,800 | 3,060 | 53.3 |
| Women | 3,230 | 4,490 | 1,260 | 39.0 |
| Saskatchewan | ||||
| Both sexes | 6,990 | 10,910 | 3,920 | 56.1 |
| Under 25 years | 630 | 1,290 | 660 | 104.8 |
| 25 to 54 years | 4,900 | 7,550 | 2,650 | 54.1 |
| 55 years and over | 1,470 | 2,070 | 600 | 40.8 |
| Men | 4,410 | 7,350 | 2,940 | 66.7 |
| Women | 2,590 | 3,560 | 970 | 37.5 |
| Alberta | ||||
| Both sexes | 16,550 | 56,310 | 39,760 | 240.2 |
| Under 25 years | 1,430 | 6,360 | 4,930 | 344.8 |
| 25 to 54 years | 12,080 | 41,230 | 29,150 | 241.3 |
| 55 years and over | 3,040 | 8,720 | 5,680 | 186.8 |
| Men | 9,130 | 36,430 | 27,300 | 299.0 |
| Women | 7,430 | 19,880 | 12,450 | 167.6 |
| British Columbia | ||||
| Both sexes | 45,290 | 80,790 | 35,500 | 78.4 |
| Under 25 years | 4,440 | 9,200 | 4,760 | 107.2 |
| 25 to 54 years | 31,910 | 56,690 | 24,780 | 77.7 |
| 55 years and over | 8,940 | 14,900 | 5,960 | 66.7 |
| Men | 26,210 | 49,620 | 23,410 | 89.3 |
| Women | 19,080 | 31,170 | 12,090 | 63.4 |
| Yukon | ||||
| Both sexes | 950 | 1,100 | 150 | 15.8 |
| Under 25 years | 70 | 110 | 40 | 57.1 |
| 25 to 54 years | 670 | 730 | 60 | 9.0 |
| 55 years and over | 210 | 260 | 50 | 23.8 |
| Men | 570 | 690 | 120 | 21.1 |
| Women | 380 | 410 | 30 | 7.9 |
| Northwest Territories | ||||
| Both sexes | 710 | 950 | 240 | 33.8 |
| Under 25 years | 60 | 100 | 40 | 66.7 |
| 25 to 54 years | 550 | 730 | 180 | 32.7 |
| 55 years and over | 100 | 130 | 30 | 30.0 |
| Men | 470 | 640 | 170 | 36.2 |
| Women | 250 | 310 | 60 | 24.0 |
| Nunavut | ||||
| Both sexes | 370 | 460 | 90 | 24.3 |
| Under 25 years | 30 | 60 | 30 | 100.0 |
| 25 to 54 years | 310 | 350 | 40 | 12.9 |
| 55 years and over | 30 | 50 | 20 | 66.7 |
| Men | 250 | 320 | 70 | 28.0 |
| Women | 120 | 140 | 20 | 16.7 |
Table 4
| November 2008 | November 2009p | November 2008 to November 2009 | November 2008 to November 2009 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unadjusted for seasonality | ||||
| number | change in number | % change | ||
| Newfoundland and Labrador | ||||
| St. John's | 3,740 | 4,700 | 960 | 25.7 |
| Nova Scotia | ||||
| Halifax | 3,900 | 5,310 | 1,410 | 36.2 |
| New Brunswick | ||||
| Saint John | 1,290 | 2,080 | 790 | 61.2 |
| Quebec | ||||
| Saguenay | 4,100 | 4,210 | 110 | 2.7 |
| Québec | 7,330 | 8,930 | 1,600 | 21.8 |
| Sherbrooke | 2,340 | 2,860 | 520 | 22.2 |
| Trois-Rivières | 3,150 | 3,360 | 210 | 6.7 |
| Montréal | 44,810 | 63,090 | 18,280 | 40.8 |
| Ottawa–Gatineau, Gatineau part | 2,200 | 2,860 | 660 | 30.0 |
| Ontario | ||||
| Ottawa–Gatineau, Ottawa part | 4,640 | 7,260 | 2,620 | 56.5 |
| Kingston | 940 | 1,490 | 550 | 58.5 |
| Oshawa | 4,250 | 6,000 | 1,750 | 41.2 |
| Toronto | 49,260 | 84,840 | 35,580 | 72.2 |
| Hamilton | 5,570 | 10,170 | 4,600 | 82.6 |
| St. Catharines–Niagara | 5,080 | 8,400 | 3,320 | 65.4 |
| Kitchener | 4,820 | 8,230 | 3,410 | 70.7 |
| London | 5,480 | 7,130 | 1,650 | 30.1 |
| Windsor | 5,260 | 6,390 | 1,130 | 21.5 |
| Greater Sudbury | 1,820 | 4,310 | 2,490 | 136.8 |
| Thunder Bay | 1,410 | 1,970 | 560 | 39.7 |
| Manitoba | ||||
| Winnipeg | 3,960 | 7,030 | 3,070 | 77.5 |
| Saskatchewan | ||||
| Regina | 760 | 1,360 | 600 | 78.9 |
| Saskatoon | 890 | 1,790 | 900 | 101.1 |
| Alberta | ||||
| Calgary | 4,630 | 18,680 | 14,050 | 303.5 |
| Edmonton | 4,940 | 15,620 | 10,680 | 216.2 |
| British Columbia | ||||
| Abbotsford–Mission | 2,440 | 4,140 | 1,700 | 69.7 |
| Vancouver | 16,780 | 33,570 | 16,790 | 100.1 |
| Victoria | 2,050 | 4,040 | 1,990 | 97.1 |
