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In February, 698,800 people received regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, virtually unchanged from the previous month.
The number of people receiving regular EI benefits has declined by 130,500 since the peak of 829,300 last June.
To receive EI benefits, individuals must first submit a claim. In February, 237,500 initial and renewal claims were received, down slightly from the previous month.
The number of claims edged down in most provinces, particularly in Ontario (-2,700), Quebec (-1,600) and Alberta (-1,000). The number of claims provides an indication of the number of people who could become beneficiaries.
The number of initial and renewal claims received has been on a downward trend since 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 analysis of the current labour market situation, using Employment Insurance (EI) statistics and other sources. Earlier in April 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 (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 January and February 2010 are preliminary.
The number of beneficiaries is a measure of all persons who received EI benefits from the 14th to the 20th of February. 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.
Provincial analysis
In Ontario, the number of people receiving regular benefits declined by 6,100 to 224,100. This brought the total decrease since June 2009 to 62,500 (-21.8%). During this period, employment in Ontario increased in both the goods and service sectors.
In Alberta, the number of EI recipients edged down 1,700 to 57,200 in February, bringing the total decline since June 2009 to 5,600.
In British Columbia, the number of EI recipients fell by 1,200 to 80,400. This brought the total decline since June 2009 to 13,800. Over the same period, there were more workers in a number of industries in the service sector.
There was little or no change in the number of beneficiaries in February in the other provinces.
Sub-provincial and demographic overview
More 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.
Between February 2009 and February 2010, 51 of the 143 large centres had fewer beneficiaries (see map). This is a marked change from previous months when few centres experienced decreases. Large centres are those with a population greater than 10,000.
In Quebec, the number of beneficiaries declined in two-thirds of its 33 large centres between February 2009 and February 2010. The largest percentage declines were in Val-d'Or, Matane, Saint-Georges, Sept-Îles and Amos. In Montréal, although the number of beneficiaries rose by 14.5% to 86,400, this was the smallest year-over-year increase since December 2008.
In Ontario, most large centres experienced an increase in the number of EI recipients between February 2009 and February 2010. However, more large centres showed declines than in previous months. The most notable decrease occurred in Windsor where the number of beneficiaries dropped by 35.9% to 7,600, the first decrease since June 2008. Other large centres with notable declines in the number of beneficiaries included Woodstock, Guelph, Midland and Stratford.
The most notable increase occurred in Greater Sudbury, up 51.6% to 5,700.
Toronto recorded 8,900 more EI recipients in February compared with the same month in 2009, a 9.8% increase. This was the smallest year-over-year increase in the number of beneficiaries since October 2008.
The number of EI recipients rose in all large centres of Alberta. However, the rate of increase in all centres was slower than in previous months. The number of beneficiaries doubled or nearly doubled in Camrose, Grande Prairie, Brooks and Cold Lake. In Calgary, the number of beneficiaries rose by 63.0% to 20,100 over the 12-month period. In Edmonton, the number of recipients increased 54.0% to 17,700.
In British Columbia, there was a decline in 8 of 25 large centres, with the most pronounced decrease in Williams Lake. In centres where the number of beneficiaries rose over the 12-month period ending in February, the increase was less pronounced than in previous months.
In Vancouver, the number of recipients increased by 28.8% to 37,500; in Victoria, it rose by 24.9% to 4,500.
Larger increases in the number of female beneficiaries but slower increases among men
Between February 2009 and February 2010, the number of female EI beneficiaries rose 15.6%, compared with a 4.2% increase among men. This contrasts with most of 2009 when the rate of growth was faster among men than women. Despite the recent shift towards faster growth among women beneficiaries, there are twice as many men than women receiving EI benefits.
Among people under the age of 25, the number of beneficiaries rose 3.8%, the slowest year-over-year increase of all age groups. Among men in this age group, the number of beneficiaries was almost unchanged (+0.3%), while among young women, the increase was 17.2%.
The number of EI recipients aged 25 to 54 rose by 33,400, or 5.9%. Among men, the increase was 2.7% and among women, 12.7%. This was the second consecutive month in which the year-over-year growth was faster among women than men in this age group.
For the second consecutive month, people aged 55 and over experienced the fastest year-over-year rate of increase in the number of beneficiaries (+17.3%). The increase among women was 27.3%, and among men, 13.0%.
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 March will be released on May 20.
A set of maps, Employment Insurance Statistics Maps, February 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
| January 2010p | February 2010p | January to February 2010 | February 2009 to February 2010 | January to February 2010 | February 2009 to February 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seasonally adjusted | ||||||
| number | change in number | % change | ||||
| Beneficiaries receiving regular benefits | ||||||
| Canada | 698,090 | 698,840 | 750 | 71,370 | 0.1 | 11.4 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 38,880 | 38,800 | -80 | 350 | -0.2 | 0.9 |
| Prince Edward Island | 8,580 | 8,630 | 50 | 610 | 0.6 | 7.6 |
| Nova Scotia | 32,700 | 32,950 | 250 | 2,310 | 0.8 | 7.5 |
| New Brunswick | 34,690 | 34,500 | -190 | 1,630 | -0.5 | 5.0 |
| Quebec | 193,680 | 193,900 | 220 | 7,130 | 0.1 | 3.8 |
| Ontario | 230,210 | 224,120 | -6,090 | 18,000 | -2.6 | 8.7 |
| Manitoba | 16,110 | 16,030 | -80 | 3,050 | -0.5 | 23.5 |
| Saskatchewan | 12,930 | 13,010 | 80 | 2,240 | 0.6 | 20.8 |
| Alberta | 58,940 | 57,240 | -1,700 | 23,060 | -2.9 | 67.5 |
| British Columbia | 81,580 | 80,400 | -1,180 | 13,370 | -1.4 | 19.9 |
| Yukon | 1,020 | 1,040 | 20 | 110 | 2.0 | 11.8 |
| Northwest Territories | 920 | 920 | 0 | 70 | 0.0 | 8.2 |
| Nunavut | 520 | 500 | -20 | 30 | -3.8 | 6.4 |
| Initial and renewal claims received | ||||||
| Canada | 240,790 | 237,470 | -3,320 | -88,920 | -1.4 | -27.2 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | 9,350 | 9,320 | -30 | -870 | -0.3 | -8.5 |
| Prince Edward Island | 2,420 | 2,450 | 30 | -120 | 1.2 | -4.7 |
| Nova Scotia | 9,750 | 9,610 | -140 | -1,070 | -1.4 | -10.0 |
| New Brunswick | 9,900 | 10,400 | 500 | -300 | 5.1 | -2.8 |
| Quebec | 71,240 | 69,600 | -1,640 | -14,660 | -2.3 | -17.4 |
| Ontario | 74,190 | 71,510 | -2,680 | -38,360 | -3.6 | -34.9 |
| Manitoba | 8,160 | 7,410 | -750 | -1,110 | -9.2 | -13.0 |
| Saskatchewan | 5,890 | 5,830 | -60 | -560 | -1.0 | -8.8 |
| Alberta | 21,450 | 20,450 | -1,000 | -7,580 | -4.7 | -27.0 |
| British Columbia | 28,810 | 28,080 | -730 | -13,410 | -2.5 | -32.3 |
| Yukon | 300 | 290 | -10 | -20 | -3.3 | -6.5 |
| Northwest Territories | 360 | 330 | -30 | 0 | -8.3 | 0.0 |
| Nunavut | 180 | 200 | 20 | 0 | 11.1 | 0.0 |
Table 2
| February 2009 | February 2010p | February 2009 to February 2010 | February 2009 to February 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unadjusted for seasonality | ||||
| number | change in number | % change | ||
| Canada | ||||
| Both sexes | 805,150 | 866,620 | 61,470 | 7.6 |
| Under 25 years | 94,460 | 98,020 | 3,560 | 3.8 |
| 25 to 54 years | 569,230 | 602,650 | 33,420 | 5.9 |
| 55 years and over | 141,470 | 165,950 | 24,480 | 17.3 |
| Men | 561,130 | 584,560 | 23,430 | 4.2 |
| Under 25 years | 75,220 | 75,470 | 250 | 0.3 |
| 25 to 54 years | 386,910 | 397,180 | 10,270 | 2.7 |
| 55 years and over | 99,000 | 111,900 | 12,900 | 13.0 |
| Women | 244,020 | 282,060 | 38,040 | 15.6 |
| Under 25 years | 19,240 | 22,550 | 3,310 | 17.2 |
| 25 to 54 years | 182,320 | 205,460 | 23,140 | 12.7 |
| 55 years and over | 42,470 | 54,050 | 11,580 | 27.3 |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | ||||
| Both sexes | 49,940 | 49,120 | -820 | -1.6 |
| Under 25 years | 4,700 | 4,650 | -50 | -1.1 |
| 25 to 54 years | 34,200 | 32,880 | -1,320 | -3.9 |
| 55 years and over | 11,040 | 11,590 | 550 | 5.0 |
| Men | 31,460 | 30,690 | -770 | -2.4 |
| Women | 18,490 | 18,440 | -50 | -0.3 |
| Prince Edward Island | ||||
| Both sexes | 11,480 | 12,140 | 660 | 5.7 |
| Under 25 years | 1,160 | 1,240 | 80 | 6.9 |
| 25 to 54 years | 7,530 | 7,820 | 290 | 3.9 |
| 55 years and over | 2,790 | 3,080 | 290 | 10.4 |
| Men | 7,230 | 7,580 | 350 | 4.8 |
| Women | 4,250 | 4,570 | 320 | 7.5 |
| Nova Scotia | ||||
| Both sexes | 40,410 | 42,680 | 2,270 | 5.6 |
| Under 25 years | 4,520 | 4,800 | 280 | 6.2 |
| 25 to 54 years | 28,100 | 29,100 | 1,000 | 3.6 |
| 55 years and over | 7,790 | 8,770 | 980 | 12.6 |
| Men | 27,130 | 27,960 | 830 | 3.1 |
| Women | 13,280 | 14,710 | 1,430 | 10.8 |
| New Brunswick | ||||
| Both sexes | 43,990 | 45,120 | 1,130 | 2.6 |
| Under 25 years | 4,240 | 4,280 | 40 | 0.9 |
| 25 to 54 years | 30,450 | 30,560 | 110 | 0.4 |
| 55 years and over | 9,310 | 10,290 | 980 | 10.5 |
| Men | 30,640 | 30,640 | 0 | 0.0 |
| Women | 13,350 | 14,480 | 1,130 | 8.5 |
| Quebec | ||||
| Both sexes | 246,840 | 254,190 | 7,350 | 3.0 |
| Under 25 years | 31,050 | 30,490 | -560 | -1.8 |
| 25 to 54 years | 170,910 | 173,780 | 2,870 | 1.7 |
| 55 years and over | 44,880 | 49,920 | 5,040 | 11.2 |
| Men | 175,340 | 178,120 | 2,780 | 1.6 |
| Women | 71,500 | 76,070 | 4,570 | 6.4 |
| Ontario | ||||
| Both sexes | 258,700 | 268,010 | 9,310 | 3.6 |
| Under 25 years | 28,440 | 28,670 | 230 | 0.8 |
| 25 to 54 years | 190,640 | 192,940 | 2,300 | 1.2 |
| 55 years and over | 39,620 | 46,400 | 6,780 | 17.1 |
| Men | 181,880 | 179,280 | -2,600 | -1.4 |
| Women | 76,830 | 88,730 | 11,900 | 15.5 |
Table 3
| February 2009 | February 2010p | February 2009 to February 2010 | February 2009 to February 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unadjusted for seasonality | ||||
| number | change in number | % change | ||
| Manitoba | ||||
| Both sexes | 16,280 | 19,570 | 3,290 | 20.2 |
| Under 25 years | 2,320 | 2,770 | 450 | 19.4 |
| 25 to 54 years | 11,220 | 13,190 | 1,970 | 17.6 |
| 55 years and over | 2,740 | 3,610 | 870 | 31.8 |
| Men | 12,350 | 14,690 | 2,340 | 18.9 |
| Women | 3,930 | 4,880 | 950 | 24.2 |
| Saskatchewan | ||||
| Both sexes | 14,490 | 16,840 | 2,350 | 16.2 |
| Under 25 years | 1,750 | 2,120 | 370 | 21.1 |
| 25 to 54 years | 9,770 | 11,130 | 1,360 | 13.9 |
| 55 years and over | 2,970 | 3,590 | 620 | 20.9 |
| Men | 10,600 | 12,100 | 1,500 | 14.2 |
| Women | 3,890 | 4,740 | 850 | 21.9 |
| Alberta | ||||
| Both sexes | 38,950 | 61,540 | 22,590 | 58.0 |
| Under 25 years | 5,140 | 7,290 | 2,150 | 41.8 |
| 25 to 54 years | 27,480 | 43,740 | 16,260 | 59.2 |
| 55 years and over | 6,330 | 10,510 | 4,180 | 66.0 |
| Men | 27,400 | 41,310 | 13,910 | 50.8 |
| Women | 11,550 | 20,230 | 8,680 | 75.2 |
| British Columbia | ||||
| Both sexes | 81,130 | 94,260 | 13,130 | 16.2 |
| Under 25 years | 10,830 | 11,390 | 560 | 5.2 |
| 25 to 54 years | 56,770 | 65,200 | 8,430 | 14.8 |
| 55 years and over | 13,540 | 17,680 | 4,140 | 30.6 |
| Men | 55,130 | 60,040 | 4,910 | 8.9 |
| Women | 26,000 | 34,220 | 8,220 | 31.6 |
| Yukon | ||||
| Both sexes | 1,280 | 1,400 | 120 | 9.4 |
| Under 25 years | 140 | 160 | 20 | 14.3 |
| 25 to 54 years | 870 | 940 | 70 | 8.0 |
| 55 years and over | 270 | 300 | 30 | 11.1 |
| Men | 870 | 960 | 90 | 10.3 |
| Women | 410 | 440 | 30 | 7.3 |
| Northwest Territories | ||||
| Both sexes | 940 | 1,000 | 60 | 6.4 |
| Under 25 years | 100 | 110 | 10 | 10.0 |
| 25 to 54 years | 710 | 760 | 50 | 7.0 |
| 55 years and over | 130 | 140 | 10 | 7.7 |
| Men | 670 | 700 | 30 | 4.5 |
| Women | 280 | 310 | 30 | 10.7 |
| Nunavut | ||||
| Both sexes | 530 | 550 | 20 | 3.8 |
| Under 25 years | 60 | 60 | 0 | 0.0 |
| 25 to 54 years | 420 | 450 | 30 | 7.1 |
| 55 years and over | 50 | 40 | -10 | -20.0 |
| Men | 390 | 420 | 30 | 7.7 |
| Women | 140 | 140 | 0 | 0.0 |
Table 4
| February 2009 | February 2010p | February 2009 to February 2010 | February 2009 to February 2010 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unadjusted for seasonality | ||||
| number | change in number | % change | ||
| Newfoundland and Labrador | ||||
| St. John's | 6,130 | 6,430 | 300 | 4.9 |
| Nova Scotia | ||||
| Halifax | 6,700 | 7,540 | 840 | 12.5 |
| New Brunswick | ||||
| Saint John | 2,610 | 3,380 | 770 | 29.5 |
| Quebec | ||||
| Saguenay | 6,680 | 6,330 | -350 | -5.2 |
| Québec | 15,260 | 15,370 | 110 | 0.7 |
| Sherbrooke | 4,580 | 4,460 | -120 | -2.6 |
| Trois-Rivières | 4,820 | 5,080 | 260 | 5.4 |
| Montréal | 75,430 | 86,400 | 10,970 | 14.5 |
| Ottawa–Gatineau, Gatineau part | 4,400 | 4,920 | 520 | 11.8 |
| Ontario | ||||
| Ottawa–Gatineau, Ottawa part | 7,530 | 9,390 | 1,860 | 24.7 |
| Kingston | 1,980 | 2,440 | 460 | 23.2 |
| Oshawa | 6,610 | 7,190 | 580 | 8.8 |
| Toronto | 89,940 | 98,790 | 8,850 | 9.8 |
| Hamilton | 13,680 | 12,430 | -1,250 | -9.1 |
| St. Catharines–Niagara | 11,190 | 11,730 | 540 | 4.8 |
| Kitchener | 10,470 | 9,770 | -700 | -6.7 |
| London | 10,170 | 9,430 | -740 | -7.3 |
| Windsor | 11,830 | 7,580 | -4,250 | -35.9 |
| Greater Sudbury | 3,780 | 5,730 | 1,950 | 51.6 |
| Thunder Bay | 3,010 | 3,030 | 20 | 0.7 |
| Manitoba | ||||
| Winnipeg | 7,530 | 9,800 | 2,270 | 30.1 |
| Saskatchewan | ||||
| Regina | 1,390 | 2,110 | 720 | 51.8 |
| Saskatoon | 2,440 | 3,030 | 590 | 24.2 |
| Alberta | ||||
| Calgary | 12,310 | 20,060 | 7,750 | 63.0 |
| Edmonton | 11,510 | 17,730 | 6,220 | 54.0 |
| British Columbia | ||||
| Abbotsford–Mission | 3,430 | 4,710 | 1,280 | 37.3 |
| Vancouver | 29,140 | 37,540 | 8,400 | 28.8 |
| Victoria | 3,620 | 4,520 | 900 | 24.9 |
