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The number of regular Employment Insurance (EI) beneficiaries increased for the first time in eight months, rising by 8,600 to 680,100 in May.
Since the peak of June 2009, monthly declines have offset about one-half of the increase in beneficiaries that occurred during the 2008/2009 recession.
The number of beneficiaries rose in most provinces in May, with the largest increases in Ontario and Quebec.
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 July, 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 April and May 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 9th to the 15th of May. 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.
To receive EI benefits, individuals must first submit a claim. In May, 231,900 initial and renewal claims were received, an increase of 2,100 from the previous month.
Since the start of the downward trend in claims in May 2009, the number of claims received has declined by 95,800 or 29.2% nationally. The fastest rates of decline occurred in Ontario (-38.3%), Alberta (-35.2%) and British Columbia (-26.2%).
The number of claims provides an indication of the number of people who could become beneficiaries.
In Ontario, the number of people receiving regular benefits increased by 8,200 to 220,900 in May, following an advance of 2,000 in April. Since peaking in June 2009, the number of beneficiaries has declined by 65,700.
In Quebec, the number of EI beneficiaries rose by 4,200 to 190,700 in May, after declining by 23,500 over the preceding 10 months. This coincided with an increase in employment from June 2009 to May 2010 in many services industries, as well as in construction.
In Alberta, the number of EI beneficiaries decreased by 960 to 49,300 in May, the seventh consecutive monthly decline. Since the peak of June 2009, the number of beneficiaries in Alberta has fallen by 13,600, coinciding with increases in employment in health care and social assistance as well as in construction.
In May, the number of regular beneficiaries increased by 1,300 in Nova Scotia, 1,100 in British Columbia and 440 in Manitoba. There was little change elsewhere.
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 May, 115 of the 143 large centres had fewer regular beneficiaries compared with May 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 declines. Large centres are those with a population of 10,000 or more.
In Ontario, most large centres posted a decrease in the number of regular EI beneficiaries between May 2009 and May 2010. The most notable declines were in Windsor, Leamington, Woodstock, Guelph and Stratford. In Windsor, the number of beneficiaries declined by more than half, falling by 9,600 to 6,100. In Hamilton, it declined by 3,400 to 9,300, and in Kitchener, by 3,400 to 7,400. In Toronto, the number fell by 14,200 to 83,100, the third consecutive year-over-year decline. Greater Sudbury posted the largest increase, up 970 to 4,400.
In Quebec, there were year-over-year declines in almost all large centres from May 2009 to May 2010. The largest percentage declines occurred in Sept-Îles, Amos, Val-d'Or and Saint-Georges. Like Toronto, Montréal posted a third consecutive year-over-year decline, falling by 1,400 to 63,400. Saguenay and Sherbrooke also posted significant declines.
In Alberta, the number of EI beneficiaries in 11 of the 12 large centers declined from May 2009 to May 2010, Cold Lake being the exception. In Calgary, the number of people receiving regular benefits decreased by 2,500 to 15,900; in Edmonton, it declined by 2,000 to 14,400.
Between May 2009 and May 2010, the number of people receiving regular EI benefits edged down in most large centres of Atlantic Canada. The fastest year-over-year declines occurred in Labrador City, Bathurst, New Glasgow and Grand Falls–Windsor.
In Newfoundland and Labrador, the number of beneficiaries declined in St. John's by 150 to 4,800. In Nova Scotia, the number of beneficiaries decreased in Halifax by 290 to 5,600. In contrast, the number of beneficiaries rose by 400 to 2,600 in Saint John, the only large centre in New Brunswick to experience an increase.
Between May 2009 and May 2010, the number of male EI regular beneficiaries decreased 17.0% to 404,800. This was the third consecutive year-over-year decline since the beginning of the labour market downturn in October 2008. The declines were most pronounced among young men under 25 years of age (-25.9%) and men aged 25 to 54 (-19.0%).
Over this year-long period, the number of female beneficiaires was little changed at 238,900. Increases occurred among women aged 55 and over (+17.5%), offsetting declines among young women (-5.8%) and those aged 25 to 54 (-2.8%).
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 June will be released on August 18.
A set of maps, Employment Insurance Statistics Maps, May 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 Dominique Pérusse (613-951-4064), Labour Statistics Division.
April 2010p | May 2010p | April to May 2010 | May 2009 to May 2010 | April to May 2010 | May 2009 to May 2010 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Seasonally adjusted | ||||||
number | change in number | % change | ||||
Beneficiaries receiving regular benefits | ||||||
Canada | 671,550 | 680,140 | 8,590 | -111,320 | 1.3 | -14.1 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 37,740 | 37,620 | -120 | -4,930 | -0.3 | -11.6 |
Prince Edward Island | 8,590 | 8,820 | 230 | -90 | 2.7 | -1.0 |
Nova Scotia | 31,460 | 32,730 | 1,270 | -830 | 4.0 | -2.5 |
New Brunswick | 33,470 | 33,850 | 380 | -2,050 | 1.1 | -5.7 |
Quebec | 186,480 | 190,670 | 4,190 | -18,050 | 2.2 | -8.6 |
Ontario | 212,790 | 220,940 | 8,150 | -56,980 | 3.8 | -20.5 |
Manitoba | 15,670 | 16,110 | 440 | 50 | 2.8 | 0.3 |
Saskatchewan | 12,740 | 12,790 | 50 | -1,330 | 0.4 | -9.4 |
Alberta | 50,240 | 49,280 | -960 | -7,350 | -1.9 | -13.0 |
British Columbia | 81,190 | 82,330 | 1,140 | -6,100 | 1.4 | -6.9 |
Yukon | 1,010 | 1,020 | 10 | -100 | 1.0 | -8.9 |
Northwest Territories | 920 | 890 | -30 | -60 | -3.3 | -6.3 |
Nunavut | 510 | 520 | 10 | 10 | 2.0 | 2.0 |
Initial and renewal claims received | ||||||
Canada | 229,840 | 231,930 | 2,090 | -95,770 | 0.9 | -29.2 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 8,950 | 9,260 | 310 | -810 | 3.5 | -8.0 |
Prince Edward Island | 2,330 | 2,440 | 110 | -400 | 4.7 | -14.1 |
Nova Scotia | 9,350 | 9,580 | 230 | -1,500 | 2.5 | -13.5 |
New Brunswick | 9,890 | 10,360 | 470 | -190 | 4.8 | -1.8 |
Quebec | 66,490 | 67,270 | 780 | -17,380 | 1.2 | -20.5 |
Ontario | 70,200 | 69,960 | -240 | -43,410 | -0.3 | -38.3 |
Manitoba | 7,640 | 7,810 | 170 | -1,890 | 2.2 | -19.5 |
Saskatchewan | 5,680 | 5,660 | -20 | -1,540 | -0.4 | -21.4 |
Alberta | 17,870 | 18,420 | 550 | -9,990 | 3.1 | -35.2 |
British Columbia | 28,600 | 27,820 | -780 | -9,900 | -2.7 | -26.2 |
Yukon | 320 | 310 | -10 | -70 | -3.1 | -18.4 |
Northwest Territories | 320 | 300 | -20 | -40 | -6.3 | -11.8 |
Nunavut | 200 | 190 | -10 | 10 | -5.0 | 5.6 |
May 2009 | May 2010p | May 2009 to May 2010 | May 2009 to May 2010 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unadjusted for seasonality | ||||
number | change in number | % change | ||
Canada | ||||
Both sexes | 725,930 | 643,710 | -82,220 | -11.3 |
Under 25 years | 82,560 | 65,180 | -17,380 | -21.1 |
25 to 54 years | 520,510 | 450,570 | -69,940 | -13.4 |
55 years and over | 122,870 | 127,960 | 5,090 | 4.1 |
Men | 487,900 | 404,840 | -83,060 | -17.0 |
Under 25 years | 62,570 | 46,350 | -16,220 | -25.9 |
25 to 54 years | 342,380 | 277,410 | -64,970 | -19.0 |
55 years and over | 82,950 | 81,080 | -1,870 | -2.3 |
Women | 238,030 | 238,860 | 830 | 0.3 |
Under 25 years | 19,990 | 18,830 | -1,160 | -5.8 |
25 to 54 years | 178,130 | 173,150 | -4,980 | -2.8 |
55 years and over | 39,910 | 46,880 | 6,970 | 17.5 |
Newfoundland and Labrador | ||||
Both sexes | 42,170 | 37,680 | -4,490 | -10.6 |
Under 25 years | 4,520 | 3,890 | -630 | -13.9 |
25 to 54 years | 28,550 | 24,780 | -3,770 | -13.2 |
55 years and over | 9,100 | 9,020 | -80 | -0.9 |
Men | 26,190 | 22,920 | -3,270 | -12.5 |
Women | 15,980 | 14,760 | -1,220 | -7.6 |
Prince Edward Island | ||||
Both sexes | 6,900 | 7,090 | 190 | 2.8 |
Under 25 years | 870 | 810 | -60 | -6.9 |
25 to 54 years | 4,500 | 4,560 | 60 | 1.3 |
55 years and over | 1,530 | 1,730 | 200 | 13.1 |
Men | 4,240 | 4,080 | -160 | -3.8 |
Women | 2,670 | 3,010 | 340 | 12.7 |
Nova Scotia | ||||
Both sexes | 29,750 | 29,270 | -480 | -1.6 |
Under 25 years | 3,680 | 3,390 | -290 | -7.9 |
25 to 54 years | 20,550 | 19,760 | -790 | -3.8 |
55 years and over | 5,530 | 6,110 | 580 | 10.5 |
Men | 19,290 | 17,790 | -1,500 | -7.8 |
Women | 10,460 | 11,470 | 1,010 | 9.7 |
New Brunswick | ||||
Both sexes | 33,150 | 31,660 | -1,490 | -4.5 |
Under 25 years | 3,430 | 3,080 | -350 | -10.2 |
25 to 54 years | 22,710 | 21,240 | -1,470 | -6.5 |
55 years and over | 7,010 | 7,340 | 330 | 4.7 |
Men | 22,980 | 20,640 | -2,340 | -10.2 |
Women | 10,170 | 11,020 | 850 | 8.4 |
Quebec | ||||
Both sexes | 185,930 | 171,110 | -14,820 | -8.0 |
Under 25 years | 21,550 | 17,910 | -3,640 | -16.9 |
25 to 54 years | 129,400 | 116,990 | -12,410 | -9.6 |
55 years and over | 34,980 | 36,210 | 1,230 | 3.5 |
Men | 123,840 | 110,490 | -13,350 | -10.8 |
Women | 62,090 | 60,620 | -1,470 | -2.4 |
Ontario | ||||
Both sexes | 253,470 | 205,370 | -48,100 | -19.0 |
Under 25 years | 25,030 | 18,270 | -6,760 | -27.0 |
25 to 54 years | 190,260 | 149,570 | -40,690 | -21.4 |
55 years and over | 38,170 | 37,530 | -640 | -1.7 |
Men | 168,710 | 125,110 | -43,600 | -25.8 |
Women | 84,760 | 80,260 | -4,500 | -5.3 |
May 2009 | May 2010p | May 2009 to May 2010 | May 2009 to May 2010 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unadjusted for seasonality | ||||
number | change in number | % change | ||
Manitoba | ||||
Both sexes | 13,640 | 14,140 | 500 | 3.7 |
Under 25 years | 1,810 | 1,700 | -110 | -6.1 |
25 to 54 years | 9,770 | 9,890 | 120 | 1.2 |
55 years and over | 2,060 | 2,550 | 490 | 23.8 |
Men | 9,810 | 9,750 | -60 | -0.6 |
Women | 3,830 | 4,390 | 560 | 14.6 |
Saskatchewan | ||||
Both sexes | 11,720 | 11,070 | -650 | -5.5 |
Under 25 years | 1,780 | 1,380 | -400 | -22.5 |
25 to 54 years | 8,080 | 7,580 | -500 | -6.2 |
55 years and over | 1,860 | 2,110 | 250 | 13.4 |
Men | 8,770 | 7,580 | -1,190 | -13.6 |
Women | 2,950 | 3,500 | 550 | 18.6 |
Alberta | ||||
Both sexes | 58,640 | 50,610 | -8,030 | -13.7 |
Under 25 years | 8,190 | 5,390 | -2,800 | -34.2 |
25 to 54 years | 42,630 | 36,390 | -6,240 | -14.6 |
55 years and over | 7,820 | 8,830 | 1,010 | 12.9 |
Men | 42,050 | 32,590 | -9,460 | -22.5 |
Women | 16,590 | 18,020 | 1,430 | 8.6 |
British Columbia | ||||
Both sexes | 87,820 | 83,060 | -4,760 | -5.4 |
Under 25 years | 11,400 | 9,100 | -2,300 | -20.2 |
25 to 54 years | 62,020 | 57,830 | -4,190 | -6.8 |
55 years and over | 14,410 | 16,130 | 1,720 | 11.9 |
Men | 60,200 | 52,130 | -8,070 | -13.4 |
Women | 27,620 | 30,920 | 3,300 | 11.9 |
Yukon | ||||
Both sexes | 1,030 | 960 | -70 | -6.8 |
Under 25 years | 110 | 100 | -10 | -9.1 |
25 to 54 years | 710 | 670 | -40 | -5.6 |
55 years and over | 210 | 190 | -20 | -9.5 |
Men | 690 | 640 | -50 | -7.2 |
Women | 340 | 330 | -10 | -2.9 |
Northwest Territories | ||||
Both sexes | 1,000 | 950 | -50 | -5.0 |
Under 25 years | 110 | 110 | 0 | 0.0 |
25 to 54 years | 760 | 700 | -60 | -7.9 |
55 years and over | 130 | 140 | 10 | 7.7 |
Men | 670 | 610 | -60 | -9.0 |
Women | 330 | 340 | 10 | 3.0 |
Nunavut | ||||
Both sexes | 540 | 550 | 10 | 1.9 |
Under 25 years | 60 | 50 | -10 | -16.7 |
25 to 54 years | 430 | 450 | 20 | 4.7 |
55 years and over | 50 | 50 | 0 | 0.0 |
Men | 400 | 420 | 20 | 5.0 |
Women | 140 | 130 | -10 | -7.1 |
May 2009 | May 2010p | May 2009 to May 2010 | May 2009 to May 2010 | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Unadjusted for seasonality | ||||
number | change in number | % change | ||
Newfoundland and Labrador | ||||
St. John's | 4,980 | 4,830 | -150 | -3.0 |
Nova Scotia | ||||
Halifax | 5,900 | 5,610 | -290 | -4.9 |
New Brunswick | ||||
Saint John | 2,160 | 2,560 | 400 | 18.5 |
Quebec | ||||
Saguenay | 4,800 | 3,970 | -830 | -17.3 |
Québec | 9,920 | 9,860 | -60 | -0.6 |
Sherbrooke | 3,300 | 2,650 | -650 | -19.7 |
Trois-Rivières | 3,460 | 3,260 | -200 | -5.8 |
Montréal | 64,810 | 63,410 | -1,400 | -2.2 |
Ottawa–Gatineau, Gatineau part | 3,140 | 3,220 | 80 | 2.5 |
Ontario | ||||
Ottawa–Gatineau, Ottawa part | 7,010 | 7,310 | 300 | 4.3 |
Kingston | 1,580 | 1,630 | 50 | 3.2 |
Oshawa | 6,630 | 5,780 | -850 | -12.8 |
Toronto | 97,340 | 83,130 | -14,210 | -14.6 |
Hamilton | 12,700 | 9,310 | -3,390 | -26.7 |
St. Catharines–Niagara | 8,990 | 8,130 | -860 | -9.6 |
Kitchener | 10,760 | 7,370 | -3,390 | -31.5 |
London | 9,170 | 7,040 | -2,130 | -23.2 |
Windsor | 15,650 | 6,060 | -9,590 | -61.3 |
Greater Sudbury | 3,460 | 4,430 | 970 | 28.0 |
Thunder Bay | 2,550 | 2,160 | -390 | -15.3 |
Manitoba | ||||
Winnipeg | 6,570 | 7,400 | 830 | 12.6 |
Saskatchewan | ||||
Regina | 1,250 | 1,380 | 130 | 10.4 |
Saskatoon | 1,900 | 2,230 | 330 | 17.4 |
Alberta | ||||
Calgary | 18,420 | 15,900 | -2,520 | -13.7 |
Edmonton | 16,380 | 14,410 | -1,970 | -12.0 |
British Columbia | ||||
Abbotsford–Mission | 3,650 | 3,860 | 210 | 5.8 |
Vancouver | 34,790 | 35,040 | 250 | 0.7 |
Victoria | 3,850 | 3,700 | -150 | -3.9 |