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July 2010 (Previous release)

In July, 672,200 people received regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits, down 31,400 from June. This decline offsets increases observed in the spring, and brings the number of beneficiaries back to the level recorded in March.

The number of Employment Insurance beneficiaries in July similar to the level recorded in March

The number of beneficiaries was down in nine provinces in July, with the most notable declines in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick. At the same time, there was a small increase in Newfoundland and Labrador.

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 this month, 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 June and July 2010 are preliminary. In this release, large centres correspond to those with a population of 10,000 or more.

The number of beneficiaries is a measure of all persons who received EI benefits from the 11th to the 17th of July. 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 are 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 reflects various situations, including people becoming beneficiaries, people going back to work, and people exhausting their regular benefits.

Since the peak of June 2009, the decline in the number of regular beneficiaries totalled 157,100, offsetting nearly half of the 329,000 increase that occurred during the 2008/2009 recession.

Recent upward trend in number of claims

To receive EI benefits, individuals must first submit a claim. In July, 247,900 initial and renewal claims were received, up 6,200 from June. The number of claims has been trending up since March, increasing by 17,700 over the period.

The fastest rates of increase from March to July occurred in Ontario (+12.6%), Manitoba (+12.6%), Alberta (+12.1%), British Columbia (+9.1%) and Québec (+8.6%).

More Employment Insurance claims in recent months

This contrasts with the period from May 2009 to March 2010, when the number of claims trended down. Over that period, the number of claims received had declined by 97,500 nationally.

The number of claims provides an indication of the number of people who could become beneficiaries.

Largest decreases in beneficiaries in Quebec, Ontario, Alberta and New Brunswick

In Quebec, the number of regular EI beneficiaries declined by 5,800 to 186,800 in July, more than offsetting increases in the two preceding months in that province. Since the peak of June 2009, the number of beneficiaries in Quebec has fallen by 23,200 (-11.0%).

In Ontario, the number of beneficiaries fell by 4,600 in July, following a drop of 3,900 in June. These two consecutive monthly declines have more than offset the increases in April and May. Since the peak of June 2009, the number of regular beneficiaries in Ontario has fallen by 76,900 (-26.8%).

In Alberta, the number of beneficiaries decreased by 1,700 to 47,000 in July, the ninth consecutive monthly decline. Since the peak of June 2009, the number of beneficiaries in Alberta has fallen by 15,900 (-25.2%).

In July, the number of beneficiaries decreased by 1,200 in New Brunswick, partly offsetting increases observed in the previous two months. In Newfoundland and Labrador, the only province to record an increase in July, the number of regular beneficiaries reached 40,000, up 950 or 2.4% from the month before. Since the peak of June 2009, however, the number of beneficiaries in Newfoundland and Labrador has fallen by 10.3%.

Sub-provincial and demographic overview

Most large centres show year-over-year declines 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 July 2009 and July 2010, declines in the number of regular Employment Insurance beneficiaries were widespread as 123 of the 143 large centres registered declines (see map). Large centres are those with a population of 10,000 or more.

In Quebec, there were year-over-year declines in most large centres. The largest percentage declines occurred in Sorel-Tracy, Amos, Val-d'Or, Sept-Îles and Granby. In Montréal, the number of beneficiaries fell by 4,000, the fifth consecutive month of year-over-year declines. In contrast, the number of beneficiaries in the census metropolitan area of Québec rose slightly for the second consecutive month.

In Ontario, most large centres posted a decrease between July 2009 and July 2010. The most notable declines were in Woodstock, Guelph, Windsor, and Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo. In Toronto, the number fell by 23,000 to 86,700, the largest of five consecutive year-over-year declines. Hamilton and London both posted a large decline of 3,700. In Greater Sudbury, the number of regular EI beneficiaries fell year-over-year by 1,500 to 4,300 in July, its first decline in number of beneficiaries since August 2008.

In Alberta, the number of regular beneficiaries fell in virtually all large centres between July 2009 and July 2010. The fastest percentage declines occurred in Brooks, Grande Prairie, Red Deer and Medicine Hat. The number of beneficiaries fell for the fourth consecutive month in both Calgary and Edmonton. In Calgary, the number of people receiving regular benefits fell by 6,300 to 15,200, and in Edmonton, it decreased by 3,500 to 15,300.

In New Brunswick, the situation varied among the large centres. Bathurst, Edmunston, Fredericton and Campbellton have shown year-over-year decreases in their number of regular beneficiaries for at least the past five months, while there were more beneficiaries in Moncton and Saint John this July compared with a year earlier. For Moncton, it was the second consecutive increase, but for Saint John, the number of beneficiaries has been on the rise since the 2008/2009 recession.

The number of beneficiaries in Vancouver fell by 2,500 to 35,300, the second consecutive year-over-year decline since the start of the labour market downturn in the fall of 2008.

Demographic groups

Faster decline in the number of beneficiaries among men than women

Between July 2009 and July 2010, the number of male EI regular beneficiaries fell by 86,400 to 349,000 (-19.8%). This was the fifth consecutive year-over-year decline.

The fastest rates of decline occurred among young men aged 15 to 24 (-31.0%) and men aged 25 to 54 (-22.1%). The number of beneficiaries also declined for men aged 55 and over (-3.1%).

The number of female beneficiaries declined at a slower pace during this year-long period, down 7.1% (-23,400). This was the second consecutive decline in the number of female beneficiaries.

The number of female beneficiaries aged 25 to 54 declined by 23,700 (-9.5%), while the number among those aged 15 to 24 fell by 4,000 (-16.9%). In contrast, the number of female beneficiaries aged 55 and over increased by 4,300 (+7.8%). Despite this increase, the pace of growth for women 55 and over has slowed steadily since October 2009.

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 Key resource module of our website under Summary tables, choose Subject then Labour.

Data on Employment Insurance for August will be released on October 21.

A set of maps, Employment Insurance Statistics Maps, July 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) or Vincent Ferrao (613-951-4750), Labour Statistics Division.

Table 1

Employment Insurance: Statistics by province and territory
  June 2010p July 2010p June to July 2010 July 2009 to July 2010 June to July 2010 July 2009 to July 2010
  Seasonally adjusted
  number change in number % change
Beneficiaries receiving regular benefits            
Canada 703,520 672,170 -31,350 -121,970 -4.5 -15.4
Newfoundland and Labrador 39,110 40,060 950 -7,730 2.4 -16.2
Prince Edward Island 9,340 8,660 -680 -240 -7.3 -2.7
Nova Scotia 33,420 33,380 -40 -1,130 -0.1 -3.3
New Brunswick 35,780 34,630 -1,150 -2,060 -3.2 -5.6
Quebec 192,670 186,840 -5,830 -12,060 -3.0 -6.1
Ontario 214,370 209,730 -4,640 -58,570 -2.2 -21.8
Manitoba 15,980 15,420 -560 -10 -3.5 -0.1
Saskatchewan 13,000 12,610 -390 -1,530 -3.0 -10.8
Alberta 48,700 47,010 -1,690 -15,300 -3.5 -24.6
British Columbia 82,310 81,660 -650 -11,780 -0.8 -12.6
Yukon 1,030 1,030 0 -120 0.0 -10.4
Northwest Territories 890 880 -10 -100 -1.1 -10.2
Nunavut 530 530 0 10 0.0 1.9
Initial and renewal claims received            
Canada 241,660 247,890 6,230 -28,220 2.6 -10.2
Newfoundland and Labrador 9,020 9,010 -10 -750 -0.1 -7.7
Prince Edward Island 2,460 2,300 -160 150 -6.5 7.0
Nova Scotia 10,180 9,840 -340 -570 -3.3 -5.5
New Brunswick 9,760 10,340 580 70 5.9 0.7
Quebec 69,990 71,100 1,110 -8,050 1.6 -10.2
Ontario 71,880 81,120 9,240 -12,360 12.9 -13.2
Manitoba 7,730 8,200 470 -250 6.1 -3.0
Saskatchewan 6,160 5,870 -290 -200 -4.7 -3.3
Alberta 20,140 20,930 790 -4,510 3.9 -17.7
British Columbia 29,390 30,840 1,450 -1,440 4.9 -4.5
Yukon 320 320 0 -10 0.0 -3.0
Northwest Territories 320 310 -10 -40 -3.1 -11.4
Nunavut 200 180 -20 0 -10.0 0.0
preliminary
Note(s):
The number of beneficiaries receiving regular benefits excludes claimants receiving training, job creation and self-employment benefits as well as other employment and support measures benefits.

Table 2

Beneficiaries receiving regular benefits by age group, sex, province and territory
  July 2009 July 2010p July 2009 to July 2010 July 2009 to July 2010
  Unadjusted for seasonality
  number change in number % change
Canada        
Both sexes 764,070 654,270 -109,800 -14.4
Under 25 years 76,200 55,870 -20,330 -26.7
25 to 54 years 555,920 464,520 -91,400 -16.4
55 years and over 131,950 133,880 1,930 1.5
Men 435,380 348,970 -86,410 -19.8
Under 25 years 52,740 36,370 -16,370 -31.0
25 to 54 years 305,930 238,250 -67,680 -22.1
55 years and over 76,710 74,350 -2,360 -3.1
Women 328,700 305,300 -23,400 -7.1
Under 25 years 23,460 19,500 -3,960 -16.9
25 to 54 years 250,000 226,270 -23,730 -9.5
55 years and over 55,240 59,530 4,290 7.8
Newfoundland and Labrador        
Both sexes 37,140 32,250 -4,890 -13.2
Under 25 years 4,120 3,260 -860 -20.9
25 to 54 years 25,000 20,990 -4,010 -16.0
55 years and over 8,030 8,010 -20 -0.2
Men 21,790 18,130 -3,660 -16.8
Women 15,350 14,120 -1,230 -8.0
Prince Edward Island        
Both sexes 7,000 6,770 -230 -3.3
Under 25 years 790 760 -30 -3.8
25 to 54 years 4,800 4,490 -310 -6.5
55 years and over 1,410 1,520 110 7.8
Men 4,040 3,950 -90 -2.2
Women 2,960 2,810 -150 -5.1
Nova Scotia        
Both sexes 31,710 31,040 -670 -2.1
Under 25 years 3,420 3,050 -370 -10.8
25 to 54 years 22,410 21,390 -1,020 -4.6
55 years and over 5,880 6,600 720 12.2
Men 18,440 17,420 -1,020 -5.5
Women 13,270 13,620 350 2.6
New Brunswick        
Both sexes 33,550 32,470 -1,080 -3.2
Under 25 years 3,070 2,790 -280 -9.1
25 to 54 years 23,580 22,180 -1,400 -5.9
55 years and over 6,910 7,510 600 8.7
Men 18,520 17,440 -1,080 -5.8
Women 15,030 15,030 0 0.0
Quebec        
Both sexes 185,100 172,200 -12,900 -7.0
Under 25 years 18,770 15,380 -3,390 -18.1
25 to 54 years 131,010 119,520 -11,490 -8.8
55 years and over 35,320 37,300 1,980 5.6
Men 104,840 94,970 -9,870 -9.4
Women 80,270 77,230 -3,040 -3.8
Ontario        
Both sexes 278,900 217,230 -61,670 -22.1
Under 25 years 23,690 15,760 -7,930 -33.5
25 to 54 years 210,050 159,050 -51,000 -24.3
55 years and over 45,160 42,420 -2,740 -6.1
Men 154,010 109,880 -44,130 -28.7
Women 124,890 107,350 -17,540 -14.0
preliminary
Note(s):
The number of beneficiaries receiving regular benefits excludes claimants receiving training, job creation and self-employment benefits as well as other employment and support measures benefits.

Table 3

Beneficiaries receiving regular benefits by age group, sex, province and territory
  July 2009 July 2010p July 2009 to July 2010 July 2009 to July 2010
  Unadjusted for seasonality
  number change in number % change
Manitoba        
Both sexes 16,910 16,580 -330 -2.0
Under 25 years 1,630 1,440 -190 -11.7
25 to 54 years 12,580 12,090 -490 -3.9
55 years and over 2,700 3,060 360 13.3
Men 8,680 8,260 -420 -4.8
Women 8,240 8,330 90 1.1
Saskatchewan        
Both sexes 15,360 14,010 -1,350 -8.8
Under 25 years 1,620 1,150 -470 -29.0
25 to 54 years 11,160 10,230 -930 -8.3
55 years and over 2,580 2,630 50 1.9
Men 7,540 6,360 -1,180 -15.6
Women 7,830 7,650 -180 -2.3
Alberta        
Both sexes 66,910 50,170 -16,740 -25.0
Under 25 years 8,570 4,600 -3,970 -46.3
25 to 54 years 49,180 36,290 -12,890 -26.2
55 years and over 9,160 9,290 130 1.4
Men 42,330 27,380 -14,950 -35.3
Women 24,580 22,800 -1,780 -7.2
British Columbia        
Both sexes 89,190 79,360 -9,830 -11.0
Under 25 years 10,270 7,490 -2,780 -27.1
25 to 54 years 64,430 56,630 -7,800 -12.1
55 years and over 14,480 15,240 760 5.2
Men 53,820 43,950 -9,870 -18.3
Women 35,370 35,410 40 0.1
Yukon        
Both sexes 760 680 -80 -10.5
Under 25 years 80 70 -10 -12.5
25 to 54 years 520 470 -50 -9.6
55 years and over 150 150 0 0.0
Men 480 390 -90 -18.8
Women 280 290 10 3.6
Northwest Territories        
Both sexes 850 780 -70 -8.2
Under 25 years 100 80 -20 -20.0
25 to 54 years 650 590 -60 -9.2
55 years and over 100 110 10 10.0
Men 500 420 -80 -16.0
Women 350 370 20 5.7
Nunavut        
Both sexes 520 540 20 3.8
Under 25 years 70 40 -30 -42.9
25 to 54 years 410 450 40 9.8
55 years and over 50 50 0 0.0
Men 330 330 0 0.0
Women 190 210 20 10.5
preliminary
Note(s):
The number of beneficiaries receiving regular benefits excludes claimants receiving training, job creation and self-employment benefits as well as other employment and support measures benefits.

Table 4

Beneficiaries receiving regular benefits by census metropolitan areas
  July 2009 July 2010p July 2009 to July 2010 July 2009 to July 2010
  Unadjusted for seasonality
  number change in number % change
Newfoundland and Labrador        
St. John's 5,510 5,050 -460 -8.3
Nova Scotia        
Halifax 6,800 6,250 -550 -8.1
New Brunswick        
Saint John 2,770 3,130 360 13.0
Quebec        
Saguenay 4,710 4,150 -560 -11.9
Québec 11,390 11,450 60 0.5
Sherbrooke 3,660 3,080 -580 -15.8
Trois-Rivières 3,800 3,760 -40 -1.1
Montréal 74,310 70,320 -3,990 -5.4
Ottawa–Gatineau, Gatineau part 3,990 4,160 170 4.3
Ontario        
Ottawa–Gatineau, Ottawa part 9,680 9,880 200 2.1
Kingston 2,240 2,090 -150 -6.7
Oshawa 7,860 6,130 -1,730 -22.0
Toronto 109,670 86,650 -23,020 -21.0
Hamilton 14,260 10,600 -3,660 -25.7
St. Catharines–Niagara 10,030 8,120 -1,910 -19.0
Kitchener–Cambridge–Waterloo 12,050 7,410 -4,640 -38.5
London 11,500 7,840 -3,660 -31.8
Windsor 10,950 6,610 -4,340 -39.6
Greater Sudbury 5,800 4,300 -1,500 -25.9
Thunder Bay 2,740 2,360 -380 -13.9
Manitoba        
Winnipeg 8,520 8,880 360 4.2
Saskatchewan        
Regina 1,810 1,790 -20 -1.1
Saskatoon 2,930 3,060 130 4.4
Alberta        
Calgary 21,470 15,180 -6,290 -29.3
Edmonton 18,750 15,260 -3,490 -18.6
British Columbia        
Abbotsford–Mission 3,360 3,180 -180 -5.4
Vancouver 37,810 35,270 -2,540 -6.7
Victoria 4,330 3,730 -600 -13.9
preliminary
Note(s):
The number of beneficiaries receiving regular benefits excludes claimants receiving training, job creation and self-employment benefits as well as other employment and support measures benefits.