Alberta had the biggest year-over-year decrease among the provinces in February for the number of people receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits, according to a report released on Thursday by Statistics Canada.
“There were 51,600 EI recipients in Alberta in February, an increase of 1.9 per cent (from January). Most of this rise was in the CMAs of Calgary (+2.9 per cent) and Edmonton (+1.1 per cent). This was the third consecutive notable monthly increase in the province. Despite recent increases, Alberta (-15.9 per cent) had the largest year-over-year decrease among the provinces,” said the federal agency.
“In general, variations in the number of beneficiaries can reflect changes in the circumstances of different groups, including those becoming beneficiaries, those going back to work, those exhausting their regular benefits, and those no longer receiving benefits for other reasons.”
StatsCan said 441,200 people received regular EI benefits in February across Canada, an increase of 4,400 or one per cent from January.
Compared with February 2018, the number of EI recipients in Canada was down by 38,400 or eight per cent, with notable year-over-year decreases in eight provinces.
“In February, the number of EI beneficiaries was little changed in six of the 10 broad occupational groups. Among the remaining four groups, the largest percentage increase was observed among those who were last employed in manufacturing and utilities (+4.7 per cent). Smaller increases were observed in trades, transport and equipment operator occupations (+1.6 per cent), as well as in education, law and social, community and government services (+1.6 per cent). At the same time, there was a decline in the number of beneficiaries who last worked in occupations in art, culture, recreation and sport (-1.6 per cent),” it said.
StatsCan said there were 231,900 claims in February, which was essentially unchanged from January. The number of claims provides an indication of the number of people who could become beneficiaries. Claims data pertain to initial and renewal claims received for any type of EI benefits, which includes special benefits, it said.
“Provincially, claims fell in Alberta (-4.3 per cent), Quebec (-3.5 per cent) and Prince Edward Island (-3.1 per cent). Declines were also observed in Saskatchewan (-2.7 per cent), Newfoundland and Labrador (-2.0 per cent) and New Brunswick (-1.8 per cent). At the same time, claims increased in Ontario (+4.4 per cent) and British Columbia (+3.1 per cent), while there was little change in Manitoba and Nova Scotia. Compared with February 2018, the number of claims rose by 3.6 per cent at the national level.”
– Mario Toneguzzi
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