But number of initial and renewal claims rose 3.4 per cent
The number of people receiving regular employment insurance benefits in June continued its downward trend, edging down to 507,600 from 512,100 in May, according to Statistics Canada. The number of beneficiaries declined slightly in Nova Scotia and edged up in Ontario and Prince Edward Island.
To receive EI benefits, individuals must first submit a claim. The number of claims provides an indication of the number of people who could become beneficiaries.
The number of initial and renewal claims rose 3.4 per cent to 231,600 in June, following a similar decline in May. Claims increased in New Brunswick (8.9 per cent), Alberta (8.6 per cent), Quebec (4.6 per cent) and Manitoba (3.3 per cent). Claims fell 4.6 per cent in Prince Edward Island, while there was little change in the other provinces, said Statistics Canada. There was little or no change in the number of beneficiaries in the majority of provinces in June. In Nova Scotia, the number of beneficiaries fell two per cent to 29,400. In Prince Edward Island, the number of people receiving regular benefits rose 3.7 per cent to 8,700, following a 1.8 per cent increase in May. In Ontario, the number edged up 1.3 per cent in June to 150,500, following two months of declines. EI data by sex and age are not seasonally adjusted and are therefore compared on a year-over-year basis. In June, the number of people receiving regular EI benefits fell at a similar rate for men and women in all age groups. The rates of decline ranged between 11.2 per cent and 13.8 per cent, according to Statistics Canada.
