The number of Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits was virtually unchanged in August, reported Statistics Canada.
The agency reported that the number of regular EI recipients held steady at 552,000, up slightly by 0.1 per cent, or 500 people, marking the second consecutive month of little change. This followed increases of 60,000, or 12.3 per cent, over the first half of 2025.
According to data from the Labour Force Survey, the national unemployment rate rose from 6.6 per cent in January to 7.1 per cent in August.
Statistics Canada said variations in the number of EI beneficiaries can reflect changes in the circumstances of different groups, including new beneficiaries, individuals returning to work, and those who have exhausted or stopped receiving benefits for various reasons.
In August, the number of regular EI recipients decreased among core-aged women aged 25 to 54, down five per cent, or 7,600 people, partly offsetting an increase recorded in July. Meanwhile, the number of beneficiaries rose among core-aged men by 2.7 per cent, or 5,700, and among men aged 55 and older by 2.1 per cent, or 1,800.
Over the 12 months ending in August, increases were recorded across all major demographic groups. The largest proportional gains were among core-aged women, up 20.3 per cent, or 24,000; women aged 55 and older, up 12.3 per cent, or 6,100; and core-aged men, up 8.8 per cent, or 17,000.
The number of recipients with regular EI benefits rose in six provinces in August. Alberta saw the largest proportional increase at 3.2 per cent, or 2,000 people, followed by Prince Edward Island at 3.1 per cent, Manitoba at 2.6 per cent, and Newfoundland and Labrador at 2.5 per cent.
Quebec recorded a decrease of 1.2 per cent, or 1,600 beneficiaries, following increases in June and July. Ontario also saw a slight decline of 0.9 per cent, or 1,700 recipients.
On a year-over-year basis, Statistics Canada said the number of regular EI recipients increased across most provinces. Alberta posted the largest proportional rise at 18.2 per cent, or 9,900 people, followed by British Columbia at 17.4 per cent, or 8,400. Manitoba and Ontario both saw increases of 13.2 per cent, while Quebec recorded a gain of 12.1 per cent.
Toronto experiences an increase
The Toronto census metropolitan area saw a 17 per cent increase, or 11,000 more regular EI recipients, compared with August 2024. The Montréal area recorded a 19.8 per cent increase, or 9,500 people.
By occupation, the largest decrease in August was among those who last worked in education, law, and social, community and government services, down 6.7 per cent, or 4,600 recipients. The largest gains were among those who last worked in trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations, up 1.7 per cent, or 3,000, and in sales and service occupations, up two per cent, or 1,800.
On a year-over-year basis, nearly all major occupational groups saw increases. The largest was among those last employed in business, finance and administration occupations, up 23.4 per cent, or 14,000 people. Notable increases also occurred among those who previously worked in education, law, and social, community and government services, up 24.4 per cent, or 12,000, and in sales and service occupations, up 13.9 per cent, or 11,000.
Mario Toneguzzi
Mario Toneguzzi is Managing Editor of Canada’s Entrepreneur. He has more than 40 years of experience as a daily newspaper writer, columnist, and editor. He was named in 2021 and 2024 as one of the top business journalists in the world by PR News. He was also named by RETHINK to its global list of Top Retail Experts 2024 and 2025.
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