The number of Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI benefits (-1.1%; -6,200) edged down to 544,000 in September, the second consecutive month of slight declines. The number of beneficiaries had trended upwards earlier in 2025, increasing by 66,000 (+13.5%) from January to July, reported Statistics Canada on Thursday.
Data from the Labour Force Survey indicate that the unemployment rate was 7.1% in September, unchanged from August, but up from 6.6% in January 2025, said the federal agency.
“In September, the number of people receiving regular EI benefits fell among core-aged (25 to 54 years old) women (-3.4%; -4,800), core-aged men (-1.2%; -2,500) and young women aged 15 to 24 (-2.3%; -300). These declines were partially offset by an increase among women aged 55 and older (+3.4%; +1,900),” explained Statistics Canada.
“In the 12 months ending in September, there were increases across all major demographic groups, with core-aged women (+18.9%; +22,000) and core-aged men (+8.7%; +17,000) recording the largest increases.”
The report said the decline in the number of recipients with regular EI benefits in September was concentrated in Quebec (-2.8%; -3,600). This was the second consecutive monthly decrease for the province. Notable proportional declines were also recorded for Manitoba (-3.7%; -700) and Newfoundland and Labrador (-1.9%; -500).
On a year-over-year basis, increases in the number of recipients with regular EI benefits were widespread across provinces in September. The largest proportional increase was in British Columbia (+21.7%; +10,000), followed by Alberta (+19.4%; +10,000), Quebec (+12.2%; +14,000) and Ontario (+12.1%; +19,000), it said.
“The number of regular EI recipients in September declined among those who last worked in occupations in education, law and social, community and government services (-1,600; -2.5%). This was the second consecutive monthly decrease, following an upward trend from January 2025 to July. Compared with January 2025, the number of regular EI recipients who last worked in education, law and social, community and government services was up by 11,000 (+21.8%) in September. Among those who last worked in trades, transport and transport operators and related occupations, the proportion of recipients with regular benefits edged down 0.9% (-1,500) in September,” said Statistics Canada.
“In the 12 months ending in September, the number of beneficiaries receiving regular EI benefits was up across most major occupational groups. The largest year-over-year increase was among recipients who last worked in business, finance and administration occupations (+14,000; +23.5%), followed by sales and service occupations (+12,000; +15.4%).”
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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