The number of Canadians receiving Employment Insurance benefits increased again in July, continuing a steady upward trend that highlights pressure points in the labour market.
552,000 people collected benefits in July, an increase of 6,600, or 1.2 percent, compared with June. Since December 2024, the number of recipients has grown by 64,000, representing a 13.2 percent increase. Year over year, the total was up 12.8 percent.
Much of the increase is being driven by core-aged women. The number of women between the ages of 25 and 54 receiving regular EI benefits rose by 16,000 in July alone, a monthly gain of 12 per cent. Compared with a year earlier, their numbers were up by nearly 23 per cent. Core-aged men, by contrast, recorded a decline of 5,200 beneficiaries from June, although they remain 10 per cent higher than last July. Older women also showed notable growth over the past year, up 14.1 per cent, even as their July numbers fell.
Regional differences remain marked. Manitoba posted the sharpest monthly increase in July at 3.8 per cent, the province’s fourth straight monthly rise. British Columbia followed with a three per cent increase, while Quebec added 2,800 recipients, largely in the Montréal area. Alberta’s beneficiary rolls grew by 1.9 per cent, continuing a steady trend that has left the province 12 per cent higher than in January. On a year-over-year basis, Quebec recorded the largest provincial increase at 19.2 per cent, followed by British Columbia, Ontario and Alberta.
The shift is also evident across sectors. Canadians who last worked in education, law, social, community and government services accounted for the largest increase in July, up 27.6 per cent, or 15,000 beneficiaries. Year over year, that group has grown by nearly one third. Significant gains were also seen among people with previous employment in business, finance and administration, as well as in sales and service. At the same time, the number of recipients who had last worked in trades, transport and equipment operations declined.
While EI usage reflects a variety of factors, including seasonal employment and the timing of benefits, the consistent growth since late last year suggests persistent challenges for certain groups. Women in their prime working years and those tied to public service and education are particularly affected.