Employment Insurance (EI) data reveals a nuanced picture of the Canadian labor market, highlighting the complexities of unemployment and the continued reliance on EI benefits for certain groups.
In November 2024, approximately 482,000 Canadians were receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits, a slight drop from October, but a 3.2% increase compared to the same month last year. This marks a year-over-year rise of 15,000 beneficiaries, with the number of unemployed individuals who had been laid off growing by 16.8%—an additional 80,000 compared to November 2023.
Despite the uptick in recipients, the overall EI picture remains one of fluctuating participation. The number of regular beneficiaries fell by 0.9% in the month, marking a reduction of 4,200 recipients from the previous month. This was a decline from the peak seen in August, when over 495,000 Canadians were relying on EI benefits.
The data also revealed key trends in the age and gender distribution of EI beneficiaries. Notably, the number of recipients dropped among youth aged 15 to 24, especially among young men, which saw a decrease of 1,100 or 2.3% from the previous month. In contrast, older age groups, particularly men and women aged 55 and above, showed a marked increase in the number of EI recipients. The group saw a 6.3% increase, or an additional 7,700 people, receiving regular EI benefits in November 2024.
Similarly, the core-aged demographic (25 to 54 years) saw modest declines, particularly among men. Overall, the number of EI recipients remained stable for other key age groups.
Quebec and Alberta See Declines, Ontario Posts Increase
Regionally, the data showed a mixed picture of EI participation across Canada. Six provinces saw declines in the number of regular EI recipients in November, with Quebec and Alberta experiencing the most significant drops. Quebec recorded a decrease of 3,500 recipients (-3.1%), with core-aged recipients accounting for a large part of the fall. However, on a year-over-year basis, Quebec saw a 2.1% increase, or 2,200 more recipients than the previous November.
In Alberta, the number of EI recipients fell by 1,200, a 2.1% decrease, with men accounting for the majority of this decline. Despite this, Alberta’s year-over-year data showed a slight uptick of 700 recipients (+1.3%). Meanwhile, Ontario stood out as the only province to report an increase in November, with a modest 2,000 more individuals relying on EI benefits (+1.3%). Ontario also recorded the highest year-over-year increase, with 16,000 more beneficiaries in November 2024 compared to the previous year—an increase of 11%.
Occupational Trends Highlight Growing Need in Certain Sectors
On the occupational front, certain sectors saw notable increases in the number of people seeking regular EI benefits. The largest increase was seen in business, finance, and administration occupations, which saw an increase of 4,400 recipients (+7.9%). This was followed by sales and service occupations, which grew by 3,700 (+4.9%), and manufacturing and utilities, which saw a 10.1% increase, or an additional 3,600 individuals claiming EI benefits.
Trades, transport, and equipment operators saw a more modest increase of 2.1%, with 3,400 additional individuals turning to EI benefits. The natural and applied sciences sector also saw a strong uptick, with a 10.2% increase in EI recipients (+3,200), highlighting the ongoing demand for workers in these fields. In contrast, sectors such as arts, culture, recreation, and sport saw a significant drop, with a 21.2% decrease (-3,500), as well as natural resources and agriculture, which saw a decline of 4.5%.