The number of Canadians drawing regular employment insurance benefits continued its downward progress in June, according to figures released Thursday by Statistics Canada.
The agency declared that benefits were applied for by 517,200 Canadians in June, down 7,000, or 1.3%, from May. This was the eighth consecutive monthly decline in the number of beneficiaries.
Statistics Canada also said most provinces had fewer beneficiaries in June, notably Prince Edward Island (down 5.5%) and Alberta (down 3.3%). Decreases were also observed in New Brunswick (down 2%), British Columbia (down 1.9%) and Ontario (down 1.8%). At the same time, Manitoba and Saskatchewan had 0.9% fewer beneficiaries, while Newfoundland and Labrador had 0.9% more. There was little change in Quebec and no change in Nova Scotia.
In the 12 months to June, 37,700 fewer people received benefits in Canada, down 6.8%. Most of the decline was accounted for by Quebec, Ontario and Alberta.
