There were again fewer of us on the pogey in March, according to figures released this morning by Statistics Canada.
The agency says the number of people receiving regular Employment Insurance claims declined for the fifth consecutive month in March, dropping 1% to 523,700.
All four Western provinces, including Newfoundland and Labrador, had fewer claimants in March, Statistics Canada said.
To receive EI benefits, individuals must first submit a claim and the number of claims provides an indication of the number of people who could become beneficiaries.
The number of initial and renewal claims rose by 6,800, or 3%, to 230,700 in March, partly offsetting a decline observed the previous month.
After peaking at just over 850,000 people in 2009, the number of EI claimants has declined steadily ever since.
