The number of Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits remained flat in August at 552,000, marking the second consecutive month of stability after a sharp 12.3 per cent increase in the first half of 2025. The plateau comes as Canada’s unemployment rate climbed from 6.6 per cent in January to 7.1 per cent in August, according to Statistics Canada data released this week.
The 60,000-person increase in EI beneficiaries over the first six months of the year signals a significant shift in the labour market that HR leaders and workforce planners are now monitoring closely. August’s minimal change of just 500 recipients suggests the surge may be levelling off.
Gender divide emerges in August data
Core-aged women between 25 and 54 saw a 5 per cent drop in EI recipients in August, with 7,600 fewer beneficiaries. This partly reversed gains made in July. Meanwhile, core-aged men in the same age bracket increased 2.7 per cent, adding 5,700 recipients, and men aged 55 and older rose 2.1 per cent with 1,800 additional beneficiaries.
Over the 12 months ending in August, core-aged women posted the largest proportional increase at 20.3 per cent, adding 24,000 recipients. Core-aged men increased 8.8 per cent, adding 17,000 beneficiaries.
Alberta leads provincial increases
Six provinces recorded increases in regular EI recipients in August. Alberta posted the largest proportional gain at 3.2 per cent, adding 2,000 beneficiaries, followed by Prince Edward Island at 3.1 per cent and Manitoba at 2.6 per cent.
Quebec saw a 1.2 per cent decrease with 1,600 fewer beneficiaries, while Ontario declined 0.9 per cent with 1,700 fewer recipients.
Year-over-year comparisons show Alberta with the steepest increase at 18.2 per cent, adding 9,900 beneficiaries, followed by British Columbia at 17.4 per cent with 8,400 additional recipients. Ontario and Quebec recorded year-over-year increases of 13.2 per cent and 12.1 per cent respectively.
The Toronto census metropolitan area saw a 17 per cent year-over-year increase, adding 11,000 recipients. Montreal posted a 19.8 per cent increase, adding 9,500 beneficiaries.
Occupational patterns shift
Workers who last held positions in education, law and social, community and government services accounted for the largest decline in August, down 6.7 per cent or 4,600 beneficiaries. This partially offset gains from July.
Trades, transport and equipment operators saw the largest August increase at 1.7 per cent, adding 3,000 beneficiaries. Sales and service occupations rose 2 per cent, adding 1,800 recipients.
Over the past year, business, finance and administration occupations recorded the most significant increase at 23.4 per cent, adding 14,000 beneficiaries. Education, law and social services rose 24.4 per cent year-over-year, adding 12,000 recipients, while sales and service occupations increased 13.9 per cent with 11,000 additional beneficiaries.
