The number of Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits rose by 6,200 to 553,000 in October, a 1.1% monthly increase, according to Statistics Canada data released Dec. 18.
The October figure caps a relatively flat period from July through October, following a 12.0% surge earlier in the year when beneficiaries increased by 59,000 between January and June.
Year over year, the number of regular EI recipients climbed 13.2% in October compared with the same month in 2024.
Core-aged workers drive monthly gains
Men aged 25 to 54 accounted for most of the October increase, adding 2,400 beneficiaries, or 1.1%. Men aged 55 and older contributed an additional 1,300 recipients, up 1.5%.
Over the 12 months ending in October, core-aged women posted the largest proportional gain at 19.4%, adding 23,000 beneficiaries. Core-aged men increased by 20,000, or 10.2%.
Alberta and New Brunswick lead provincial gains
Seven provinces recorded increases in October, with Alberta adding 2,300 recipients for a 3.5% monthly gain — the largest proportional increase among provinces. New Brunswick followed with 700 new recipients, up 2.6%.
British Columbia posted the steepest year-over-year climb at 22.3%, adding 11,000 beneficiaries. Alberta gained 12,000 recipients (up 21.7%), Ontario added 22,000 (up 14.0%), and Quebec increased by 15,000 (up 13.5%).
Trades and service occupations see largest increases
Recipients who last worked in trades, transport and equipment operator occupations grew by 2,300 in October, a 1.3% increase. Sales and service occupations added 1,400 beneficiaries (up 1.5%), while natural resources, agriculture and related production occupations gained 1,200 (up 4.0%).
On a year-over-year basis, sales and service occupations recorded the largest increase with 14,000 additional beneficiaries, up 17.7%. Business, finance and administration occupations also added 14,000 recipients, a 23.5% gain.
Labour market context
The unemployment rate stood at 6.9% in October, down from 7.1% in September but higher than the 6.6% rate recorded in January 2025, according to the Labour Force Survey.
Employment Insurance statistics measure people who received EI benefits during the week of Oct. 12 to 18 and differ from unemployment figures, which include workers who do not qualify for benefits due to insufficient work hours, voluntary job departures, or employment outside the EI system.
