The number of Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits rose by 8,900 in November to 566,000, a 1.6% increase that marks the first notable change after three months of stability, according to Statistics Canada data released Thursday.
The monthly uptick follows a sharp rise in EI beneficiaries during the first half of 2025, when the number jumped by 66,000—a 13.5% increase from January to July—before levelling off in August, September and October.
Labour Force Survey data show the unemployment rate climbed through most of 2025, peaking at 7.1% in September before dropping to 6.5% in November.
Core-aged and older men drive November increase
The November rise in regular EI recipients was concentrated among core-aged men aged 25 to 54, who accounted for 5,400 of the increase—a 2.5% jump. Men aged 55 and older added another 2,100 beneficiaries, up 2.3%.
Over the 12 months ending in November, total EI recipients climbed by 78,000, a 16.1% increase that affected all major demographic groups. The sharpest year-over-year gains were among women aged 55 and older, up 20.2%, core-aged women, up 19.4%, and core-aged men, up 14.9%.
Ontario and Quebec see monthly gains
Ontario recorded 5,000 additional regular EI beneficiaries in November, a 2.8% increase, while Quebec added 3,500 recipients, also up 2.8%. Both provinces were the only ones to post notable monthly increases.
Within those provinces, the Toronto census metropolitan area saw 2,300 more beneficiaries, up 2.8%, while Montreal added 1,700, a 3.1% increase.
Year-over-year, most provinces recorded increases in November. Alberta led with a 23.7% jump, adding 13,000 beneficiaries. British Columbia was up 21.5% with 10,000 more recipients, Quebec rose 20.4% with 22,000 additional beneficiaries, and Ontario increased 16.9% with 27,000 more.
Trades and transport workers account for largest occupational increase
Recipients who last worked in trades, transport and equipment operators and related occupations accounted for the largest occupational increase in November, adding 5,200 beneficiaries, up 2.9%.
Other notable increases occurred among workers from natural and applied sciences occupations, up 1,700 or 3.8%, natural resources and agriculture, up 1,600 or 4.9%, and manufacturing and utilities, up 1,000 or 2.5%.
The number of recipients who last worked in sales and service occupations declined by 1,000, down 1.1%.
Over the past 12 months, all major occupational groups saw increases in regular EI beneficiaries. Trades, transport and equipment operators led with 17,000 additional recipients, a 10.4% increase. Business, finance and administration added 14,000 beneficiaries, up 23.9%, while sales and service occupations also added 14,000, up 16.9%.
