The number of Canadians collecting regular Employment Insurance benefits remained essentially flat in May, declining by just 1,600 people to 517,000 recipients, according to new federal data.
The modest 0.3 per cent drop follows four months of steady increases that saw 32,000 more Canadians join the EI rolls from January through April. Despite May’s pause, year-over-year numbers tell a different story, with 44,000 more people collecting regular benefits compared to May 2024 — a 9.2 per cent jump.
The plateau in new claims comes as Canada’s unemployment rate climbed to 7.0 per cent in May, up 0.7 percentage points from the same month last year, Labour Force Survey data show.
Demographic shifts reveal changing job market pressures
The employment insurance landscape varied significantly across age and gender groups in May. Young workers aged 15 to 24 saw the number of male and female recipients drop by 1.7 per cent, while core-aged men between 25 and 54 also experienced a 1.3 per cent decline in claims.
However, women aged 55 and older bucked the trend, with claims rising 1.9 per cent in May. Over the past year, this older demographic has seen some of the steepest increases, with claims among older women up 10.3 per cent compared to May 2024.
Core-aged men recorded the largest year-over-year jump at 10.8 per cent, adding 19,000 more recipients than the previous May. Core-aged women followed with a 9.2 per cent increase, representing 11,000 additional claimants.
Ontario bucks national trend while western provinces surge
Ontario stood out as the only province to post a notable decrease in EI recipients during May, with claims falling 1.5 per cent or 2,600 people. The drop partially offset a significant April increase of 5,900 recipients in Canada’s most populous province.
Meanwhile, Saskatchewan reversed two months of stagnant numbers with a 1.7 per cent increase in May, adding 300 new recipients. Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island also recorded modest gains.
When measured against last year, Alberta led all provinces with a 15.5 per cent surge in EI recipients, adding 7,900 claimants. British Columbia followed with a 13.5 per cent increase, while Ontario — despite May’s decline — still posted a substantial 12.9 per cent year-over-year jump representing 19,000 additional recipients.
Business and service sectors drive occupational changes
The occupational breakdown reveals which sectors are feeling the most employment pressure. Recipients who last worked in business, finance and administrative roles saw the largest increase in May, with 2,200 more people collecting benefits — a 3.3 per cent rise marking the second consecutive monthly gain.
Sales and service occupations added 1,800 new EI recipients in May, continuing a four-month upward trend in this sector.
Manufacturing and utilities bucked the pattern, shedding 3,100 recipients or 7.5 per cent in May. The decline partially offset strong gains earlier in the year, when these sectors added 5,400 recipients from January through April.
Year-over-year comparisons show business, finance and administration occupations experienced the most dramatic increase, with 12,000 more recipients than May 2024 — a 22 per cent jump. Sales and service occupations followed with 8,600 additional recipients, while trades and transport occupations added 8,300 more claimants compared to the previous year.
