The number of Ontarians receiving EI benefits increased 32 per cent in the past year, according to seasonally adjusted data from Statistics Canada released Thursday.
35,000 more on EI than one year ago
Over 140,000 Ontarians were on EI benefits in December, 2023, almost 35,000 more than one year ago when about 106,000 people were receiving income support from the federal program. In December, 4,900 more Ontarians were receiving EI benefits than the month prior, an increase of 3.6 per cent.
Ontario jobs losses rising
Ontario EI claims over the past year and from the month prior rose by the highest percentage of any Canadian province.
Earlier this month, Statistics Canada’s Labour Force Survey found Ontario had lost 233,000 jobs since July, when the most recent jobs slump took hold. Since July, 329,800 full time Ontario jobs have disappeared. Part time employment is at a historic levels.
Also read: Continued Ontario jobs downturn signals trouble for housing, health care, unions
Driven by Ontario’s rising numbers, EI recipients across Canada increased 14.8 per cent over the past year, and 1.4 per cent from the previous month.
Number of British Columbia EI recipients falls
British Columbia led the country, with the number of EI recipients falling by one per cent between December and the month prior.
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