Statistics Canada Reports Increase in Employment Insurance Recipients in April 2025

Statistics Canada reported that the number of Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits rose by 3.4% to 519,540 in April 2025. The data, released on June 19, shows a 12.7% increase compared to April 2024.

This update highlights changes in EI recipients across provinces and among different demographic and occupational groups. The figures are seasonally adjusted and reflect individuals who received regular EI benefits during the reference week in April. These numbers do not represent the total unemployed population, as not all unemployed persons qualify for or receive EI.

According to Statistics Canada, the largest proportional monthly increases in EI recipients were in Quebec (up 5.5%), British Columbia (5.2%), and Ontario (4.3%). Together, these provinces accounted for 92.8% of the national monthly increase. In Windsor, Ontario, Statistics Canada said the number of EI recipients nearly doubled (up 91.7%) to 10,600, which represented 70.6% of Ontario’s increase that month. Statistics Canada also said the Toronto area saw a 1.9% increase in EI recipients. Smaller monthly increases occurred in Nova Scotia (2.4%), Alberta (2.2%), and Manitoba (1.4%).

Newfoundland and Labrador reported a 2.7% monthly decrease in EI beneficiaries, and Saskatchewan saw a 1.0% decrease in April 2025. Other regions such as Nunavut (0.0%) and Prince Edward Island (-0.6%) reported little change or a slight decrease in recipients.

On a year-over-year basis, Ontario recorded a 19.0% increase in EI recipients, the largest among provinces. Alberta (15.8%), British Columbia (13.9%), and Quebec (11.6%) also reported notable increases. Smaller annual increases occurred in Nova Scotia (6.8%), New Brunswick (6.9%), and Manitoba (2.9%). Newfoundland and Labrador, Yukon, Northwest Territories, and Nunavut all reported annual decreases in EI recipients.

Statistics Canada reported increases in all major demographic groups from March to April 2025. For those aged 25 to 54, men receiving EI rose by 3.3% and women by 5.0%. Among those aged 55 and older, women increased by 3.1% and men by 1.8%. Youth aged 15 to 24 also saw increases: 2.9% for men and 3.1% for women. Compared with April 2024, the largest demographic increases were among men aged 25 to 54 (15.8%) and women in the same age group (11.6%).

By occupation, those who were last employed in business, finance, and administration saw the largest monthly increase (+8.5%). Increases were also noted for those last employed in manufacturing and utilities (+8.1%), trades and transport (+2.0%), and sales and service (+3.4%). On an annual basis, EI recipients rose across all major occupational groups. The largest yearly increases were reported among trades, transport, and equipment operators (12.7%) and business, finance, and administration (18.7%).

Data from the Labour Force Survey indicate that the national unemployment rate in April 2025 was 6.9%, an increase of 0.7 percentage points from April 2024. Statistics Canada noted that EI data only include those who qualify for and receive benefits, which does not account for all unemployed persons in Canada. The next update on EI statistics is scheduled for July 24, 2025.