Recent data from Statistics Canada shows an increase in the number of working-age Canadians receiving unemployment benefits. In June, the number of men aged 25 to 54 receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits rose by nearly 13 percent compared to last year, with a similar trend observed for women in the same age group, which saw a 10.5 percent increase. Overall, 474,000 Canadians received regular EI benefits in June, marking a 10.4 percent increase from the previous year. The rise in beneficiaries was most notable in provinces like Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia.

Canada’s unemployment rate slightly increased to 6.4 percent in June, but remained steady in July. Among core-aged individuals, the unemployment rate decreased slightly in July, marking the first decline for men since August 2023. Regular EI benefits in Canada provide eligible recipients with up to 55 percent of their average insurable weekly earnings for a period ranging from 14 to 45 weeks.