EI beneficiaries down in B.C. & across Canada

Apr 21, 2022 | 2:45 PM

The number of Canadians and British Columbians accessing employment insurance (EI) declined significantly in February.

Statistics Canada reports that approximately 564,690 Canadians received EI benefits that month, down 10.8 per cent from January.

That figure is also down 64.4 per cent from the same month in 2021.

The number also represents the ninth consecutive month of decline in the amount of Canadians accessing EI benefits.

The drop in February was largely sparked by the number of regular EI recipients falling in nine provinces since the previous month, led by Quebec (down 16.6 per cent monthly), Ontario (down 13.8 per cent), and British Columbia (down 7.6 per cent).

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It was noted that 52,970 British Columbians accessed EI benefits in February, which, along with being down 7.6 per cent on a month-to-month basis, reflects a decrease of 67.4 per cent since February of 2021.

The EI beneficiary figures in B.C. fell for every age group in February.

15 to 24 Years (5,710) : -12.8 per cent monthly, -73.6 per cent annually
25 to 54 Years (33,030): -7.9 per cent monthly, -66.9 per cent annually
55 and over (14,240): -4.5 per cent monthly, -65.5 per cent annually

As a whole, Canada reported declines in all age demographics accessing EI as well.

15 to 24 Years (72,140): -15 per cent monthly, -72.2 per cent annually
25 to 54 Years (330,210): -11.2 per cent monthly, -64.5 per cent annually
55 and over (162,340): -7.9 per cent monthly, -59.1 per cent annually

StatsCan did not include a break down for the age groups on a gender basis, but did state the number of men in B.C. accessing EI fell eight per cent monthly and 64.8 per cent annually, while the number of women accessing benefits fell seven per cent monthly and 70.1 per cent annually.

Figures for Vernon were not included in the report by Statistics Canada, though there were figures from the Kelowna area.

StatsCan reports there were 2,600 EI beneficiaries in the Kelowna metropolitan census area in February. That reflects an 8.8 per cent decrease since January and a 62.9 per cent decline since February 2021.

by Liam Verster

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