EI claims rose 18.6 per cent in February: StatsCan

More than 600,000 Canadians filed for EI benefits in February. That's the highest number of recipients since 1997 and the sixth straight monthly rise.

CTV Calgary: Lane Fraser reports on Alberta's growing EI numbers

EI numbers in Alberta are way up.

CTV Newsnet: BNN's Amanda Lang on the claims

According to Statistics Canada, the actual number of people who received regular EI benefits increased by 7.8 percent in February from the month before.

Question period: Liberal Leader Michael Ignatieff questions the PM on EI eligibility

The Liberal leader asked the prime minister what new measures the government will enact to help unemployed people in Canada. The government says it has already taken many measures to improve the system and will continue to do 'whatever is necessary.'

Question period: NDP Leader Jack Layton questions the government about unemployment

The NDP leader says the House adopted an NDP motion to improve the EI qualification system, but the government hasn't enacted any measures. The PM says some factors related to severance create discrepancies over EI and unemployment, but 80 per cent of those without work access EI.

CTV Newsnet: Biggest rise in Alberta, B.C. and Ont.

In total, 325,700 new Employment Insurance claims were filed in February, an increase of 51,000 from January.

Watch: See all Videos in the Player

A A | Email This Email | Print | Comments (50) Tweet

CTV.ca News Staff

Date: Tue. Apr. 28 2009 2:45 PM ET

More Canadians filed for Employment Insurance in February than any month since Statistics Canada first began compiling comparable data back in 1997, the agency said Tuesday.

In total, 325,700 new claims were filed, an increase of 51,000 (18.6 per cent) from January.

In its report, Statistics Canada said the actual number of people who received regular EI benefits increased by 44, 300 (7.8 per cent) to 610,200 in February from the month before.

Since October, when unemployment began to slide, the number of regular EI beneficiaries has climbed 21.8 per cent.

"In recent months, labour market conditions in Canada have deteriorated significantly," the report said.

"Through the early part of 2008, employment slowed, and since October has fallen sharply."

The report said the number of regular EI beneficiaries has increased in almost all provinces and territories across Canada.

The biggest percentage gains were in Alberta, British Columbia and Ontario.

In Alberta, the number of regular beneficiaries jumped by 27.3 per cent in February to 30,600 while B.C. saw an 11.6 per cent jump to 63,700.

In Ontario, the 7.8 per cent jump brought the number of EI beneficiaries to 198,900.

Between February 2008 and February 2009, there was a larger increase of men (36.7 per cent) compared with women (20.6 per cent) that received EI.

Canadian employers slashed 82,600 jobs in February, pushing the unemployment rate up to 7.7 per cent.

In March, the Canadian economy lost another 61,300 full-time jobs, sending the unemployment rate up to 8 per cent -- the highest in seven years.

In Parliament on Tuesday, Liberal Leader Michael Igantieff said the current EI system is failing Canadians who are losing their jobs.

Ignatieff said that in February, applications for EI shot up by almost 19 per cent, yet the number of unemployed actually receiving benefits rose by only eight per cent.

"What steps will the prime minister (take) to ensure that these laid-off workers get the help that they're entitled to?" asked Igantieff.

But Prime Minister Stephen Harper told Ignatieff to "be careful" about using month-by-month statistics because they do not paint an accurate picture.

Harper added that the government has already extended EI benefits and improved retraining programs so Canadians will be ready for new jobs when the economy recovers.

Comments are now closed for this story

JK
said

Today I just found out that 1 year of collecting maximum Ei, is more than most people put into the Ei system in their life.
Strange how I thought it was different.

Red X
said

Bush Jr. is a Republican. Under he watch Banks regulation were loosened. He had Enron people working for him and advising him.

The sub prime mortgages proliferated because the Banks lent to people who were risky. The Banks are getting the bailout the people the tab.

Side note: is China going to be the new scapegoat?

GB
said

I lost my job with Shell Canada (Oilsands) yesterday! So-called laid off because of the so-called economy. Not even given a chance. They will let go of locals in favour to keep on their buddies, ex-pats, "hot-shots", etc... who's 1st class tickets to fly them home on turnaround for the year cost more than my annual salary! These guys don't even contribute, but still they are kept on, cashing in on their tenure years, to our downfall.
Just recently Forbes rated Shell (globally) as the world's 2nd biggest company. Every year these huge oil companies boast of their record profits while the CEOs go laughing all the way to the bank. Then they make statements like "our people are our bigget asset". That's bull!! The world's 2nd biggest company letting people go for peanuts, as if my measily salary is going to break their bank?? Shocking!!
They don't care about you, you are just a number, just like I'm a number now in the EI system. I'll never get money from them, they will stall and stall....
The best thing for us to do is to support our local companies, grow them to be successful. Ask them to give us a chance. Employ your own, please!

Marcia
said

MD
Unfortunately, the Government does not care! They have money to make end meet AND SOME! I have been unemployed since 2007, and cannot get a job at a minimum wage occupation(I am over-qualified), and cannot collect welfare, cannot go back to school because I have no income, and cannot afford the classes. I cannot even claim bankruptcy because it will cost me $1500.00 for the 9 months! What am I doing? Looking for work anywhere that I can walk because I cannot afford the gas or insurance for my car(that is aging). I want to see the Government in our shoes! To starve like we are! I worked for two months at a discount store at Christmas, and got laid off, but never qualified for E.I. I did not have enough hours in! I HAVE to live with family now!

The E.I. stats are only for people that can claim it......what about the people like myself, that cannot collect??? The Government does not care.....they sent my letter requesting help to everyone else....."pass the buck" eh?

Edmonton Jim
said

It's sad to think that by playing political games last fall instead of creating fiscal stimulas, this government has contributed to such an untimely decline in National employment.!

Mike
said

So when you cut through all the numbers spin crap the actual unemployment figure is still right around 8 percent. Why do news people like yourselves choose to throw numbers like "18 percent increase" out there to sensationalize instead of reporting facts.

Linda in Vancouver
said

I wonder if those who use EVERY news item to spin their political partisanship ever really understand how their credibility is next to zero simply because they have revealed their bias so frequently.The same Harper haters show up almost every day and whine about his policies,and how he will be held responsible if it rains tomorrow.Trust me,almost everyone who can read fully understands how easy it is to spin a story.
Trust me.Harper woud govern if the opposition would let him.I was glad he was kept to a minority in the last election.But,given the folly of the opposition, I hope he gets a majority the next time.I am haunted by the words of Dosanjh,who proudly said on election night,"we will not co-operate with this government in any way".I think that's the first election promise the Liberals have kept in years.
The fact is,we had an election,and,whether you like the rsults or not,it IS THE DUTY of all MP's to help get the people of Canada through this recession.And it IS THE DUTY of all MP's to put country before party and do all that they can to help the government govern for all of us.
What is truely pathetic,is an opposition that is actually HOPING and PRAYING that this economy will fail just so they can pin it on Harper,and find a road back to socialist power.
And finally,I would thank those who serve in our military.Unlike Roger T,I believe there is no finer calling for those with the courage to stand up for something.I get the clear impression Roger T is all about Roger T,and that nothing is worth risking his life over.I stand for his right to do so,but I feel sorry for him too.

Mary Clarke
said

If Ignatieff was so concerned,he could easily have asked for an amendment to the budget on E.I. reform before voting for it.-But,of course he didn't. He does nothing but critisise. That $54 BILLION that the Libs diverted from the workers E.I. fund,to claim a "pseudo" surplus,would have looked good about now.

B. Kelley, Ontario
said

To:Concerned Canadian
Yes, Bush was a leftist. The truth is that all parties in Canada and the U.S. lean to the left. Its only a matter of how far. The so-called Neo-Cons are really just the old Libs while the Neo-Libs are now the old NDP. There are very few responsible conservatives left anywhere. Why did the banks in the US fail? Simply put, the socialist ideal that everyone should be able to have what they want when they want it regardless of effort or income (sub-prime mortgages as an example) resulted in entirely too much high risk debt that the economy could not support. That was another Clinton/Bush intervention. Obama is making matters worse by applying yet another disastrous socialist theory that you can make the poor rich by making the rich poor. Stay tuned for the impending disaster.

Rob
said

B. Kelley, Ontario
You are right that the PM was bullied into Bailouts by the opposition threat of a Coup...but I do not think it will be to hard for us to make up the spending once we are back on track.
If we had a Conservative majority, we would be in a far better position to recover; we would not have to pay back so much in bailouts...but we make so many raw materials for the world (oil near the top of the list), we will be fine, and one of the first countries back on track. Time heals all...even recessions..

Roger T
said

A soldier
Join the military. They are hiring right now for over 100 different professions!

$52K after 4 years....

Is your life worth $52K a year? or will you even see it before your 4 yrs terms.

Jared in Courtenay
said

The recent attention of swine flu to the fact that we import 13,000 immigrant workers to farms because no one else will do the job tells me that the first 13,000 of those folks asking for benefits didn't look that hard for a job.

island girl
said

To BW in Edmonton
"If you can afford the grades.." What did you do? Buy your credential? Healthcare is a good field but not everyone is cut out for it. We need people who are cut out for it, not people who are in it for the money. They don't last anyway.

Mar
said

I agree with BW in Edmonton, there are lots of professions in desperate need of people, and often this is increasing as many people are retiring. Health care is one, education is another. Or any type of elderly facility, the need for care for the elderly will only increase as the baby-boomers grow older. Any of those are a great profession with jobs available now and even more to come afterwards. For aides often the education requirement is lower and does not take much time, you could be working in that profession within the year.

EI is an insurance fund that we all put into, I hope I never have to use it, but we do need some stipulations on it and although it may not seem fair that there are minimum work requirements, there is not enough money in the EI fund to support all part time jobs that may be lost. Saving as much money of your own as your salary allows so you have some set aside in times of trouble is the best bet, the government can't be relied on to always provide that cushion when things go bad.

Tony
said

Mel, it's bigger than that: it's about gaining capital, competition, and a business model. A "Made in Canada" brand is great but many have fallen because of aggressive competition (and marketing) from American, European, and Asian brands. Also, these countries have used local and overseas factories. We've had "Made in Canada" but got bought out by more powerful competitors.

Just being a country of ONLY manufacturers makes us too dependent on others. We must learn to lead and compete!

BW in Edmonton
said

Just some tips! Go look into going for health care position. I know that it might be another expense for now (paying tuition etc) but it will be worth it later. Right now, I am working a minimum of 40 hours and mostly about 50 hours/week. Some examples to look for health care aides, pharmacy technicians, etc. If you can afford the grades and tuition money, go for nursing school, pharmacy school.

A soldier
said

Join the military. They are hiring right now for over 100 different professions!

$52K after 4 years.

still waiting
said

I applied for EI in February and it is almost May and I still have not seen a dime from them.

Bob
said

I have been out of work since Jan 15th and no EI yet. Can't speak to a real person on the phone. Certianly would be nice to get an answer on claim

Tom
said

@ TD
Isn't it the purpose of EI?
You pay your earned money out of your salary each month
for decades and then when market strikes you use a bit out of this huge fund. Why should I feel guilty or work for min. wage? We aren�t robots, due all respect to robots.

Albertan
said

The Alberta government predicted a loss of 15,000 jobs this year. After only four months, the unemployed number 30,600. Talk about having one's proverbial head in the sand.

CYL
said

And... there'll be more. The problem with EI is the limits to it when needed and what one has to endure just to get it, but the govt does not hesitate to bleed it out of the meager income.

MAL
said

For TD

Your elitism makes the 600,000 wish for you to join them. Nobody is turning down work... there are NO full time minimum wage jobs where you can work extra hours... the jobs are 10-20 hours / week if lucky. People are working below minimum wage, unpaid overtime, anything to feed the family and someone like you yapping from on high just shows the lack of class of many, many people.

Maria-Toronto
said

STEVE G...thank you for your unselfish comment.
I will be out of a job as of November (Co. closing down due to economy) I hope I do not have to resort to EI...that is just not enough money for mortgage, bills, food, car maintenance etc etc etc. I'm already looking around to see what jobs are out there but it is not very encouraging. Plus some of the better paying positions require that you have what appears to be the brain of Einsten and an endless amount of degrees...we'll see what happens.

Larry I Ontario
said

Mr. HArper said two weeks before the election that our economy is doing great. This was a clear lie as you can see from the unemployment numbers. We need to spend money on our roads and highways which will bring thousands of jobs to Canadians. While Mr. harper last week was handing out millions to other countries he is ignoring our serious unemployment. We need to hold Harper accountable for lieing and spend our money foolishly. Iggy, call an election now so we can get the Liberals back to saving our economy!!!!!!!

Dave, Ottawa
said

Wouldn't we all be better off if, instead of paying EI premiums, we simply put the same abount of money into high-interest savings accounts? That way, WE could determine the best way to use the money, not our nanny-state government.

MP
said

Add me to the list of those in line for EI...lost my job last week. I'm hoping that with a few interviews already lined up, I won't need EI.

Concerned Canadian
said

B. Kelly

Thanks for your interesting observations. I agree with you that things will probably get worse: you can't reverse 8 years of bad fiscal management in just 100 days. But I do have a few questions:

You say that "we can't spend our way out of a recession."

You could be right, but didn't Hoover practice exactly the same philosophy in 1930? Didn't he refuse to intercede in the economy, and as a result, the banks failed? And as a result of the ensuing bank failures, didn't the States move from recession to depression?

Should we follow Mr. Hoover's example, do you think?

You claim that "the interventionist lefties got their way, and now we're as bad off as the rest of the world."

But didn't G.W. Bush pass the first stimulus bill? Is he one of those "lefties"?

And isn't Mr. Harper now claiming that in fact Canada is in very good shape? Isn't he taking credit for the budget that those "lefties" forced him into? Or is Mr. Harper wrong?

Do you think it's a good idea for the government to try to stimulate the economy when the free market collapses, or should we let the economy bottom out on its own, regardless of the toll in human suffering?

Can you guarantee that the economy will recover without intervention? Based on what model? Wasn't it free market economics that got us into this position in the first place? If not, then why did banks fail in the States, when the regulated banks here in Canada are doing just fine?

Just a few questions...

Don - Canada can learn & start again
said

In the 1960's 70% of Canadian Trade went south.
Today it is in the high 90's. We are a supplier of raw materials, cars & lumber & until the US economy improves - & with its burgeoning deficits that may be a half decade, Canada will have to accept high unemployment, high taxes, & inflation (possibly wage & price controls) & rely entirely on China & Asia for new growth.
Studying Icelands presently devastated economy should be forced reading for all Canadian Governments including City Hall officials.

Doug BC
said

The 18% is a great number for a news story.But if you have read the entire article you saw the unemployment rate is 7.7%,and 92.3% are still working.This is not great,but it is far from catostrophic.I've been out of work when unemployment rates were 11-12% rate.Not an easy situation,but I took the advice offered by "TD" and just took ANY work I could,that paid anything at all while I continued looking for work in my own trade.Well said "TD".
"Mel" is also right.This is NOT a politically driven recession in Canada.We should ALL be doing all we can to weather this global storm,and,if possible,lend a hand to those we may be able to help out.Whining and crying the blues is total nonsense.We can leave that to the politicians who will surely do enough for all of us.And knowing full well that most of the remedies lie beyond our borders.
"Steve G" has the right attitude about EI.Insurance is alway something many people pay for,but only some collect.It is about helping you in a tough time,NOT about getting back the money you paid in.If you collect if once,for any length of time,you will get back more than you ever paid into the plan.We all pay into it hoping we won't need to use it.And really Jeannne,I think 600 hours of work per year IS a bit skimpy for EI benefits.That's barely over one days work per week.Can we afford to pay EI benefits to all who work 1-2 days per week?
For Canada,and for future Canadians,we should all get creative and find ways to get through this,and resume our debt reduction programs so we will be even better able to manage future recessions.Promote part time work,job sharing,etc,etc.It all help someone,somewhere.

Red X
said

Dear Roger T; Manitoba has a small population and has a consistent NDP gov't.

Harper stalled until Obama was inaugurated. Barack will push for fuel efficient vehicles & insulating homes. Which means less demand for Alberta's Dirty Oil & Natural Gas.

Also, congress added the "buy american" provision. Less trade and Cdn Jobs. The Harper Gov't budget assumptions are out and will be running a $42 billion plus deficit this year...

Jim-Surrey
said

And another result was expected?
All the job loss and job slow downs what did they expect?
If this aren't repaired quickly there will be nobody working to contribute to EI!

And on another note NOBODY should be raising the costs of any services till things level out.
Get the hint Shaw Cable?????

Mario
said

@TD
That's a pretty immature statement. Little story for you. A while back I was out of work and applied for a job at Canadian tire. They loved me but guess what. I never got the job. They said I had to much experience in other fields that I would eventually leave. Maybe you don't have much experience in anything, but Wallmart does not hire skilled tradesman. Neither do gas stations.

LH
said

To the comment for low interest loans: What do you think got the US into the crisis it was in? Low interest loans! Plus, from what I can see, there are many low interest loans out there, many of the banks are at prime plus 1, prime is at 2.25% I think, and I would call 3.25% a low interest loan. If you have good credit you can get these types of loans, having a good credit history is key though. And of course only living within your means.
Also, I thought Harper did extend the time you can collect EI and backdated it so more people would benefit?

canji
said

% means nothing, look at the numbers in Stat Canada. BC and ON are the worsest. BC close to 70000, ON close to 200,000. AB only 25000, the econ is relatively strong here, believe or not.

% is very deceving, but overall in Canada it is not optimistic.

Denis
said

EI pays 55 percent of salary, therefore recession is certain in mass layoff. If the stimulus was spent on increasing EI, recession would be less. This is too complicated for politicians.

Christine
said

This is all a result of too many part time/minumum wage jobs. How can people support a family, home/shelter, purchase necessities as well as incidentals/entertainment to keep the economy going?? It's impossible. This will NOT get better.... Our greed did this. just my humble opinion.

Roger T
said

Arnie from Manitoba
610,200 people were getting EI out of a total working population of what 15 million?....

I don't think it's about the small percentage of EI recipient or unemployment, the Gov't fears social instability which brings crime,riots which is tarnish the country's image. Our country is facing a identity crisis.

Remember our Govt is all about image, they can't even make a decision before the US but waits idle until the very end after the US annouces their decisions.

Red X
said

Dear B. Kelley; I agree it will get worst. Unemployment rate will rise to 10.7%, over 1,700,000 unemployed.

Last fall, Harper's Gov't should have been governing rather than call an Early Election and a Machiavellan Prorogation to avoid the pending Confidence Vote.

The 5 years of Deficits are the Conservative's Budgets that received nothing in writing from the other two.
Historically the Cdn Economy does better under Liberal stewardship...

Thewiseone
said

Just wait till EI starts to run out for all of the people who lost there jobs at the end of last year. We are still shedding jobs with no real end in sight. Even if things get better in early 2010, which is becoming more unlikely, all of these people will have no jobs and no EI.

The government will never be able to fill the gap with its "Stimulus spending".

Factories aren't going to increase production and create jobs until they think there will be a real demand for there products. Stimulus spending can not replace the spending of every day consumers.

The govt should provide low interest loans.. That extra 10-18% interest we all pay on our loans could be fed back into consumer purchases instead of going to credit card companies and banks.

I wish I could pay off my debts with a loan at 0.5%. Hell my bank just raised the interest rate on my LOC from 9-10.5%.

This is an economic problem that needs to be solved from the bottom up.

Steve G
said

Even though I'll probably never have to draw EI, I am happy to pay into it to help my fellow Canadians in need.

Jeanne B.C.
said

I have been working for most of my 58 years and have been paying into EI all those years but because now I don't work 600 hours in a year I cannot collect EI I ask you is this fair? I keep paying and keep paying and they keep stealing. If I was an employer and tried to get something for nothing you can bet I would have the authorities down on me. I would like to see the hours lowered so that it is more fair for all of us. If you are wondering I have been working 25 years for the same company and do only work part time but if I can't collect then I shouldn't have to pay and give my hard earned money to those that can collect. Fair is fair.

B. Kelley, Ontario
said

It will only get worse. PM Harper made a grave mistake by caving into the Libs/NDP and pouring our money into a black hole in the misguided belief that we can spend our way out of this recession. Had we resisted this foolish temptation, Canada would have been no worse off and would have been in a perfect position to experience a phenomenal recovery when things turn around. Unfortunately, the interventionist leftists got their way and now we're just as bad as the rest of the world. Of course, to Liberals the attainment of mediocrity is always a victory.

Margaret
said

While the numbers are staggering and getting worse, I think there needs to be some perspective put onto this. Every spring, there are "lay offs" in the oil patch and the heavy construction industry due to "spring thaw" conditions that make working/moving equipment in those fields impractical. The telling tale will be during the summer months, when the weather improves and how the employment numbers measure up then.

Mel
said

Quit blaming politicans! When you as a consumer walk into any store make a CONCIOUS decision to buy items made in Canada. This week I chose Albertan green house peppers instead of mexican (paid one dollar more) and when buying towels I searched until I found made in Canada. Yes it cost more but I want Canadian to be working. Do the same - and trust me it isn't easy but we all need to say no thanks to made in china

John A.
said

After working for a company for five years, I was let go in March. Every day I browse the job boards and have tried cold calling potential employers, with no luck so far. There aren't any jobs in my field. I applied for EI about a month ago and am still waiting to hear back on whether it was approved.

TD
said

Too many people are just falling back on EI. If you can`t find a job in your field perhaps its time you look at a different field or suck it up and take a min wage position and work extra hours.

Arnie from Manitoba
said

610,200 people were getting EI out of a total working population of what 15 million? But how many were reduced from full to part time and how many stopped seeking employment and how many laid off workers didn't qualify for EI? I think this is just the tip of the iceberg with worse news to come. You can't idly sit back and watch (even encourage) manufacturing jobs walk out of the country for Mexico, India and China and think it's all for the good. The chickens (politicians) have come home to roost and they aren't worth eating.

Peter
said

I wonder how come Manitoba is doing so well? One thing that I'm grateful about is that the Manitoba Gov. isn't bragging about it. Do you think that is a sign of maturity? Kinda makes me wonder what grown up people are like . . . I like it

trying to work it out
said

I hope the government will consider extending the allowable time to be on EI. In some industries there just aren't any jobs right now and all the newly unemployed are more than the economy can absorb. We are trying to move in to an area with more work but in this economy, we've not been able to sell so we're stuck here. So more time is needed than in the past to sell, move, retrain and get rehired.

Related Websites

StatsCan on Employment Insurance

Today's Canada Stories

Missing Winnipeg siblings found in Mexico

More 1

Residents survey the damage caused by a force one tornado in Saint Benoit, Que., Saturday, May 26, 2012. (Ryan Remiorz / THE CANADIAN PRESS)

Tornadoes cause millions in damage in Quebec

More 1

Vincent Massey Park, Ottawa, Ontario, lightning

Ottawa man struck by lightning dies in hospital

Most Viewed News Stories

View More News Stories

Most Talked about Stories

I fail to see just what a minister could learn by an on site visit that he couldn't get from people who are actual experts in the various fields of work involved. It is doubtful that he is any sort of nuclear engineer or expert in construction. Just another photo op...

Pugfire

Environment minister visits stricken Fukushima plant

Got something to say? Share on CTV News

Pick your location

Canada -

News Sections

News Programs

Features

Browse: