Employment Insurance Recipients in Canada: March 2025 Data by Region and Demographic

The number of Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits was 496,720 in March 2025, an increase of 0.3% from February, according to Statistics Canada. Compared to March 2024, the number of EI recipients rose by 6.0%.

Statistics Canada reports that EI data for March cover those who received regular benefits during the week of March 9 to 15, 2025. The figures reflect changes in claimant status, such as people becoming eligible, returning to work, exhausting benefits, or no longer qualifying for assistance.

By province, Ontario had 164,800 EI recipients in March 2025, a 1.1% increase from February and a 12.8% rise over the year—the largest annual change among provinces. Alberta reported 57,710 recipients, increasing 1.7% from February and 8.2% year-over-year. Quebec's count was 110,220, up 0.5% for the month and 3.2% for the year. British Columbia recorded 49,950 EI recipients, up 0.5% monthly and 4.8% annually.

Nova Scotia reported 21,930 EI recipients in March, an increase of 0.5% from February and 1.5% from March 2024. New Brunswick had 24,780 recipients, down 1.1% for the month but up 1.8% annually. Newfoundland and Labrador had 27,820 EI recipients, decreasing 0.4% from February and 2.1% from a year earlier. Prince Edward Island recorded 7,110 recipients, a decrease of 0.3% from February and an increase of 0.3% year-over-year. In Manitoba, there were 16,580 recipients, down 0.4% for the month and 1.0% for the year. Saskatchewan had 14,240 recipients, down 1.3% monthly and 2.0% compared to March 2024.

In the territories, Yukon reported 530 EI recipients in March, a decrease of 5.4% from February and 11.7% from the previous year. The Northwest Territories had 570 recipients, up 3.6% for the month but down 10.9% year-over-year. Nunavut recorded 360 recipients, down 2.7% from February and 14.3% from March 2024.

By age group, Statistics Canada stated that the number of EI recipients aged 15 to 24 rose by 1.8% in March and by 5.1% since December 2024. Over the year, core-aged men (25-54) receiving benefits increased by 7.7% (+14,000), and core-aged women by 5.5% (+6,300). Among those aged 55 and older, men were up 4.9% (+3,900) and women 6.6% (+3,100). The number of young men receiving benefits rose 2.9% year-over-year, while the number for young women remained stable.

Across most occupational groups, the number of EI recipients increased year-over-year. The largest annual increase was among people last employed in business, finance, and administration occupations, up 10.8% (+6,000). Other increases occurred in natural and applied sciences (+13.1%; +4,400), trades, transport and equipment operators (+2.9%; +4,700), and sales and service occupations (+5.7%; +4,300).

Statistics Canada advises that all figures are seasonally adjusted and may be subject to revision. The next release of EI data, covering April 2025, is scheduled for June 19, 2025.