Employment Insurance (EI) Program statistics
All data is updated weekly and is current as of January 10, 2021.
Week of January 4 first-time beneficiaries
28,050Active beneficiaries
2,115,880Total gross dollars since September 27, 2020
11.56 billionNotes:
- A first time beneficiary is an individual receiving an EI payment for the first time since the COVID emergency benefits began on March 15, 2020 and that has not received any COVID-19 benefits.
- Active beneficiaries are individuals currently receiving EI payments.
- Total gross dollars begins on September 27, 2020 as that was the date the EI program reverted back to its' pre-CERB operations.
Employment Insurance (EI) program | Week starting on January 4, 2020 | Cumulative from September 27, 2020 |
---|---|---|
Registered applications | 162,380 | 3,050,270 |
Processed applications | 162,100 | 2,924,360 |
Claims established (approved applications) | 141,250 | 2,501,360 |
Beneficiaries | Not applicable | 2,645,760 |
Notes for table 1
- A registered application removes unnecessary duplicate requests for EI benefits that some individuals submit. It represents actual requests for EI benefits and initiates the process of determining EI eligibility and entitlement.
- A processed application represents the adjudication of a registered application that results in an initial decision. Every registered application will be adjudicated; however, high volumes can cause a processing backlog where an application registered in one week is not processed until a subsequet week.
- A claim established is a processed application with a decision to pay the claim as it met the criteria of the EI Program. As not all processed applications meet the EI program criteria, the number of claims established will be less than the number of processed applications.
- A beneficiary is someone who receives at least 1 payment. To receive EI payments, a beneficiary must file their bi-weekly report. Each bi-weekly filing enables up to 2 weeks of EI payments in arrears depending on the content of the filing. An individual who never files their bi-weekly report will not receive a payment and therefore will not become a beneficiary. As payments are 2 weeks in arrears, the last completed EI week will never show any beneficiaries.
- This data is operational in nature and will fluctuate over time. In any given week, the number of registered applications and processed applications will not equal each other due to timing and volume.
- Cumulative totals begin on September 27, 2020 as that was the date the EI program reverted back to its' pre-CERB operations and when the new Canada Recovery Benefits started.
- All numbers are rounded to the nearest 10.
EI benefits | Active benefits | Cumulative benefits from September 27, 2020 | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
Beneficiaries | Benefit (millions of dollars) | Beneficiaries | Benefit (millions of dollars) | |
Regular | 1,823,620 | 9,052.38 | 2,051,720 | 9,291.16 |
Sickness | 93,350 | 396.08 | 116,930 | 429.62 |
Fishing | 14,220 | 62.13 | 18,980 | 116.08 |
Maternity and parental | 176,060 | 2,205.87 | 228,510 | 1,226.37 |
Caregiving benefits and leave | 6,540 | 39.86 | 9,340 | 39.89 |
Self employed | 620 | 5.56 | 770 | 3.39 |
Emergency Response Benefit (delivered by Service Canada) - ended | 3,000 | 12.50 | 900,790 | 453.56 |
Total | 2,115,880 | 11,774.39 | 2,645,760 | 11,560.07 |
Notes for table 2
- A beneficiary is someone who receives at least 1 payment.
- Active benefits represent individuals currently receiving EI payments. Their corresponding benefit ($) represent all gross dollars paid over the life of the claim.
- Beneficiaries can move between EI benefits over time. For example, a beneficiary who is on maternity could move to caregiving benefits for the next benefit period to care for a family member. Regardless of which benefit a beneficiary moves to, they are only eligible to receive one EI benefit type in the same period. As a result, beneficiary totals are recalculated to derive a unique count of beneficiaries across all benefits and over time.
- All beneficiary counts are rounded to the nearest 10. Values between 1 and 20 are displayed as 20 to protect the privacy of small populations.
- Benefit ($) represents the gross amount paid, rounded to the nearest thousand. These amounts do not include tax withholds. EI withholds tax at source for all EI benefits except for the emergency response benefit.
Provinces and territories | Under 25 | 25 to 34 years | 35 to 44 years | 45 to 54 years | 55 to 64 years | 65 and Older | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beneficiaries | Percentage | Beneficiaries | Percentage | Beneficiaries | Percentage | Beneficiaries | Percentage | Beneficiaries | Percentage | Beneficiaries | Percentage | Beneficiaries | Percentage | |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 6,840 | 9.6% | 11,980 | 16.9% | 12,040 | 17.0% | 15,180 | 21.4% | 18,450 | 26.0% | 6,400 | 9.0% | 70,890 | 3.4% |
Prince Edward Island | 3,480 | 18.3% | 3,690 | 19.3% | 2,950 | 15.4% | 3,050 | 16.0% | 3,890 | 20.4% | 2,020 | 10.6% | 19,090 | 0.9% |
Nova Scotia | 8,510 | 11.5% | 18,040 | 24.3% | 13,690 | 18.4% | 13,330 | 18.0% | 15,250 | 20.5% | 5,450 | 7.3% | 74,270 | 3.5% |
New Brunswick | 13,270 | 16.1% | 16,030 | 19.4% | 13,830 | 16.7% | 15,030 | 18.2% | 18,460 | 22.4% | 5,970 | 7.2% | 82,580 | 3.9% |
Quebec | 60,490 | 12.2% | 106,700 | 21.6% | 96,420 | 19.5% | 88,540 | 17.9% | 106,660 | 21.6% | 36,010 | 7.3% | 494,820 | 23.4% |
Ontario | 95,630 | 13.2% | 208,220 | 28.7% | 147,100 | 20.3% | 117,090 | 16.1% | 119,020 | 16.4% | 38,420 | 5.3% | 725,470 | 34.3% |
Manitoba | 13,230 | 17.6% | 21,610 | 28.7% | 14,900 | 19.8% | 11,240 | 14.9% | 10,650 | 14.1% | 3,660 | 4.9% | 75,280 | 3.6% |
Saskatchewan | 7,360 | 13.2% | 16,950 | 30.4% | 11,790 | 21.1% | 8,400 | 15.1% | 8,130 | 14.6% | 3,170 | 5.7% | 55,800 | 2.6% |
Alberta | 36,760 | 13.6% | 77,720 | 28.7% | 61,240 | 22.6% | 43,300 | 16.0% | 39,550 | 14.6% | 11,870 | 4.4% | 270,450 | 12.8% |
British Columbia | 27,530 | 11.4% | 66,490 | 27.6% | 51,190 | 21.2% | 39,390 | 16.3% | 41,630 | 17.3% | 14,740 | 6.1% | 240,970 | 11.4% |
Yukon | 230 | 10.0% | 700 | 31.1% | 520 | 23.1% | 320 | 14.0% | 360 | 15.8% | 140 | 6.0% | 2,260 | 0.1% |
Northwest Territories | 240 | 10.2% | 750 | 31.1% | 520 | 21.6% | 410 | 17.1% | 390 | 16.1% | 90 | 3.9% | 2,390 | 0.1% |
Nunavut | 160 | 15.3% | 360 | 34.2% | 240 | 22.4% | 180 | 16.9% | 100 | 9.3% | 20 | 1.9% | 1,050 | 0.0% |
Not applicable | 20 | 3.8% | 210 | 35.5% | 200 | 34.1% | 80 | 13.7% | 60 | 9.5% | 20 | 3.5% | 580 | 0.0% |
Total | 273,750 | 12.9% | 549,420 | 26.0% | 426,620 | 20.2% | 355,550 | 16.8% | 382,580 | 18.1% | 127,980 | 6.0% | 2,115,880 | 100.0% |
Provinces and territories | Under 25 | 25 to 34 years | 35 to 44 years | 45 to 54 years | 55 to 64 years | 65 and Older | Total | |||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Benefit (millions of dollars) | Percentage | Benefit (millions of dollars) | Percentage | Benefit (millions of dollars) | Percentage | Benefit (millions of dollars) | Percentage | Benefit (millions of dollars) | Percentage | Benefit (millions of dollars) | Percentage | Benefit (millions of dollars) | Percentage | |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 35.46 | 9.5% | 72.57 | 19.4% | 64.81 | 17.3% | 72.87 | 19.5% | 93.11 | 24.9% | 34.85 | 9.3% | 373.67 | 3.2% |
Prince Edward Island | 18.76 | 18.8% | 22.67 | 22.7% | 16.07 | 16.1% | 14.22 | 14.2% | 18.33 | 18.3% | 9.92 | 9.9% | 99.97 | 0.8% |
Nova Scotia | 43.59 | 10.6% | 115.56 | 28.1% | 81.19 | 19.8% | 66.35 | 16.2% | 75.51 | 18.4% | 28.54 | 6.9% | 410.73 | 3.5% |
New Brunswick | 73.59 | 17.1% | 98.75 | 22.9% | 72.79 | 16.9% | 68.60 | 15.9% | 86.44 | 20.0% | 30.96 | 7.2% | 431.13 | 3.7% |
Quebec | 262.22 | 12.0% | 456.32 | 20.9% | 413.75 | 19.0% | 387.23 | 17.8% | 478.53 | 21.9% | 182.80 | 8.4% | 2,180.86 | 18.5% |
Ontario | 475.87 | 11.0% | 1,448.46 | 33.4% | 988.72 | 22.8% | 597.19 | 13.8% | 613.46 | 14.2% | 209.75 | 4.8% | 4,333.45 | 36.8% |
Manitoba | 63.52 | 14.8% | 145.65 | 34.0% | 91.76 | 21.4% | 55.34 | 12.9% | 52.54 | 12.3% | 19.68 | 4.6% | 428.49 | 3.6% |
Saskatchewan | 39.62 | 11.3% | 127.29 | 36.4% | 76.51 | 21.9% | 44.75 | 12.8% | 43.63 | 12.5% | 17.65 | 5.1% | 349.45 | 3.0% |
Alberta | 178.59 | 10.8% | 539.65 | 32.8% | 395.26 | 24.0% | 238.64 | 14.5% | 224.76 | 13.6% | 69.79 | 4.2% | 1,646.69 | 14.0% |
British Columbia | 142.85 | 9.7% | 464.18 | 31.4% | 352.13 | 23.8% | 211.52 | 14.3% | 223.44 | 15.1% | 82.97 | 5.6% | 1,477.10 | 12.5% |
Yukon | 1.15 | 8.0% | 4.94 | 34.4% | 3.68 | 25.6% | 1.78 | 12.4% | 2.05 | 14.3% | 0.77 | 5.4% | 14.37 | 0.1% |
Northwest Territories | 1.48 | 9.0% | 5.79 | 35.1% | 3.88 | 23.5% | 2.45 | 14.9% | 2.28 | 13.8% | 0.62 | 3.7% | 16.49 | 0.1% |
Nunavut | 1.11 | 14.4% | 2.96 | 38.3% | 1.79 | 23.2% | 1.18 | 15.2% | 0.60 | 7.7% | 0.09 | 1.1% | 7.72 | 0.1% |
Not applicable | 0.10 | 2.3% | 1.59 | 37.1% | 1.59 | 37.3% | 0.55 | 12.8% | 0.36 | 8.4% | 0.09 | 2.0% | 4.27 | 0.0% |
Total | 1,337.90 | 11.4% | 3,506.36 | 29.8% | 2,563.94 | 21.8% | 1,762.67 | 15.0% | 1,915.04 | 16.3% | 688.47 | 5.8% | 11,774.39 | 100.0% |
Provinces and territories | Female gender | Male gender | Gender diverse | Total | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Beneficiaries | Percentage | Beneficiaries | Percentage | Beneficiaries | Percentage | Beneficiaries | Percentage | |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 29,520 | 41.6% | 41,350 | 58.3% | 20 | 0.0% | 70,890 | 3.4% |
Prince Edward Island | 8,620 | 45.1% | 10,450 | 54.8% | 20 | 0.1% | 19,090 | 0.9% |
Nova Scotia | 34,180 | 46.0% | 40,010 | 53.9% | 80 | 0.1% | 74,270 | 3.5% |
New Brunswick | 37,770 | 45.7% | 44,770 | 54.2% | 40 | 0.0% | 82,580 | 3.9% |
Quebec | 201,710 | 40.8% | 292,860 | 59.2% | 250 | 0.0% | 494,820 | 23.4% |
Ontario | 400,530 | 55.2% | 324,440 | 44.7% | 500 | 0.1% | 725,470 | 34.3% |
Manitoba | 38,520 | 51.2% | 36,690 | 48.7% | 70 | 0.1% | 75,280 | 3.6% |
Saskatchewan | 25,810 | 46.2% | 29,960 | 53.7% | 40 | 0.1% | 55,800 | 2.6% |
Alberta | 133,720 | 49.4% | 136,560 | 50.5% | 170 | 0.1% | 270,450 | 12.8% |
British Columbia | 131,500 | 54.6% | 109,260 | 45.3% | 210 | 0.1% | 240,970 | 11.4% |
Yukon | 1,070 | 47.2% | 1,180 | 51.9% | 20 | 0.9% | 2,270 | 0.1% |
Northwest Territories | 1,030 | 42.5% | 1,370 | 56.7% | 20 | 0.8% | 2,410 | 0.1% |
Nunavut | 510 | 48.5% | 540 | 51.5% | 0.0% | 1,040 | 0.0% | |
Not applicable | 190 | 33.5% | 380 | 66.5% | 0.0% | 570 | 0.0% | |
Total | 1,044,680 | 49.4% | 1,069,820 | 50.6% | 1,430 | 0.1% | 2,115,880 | 100.0% |
Provinces and territories | Female gender | Male gender | Gender diverse | Total | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Benefit (millions of dollars) | Percentage | Benefit (millions of dollars) | Percentage | Benefit (millions of dollars) | Percentage | Benefit (millions of dollars) | Percentage | |
Newfoundland and Labrador | 170.19 | 45.5% | 203.40 | 54.4% | 0.09 | 0.0% | 373.67 | 3.2% |
Prince Edward Island | 49.26 | 49.3% | 50.62 | 50.6% | 0.08 | 0.1% | 99.97 | 0.8% |
Nova Scotia | 209.03 | 50.9% | 201.31 | 49.0% | 0.39 | 0.1% | 410.73 | 3.5% |
New Brunswick | 213.34 | 49.5% | 217.56 | 50.5% | 0.23 | 0.1% | 431.13 | 3.7% |
Quebec | 966.04 | 44.3% | 1,213.69 | 55.7% | 1.13 | 0.1% | 2,180.86 | 18.5% |
Ontario | 2,691.00 | 62.1% | 1,639.83 | 37.8% | 2.62 | 0.1% | 4,333.45 | 36.8% |
Manitoba | 247.01 | 57.6% | 181.12 | 42.3% | 0.35 | 0.1% | 428.49 | 3.6% |
Saskatchewan | 190.73 | 54.6% | 158.52 | 45.4% | 0.20 | 0.1% | 349.45 | 3.0% |
Alberta | 909.72 | 55.2% | 736.09 | 44.7% | 0.88 | 0.1% | 1,646.69 | 14.0% |
British Columbia | 897.80 | 60.8% | 578.15 | 39.1% | 1.15 | 0.1% | 1,477.10 | 12.5% |
Yukon | 7.96 | 55.4% | 6.39 | 44.5% | 0.02 | 0.1% | 14.37 | 0.1% |
Northwest Territories | 8.51 | 51.6% | 7.98 | 48.4% | 0.01 | 0.0% | 16.49 | 0.1% |
Nunavut | 4.36 | 56.4% | 3.36 | 43.6% | 0.0% | 7.72 | 0.1% | |
Not applicable | 1.80 | 42.1% | 2.47 | 57.9% | 0.0% | 4.27 | 0.0% | |
Total | 6,566.74 | 55.8% | 5,200.49 | 44.2% | 7.16 | 0.1% | 11,774.39 | 100.0% |
Notes for table 3, 4, 5, and 6
- A beneficiary is someone who receives at least 1 payment.
- All beneficiary counts are rounded to the nearest 10. Values between 1 and 20 are displayed as 20 to protect the privacy of small populations. Rounding may cause a small difference between the calculated total and the sum of the individual beneficiary cell values.
- Benefit ($) represents the gross amount paid, rounded to the nearest thousand. These amounts do not include tax withhold. EI withholds tax at source for all EI benefits except for the emergency response benefit. Rounding may cause a small difference between the calculated total and the sum of individual benefit ($) cell values.
- The column 'Gender diverse' represents beneficiaries whose gender is either non-binary or not disclosed.
- Province and Territory of 'Not applicable' is used when a beneficiary provides an address outside of Canada. While the EI program requires individuals to reside inside Canada to qualify, some individuals may be currently out of the country on a temporary basis, or working in Canada on a temporary basis. For example:
- a student who is temporarily abroad
- someone temporarily working abroad, or
- temporary worker who has fallen ill but their home address is in another country
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