Employment Insurance (EI) program statistics

All data is updated weekly and is current as of March 19, 2023.

Week of March 13: First-time beneficiaries

5,190

Active beneficiaries

914,650

Total gross benefit dollars since September 27, 2020

80.40 billion
Notes
  • 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 benefit dollars began on September 27, 2020 when the EI program reverted back to pre-CERB operations

On this page

List of tables

Application processing

Table 1: EI application processing
Employment Insurance (EI) program Week starting on March 13, 2023 Cumulative from September 27, 2020
Registered applications 57,640 10,036,220
Processed applications 66,090 9,831,360
Claims established (approved applications) 44,350 7,482,850
Beneficiaries Not applicable 5,427,400
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 is registered in one week is not processed until a subsequent 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 began on September 27, 2020 when the EI program reverted back to pre-CERB operations and the new Canada Recovery Benefits started
  • All numbers are rounded to the nearest 10

EI benefits

Table 2: EI benefits – Number of beneficiaries
EI benefits Active benefits Cumulative benefits from September 27, 2020
Regular 627,380 3,964,320
Sickness 81,480 740,590
Fishing 17,010 27,080
Maternity and parental 182,070 709,870
Caregiving benefits and leave 5,990 53,370
Self employed 740 2,980
Emergency Response Benefit (delivered by Service Canada) - ended 0 901,650
Total 914,650 5,427,400

Notes for table 2

Table 3: EI benefits – Gross benefit dollars (millions)
EI benefits Active benefits Cumulative benefits from September 27, 2020
Regular 3,887.39 61,698.69
Sickness 378.30 4,429.84
Fishing 148.28 987.70
Maternity and parental 2,519.23 12,417.01
Caregiving benefits and leave 36.72 382.60
Self employed 6.80 37.35
Emergency Response Benefit (delivered by Service Canada) - ended 0 450.92
Total 6,976.73 80,404.11
Notes for table 2 and 3
  • A beneficiary is someone who receives at least 1 payment
  • Active benefits represent individuals currently receiving EI payments. The corresponding gross benefit dollars 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 per period. As a result, all values are recalculated every period
  • All values for number of beneficiaries are rounded to the nearest 10
  • Gross benefit dollars (millions) 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

Active beneficiaries by province or territory and age group

Table 4: EI active beneficiaries by province or territory and age group – Number of beneficiaries
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
Newfoundland and Labrador 4,330 8,790 8,990 11,820 16,660 6,390 56,980
Prince Edward Island 1,580 2,950 2,330 2,500 3,300 1,890 14,550
Nova Scotia 3,890 11,100 8,310 7,620 9,540 3,980 44,450
New Brunswick 4,370 10,930 9,480 10,240 13,710 5,100 53,820
Quebec 14,520 45,470 44,440 39,610 49,120 16,990 210,150
Ontario 21,910 105,330 70,970 38,740 40,340 11,200 288,490
Manitoba 3,710 11,050 6,990 3,940 3,980 1,230 30,900
Saskatchewan 2,810 9,560 5,860 3,360 3,540 1,530 26,640
Alberta 8,570 33,560 22,990 11,430 10,650 3,070 90,270
British Columbia 6,700 33,120 24,710 12,530 13,350 4,280 94,690
Yukon 80 400 330 140 160 70 1,170
Northwest Territories 70 320 240 120 100 20 880
Nunavut 70 240 190 90 60 20 670
Not applicable 50 480 340 70 50 20 1,020
Total 72,670 273,300 206,180 142,190 164,560 55,780 914,650

Notes for table 4

Table 5: EI active beneficiaries by province or territory and age group - Percentage of beneficiaries
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
Newfoundland and Labrador 7.6% 15.4% 15.8% 20.7% 29.2% 11.2% 6.2%
Prince Edward Island 10.9% 20.3% 16.0% 17.2% 22.7% 13.0% 1.6%
Nova Scotia 8.7% 25.0% 18.7% 17.1% 21.5% 9.0% 4.9%
New Brunswick 8.1% 20.3% 17.6% 19.0% 25.5% 9.5% 5.9%
Quebec 6.9% 21.6% 21.1% 18.8% 23.4% 8.1% 23.0%
Ontario 7.6% 36.5% 24.6% 13.4% 14.0% 3.9% 31.5%
Manitoba 12.0% 35.8% 22.6% 12.8% 12.9% 4.0% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 10.5% 35.9% 22.0% 12.6% 13.3% 5.7% 2.9%
Alberta 9.5% 37.2% 25.5% 12.7% 11.8% 3.4% 9.9%
British Columbia 7.1% 35.0% 26.1% 13.2% 14.1% 4.5% 10.4%
Yukon 6.5% 33.7% 28.1% 12.1% 13.9% 5.7% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 8.2% 36.5% 27.9% 13.1% 11.8% 2.5% 0.1%
Nunavut 11.0% 35.8% 27.4% 13.9% 8.9% 3.0% 0.1%
Not applicable 5.1% 47.3% 33.4% 7.2% 5.1% 2.0% 0.1%
Total 7.9% 29.9% 22.5% 15.5% 18.0% 6.1% 100.0%

Notes for table 5

Table 6: EI active beneficiaries by province or territory and age group – Gross benefit dollars (millions)
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
Newfoundland and Labrador 30.81 73.58 68.74 84.07 122.56 50.11 429.87
Prince Edward Island 11.58 25.48 18.82 18.30 23.72 13.80 111.69
Nova Scotia 25.31 99.45 68.54 52.56 63.76 27.70 337.31
New Brunswick 28.56 92.73 69.02 66.28 91.26 36.88 384.73
Quebec 70.96 236.33 233.83 210.09 271.23 99.64 1,122.08
Ontario 127.96 1,068.62 694.25 222.63 229.10 63.63 2,406.18
Manitoba 23.63 108.38 65.39 25.65 25.60 8.46 257.11
Saskatchewan 20.19 102.67 57.74 25.51 26.73 11.70 244.54
Alberta 55.92 351.96 231.05 85.17 79.95 22.39 826.43
British Columbia 40.96 338.02 249.30 81.71 85.42 27.40 822.81
Yukon 0.57 4.04 3.43 1.11 1.54 0.53 11.21
Northwest Territories 0.63 3.60 2.88 0.92 0.92 0.17 9.13
Nunavut 0.75 2.79 2.14 1.13 0.57 0.07 7.45
Not applicable 0.26 2.83 2.27 0.42 0.31 0.10 6.19
Total 438.07 2,510.48 1,767.40 875.54 1,022.65 362.58 6,976.73

Notes for table 6

Table 7: EI active beneficiaries by province or territory and age group – Percentage of gross 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
Newfoundland and Labrador 7.2% 17.1% 16.0% 19.6% 28.5% 11.7% 6.2%
Prince Edward Island 10.4% 22.8% 16.8% 16.4% 21.2% 12.4% 1.6%
Nova Scotia 7.5% 29.5% 20.3% 15.6% 18.9% 8.2% 4.8%
New Brunswick 7.4% 24.1% 17.9% 17.2% 23.7% 9.6% 5.5%
Quebec 6.3% 21.1% 20.8% 18.7% 24.2% 8.9% 16.1%
Ontario 5.3% 44.4% 28.9% 9.3% 9.5% 2.6% 34.5%
Manitoba 9.2% 42.2% 25.4% 10.0% 10.0% 3.3% 3.7%
Saskatchewan 8.3% 42.0% 23.6% 10.4% 10.9% 4.8% 3.5%
Alberta 6.8% 42.6% 28.0% 10.3% 9.7% 2.7% 11.8%
British Columbia 5.0% 41.1% 30.3% 9.9% 10.4% 3.3% 11.8%
Yukon 5.1% 36.0% 30.6% 9.9% 13.7% 4.7% 0.2%
Northwest Territories 6.9% 39.5% 31.5% 10.1% 10.1% 1.9% 0.1%
Nunavut 10.0% 37.5% 28.8% 15.1% 7.6% 0.9% 0.1%
Not applicable 4.2% 45.8% 36.7% 6.8% 4.9% 1.6% 0.1%
Total 6.3% 36.0% 25.3% 12.5% 14.7% 5.2% 100.0%

Notes for table 7

Active beneficiaries by province or territory and gender

Table 8: EI active beneficiaries by province or territory and gender – Number of beneficiaries
Provinces and territories Female gender Male gender Gender diverse Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 22,710 34,270 56,980
Prince Edward Island 5,910 8,640 14,550
Nova Scotia 18,480 25,970 44,450
New Brunswick 21,480 32,340 53,820
Quebec 59,900 150,250 210,150
Ontario 152,520 135,960 288,490
Manitoba 14,380 16,520 30,900
Saskatchewan 12,410 14,230 26,640
Alberta 45,460 44,810 90,270
British Columbia 51,830 42,860 94,690
Yukon 570 610 1,170
Northwest Territories 450 430 880
Nunavut 320 340 660
Not applicable 220 800 1,010
Total 406,630 508,020 914,650

Notes for table 8

Table 9: EI active beneficiaries by province or territory and gender - Percentage of beneficiaries
Provinces and territories Female gender Male gender Gender diverse Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 39.9% 60.1% 0.0% 6.2%
Prince Edward Island 40.6% 59.4% 0.0% 1.6%
Nova Scotia 41.6% 58.4% 0.0% 4.9%
New Brunswick 39.9% 60.1% 0.0% 5.9%
Quebec 28.5% 71.5% 0.0% 23.0%
Ontario 52.9% 47.1% 0.0% 31.5%
Manitoba 46.5% 53.5% 0.0% 3.4%
Saskatchewan 46.6% 53.4% 0.0% 2.9%
Alberta 50.4% 49.6% 0.0% 9.9%
British Columbia 54.7% 45.3% 0.0% 10.4%
Yukon 48.3% 51.7% 0.0% 0.1%
Northwest Territories 51.0% 49.0% 0.0% 0.1%
Nunavut 48.6% 51.4% 0.0% 0.1%
Not applicable 21.4% 78.6% 0.0% 0.1%
Total 44.5% 55.5% 0.0% 100.0%

Notes for table 9

Table 10: EI active beneficiaries by province or territory and gender – Gross benefit dollars (millions)
Provinces and territories Female gender Male gender Gender diverse Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 174.51 255.36 429.87
Prince Edward Island 46.98 64.71 111.69
Nova Scotia 154.86 182.45 337.31
New Brunswick 155.81 228.93 384.73
Quebec 308.80 813.28 1,122.08
Ontario 1,584.98 821.20 2,406.18
Manitoba 147.82 109.28 257.11
Saskatchewan 137.60 106.94 244.54
Alberta 510.36 316.08 826.43
British Columbia 546.06 276.75 822.81
Yukon 6.69 4.51 11.21
Northwest Territories 5.62 3.51 9.13
Nunavut 4.21 3.23 7.45
Not applicable 2.24 3.95 6.19
Total 3,786.54 3,190.19 6,976.73

Notes for table 10

Table 11: EI active beneficiaries by province or territory and gender – Percentage of gross benefit
Provinces and territories Female gender Male gender Gender diverse Total
Newfoundland and Labrador 40.6% 59.4% 0.0% 6.2%
Prince Edward Island 42.1% 57.9% 0.0% 1.6%
Nova Scotia 45.9% 54.1% 0.0% 4.8%
New Brunswick 40.5% 59.5% 0.0% 5.5%
Quebec 27.5% 72.5% 0.0% 16.1%
Ontario 65.9% 34.1% 0.0% 34.5%
Manitoba 57.5% 42.5% 0.0% 3.7%
Saskatchewan 56.3% 43.7% 0.0% 3.5%
Alberta 61.8% 38.2% 0.0% 11.8%
British Columbia 66.4% 33.6% 0.0% 11.8%
Yukon 59.7% 40.3% 0.0% 0.2%
Northwest Territories 61.6% 38.4% 0.0% 0.1%
Nunavut 56.6% 43.4% 0.0% 0.1%
Not applicable 36.2% 63.8% 0.0% 0.1%
Total 54.3% 45.7% 0.0% 100.0%

Notes for tables 4 to 11 inclusively

  • A beneficiary is someone who receives at least 1 payment
  • All values for number of beneficiaries are rounded to the nearest 10. Rounding may cause a small difference between the total and the sum of the active beneficiary values
  • Gross benefit dollars (millions) 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 total and the sum of individual values
  • The column 'Gender diverse' represents beneficiaries whose gender is either non-binary or not disclosed
  • 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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