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May 21, 2015EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, MARCH 2015 In March 2015, the number (seasonally adjusted) of Nova Scotians receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits increased by 780 persons (2.8%) from the previous month to 28,360 and increased by 1,600 persons (6.0%) over March 2014.
In March 2015, the number (seasonally adjusted) of Canadians receiving regular EI benefits increased by 5,870 persons (1.1%) from the previous month to 517,940 and increased by 2,620 (0.5%) over March 2014.
The majority (64.1%) of regular EI recipients in Nova Scotia were in the 25 to 54 age group, 26.1% were in the 55 years and over age group, and 9.8% were in the 15 to 24 age group.
On a year-over-year basis. the number of beneficiaries in the 15 to 24 age group increased by 280 persons; the 25-54 age group increased by 720 persons, and the 55 and over group increased by 600 individuals.
In March 2015, the number of Nova Scotians receiving regular EI benefits increased in 17 counties compared to the same month a year ago. The decline in the number of EI recipients was recorded only in Queens (-30 persons).
In the two most populous counties, Halifax saw a month to month increase of 340 persons (5.7%) to 6,310 in March, and Cape Breton County saw a month-to-month increase of 340 persons (4.9%) to 7,230. On a year-over- year basis, Halifax saw an increase of 180 persons (+2.9%) and Cape Breton saw an increase of 920 (+14.6%) compared to March 2014.
Looking at Employment Insurance recipients in Nova Scotia according to their last occupation, there were double digit increases in construction trades (+23.0%), trades, transport and equipment operators (+17.2%), processing, manufacturing and utilities (+11.2%) in March 2015 from 12 months earlier. At the same time, there were fewer beneficiaries in a number of other occupations, mainly among those whose last job was in natural and applied science (-6.8%), management (-5.6%), social science, education and government services (-4.8%), and art, culture, recreation and sport (-4.3%).
Across the country, six provinces saw year-to-date increases in EI beneficiaries: Alberta (+15.2%), Saskatchewan (+7.3%), Nova Scotia (+2.1%), Quebec (+2.1%), Manitoba (+1.8%) and Prince Edward Island (+0.5%). Canada saw a 0.2 per cent decline in year to date figures.
Statistics Canada CANSIM 276-0022, 276-0035 (County level), and 276-0018.