OTTAWA - The number of people receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits increased by 6.6 per cent to 568,600 in August.
Statistics Canada reports the number of beneficiaries rose in every province, with the largest percentage increases occurring in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and Saskatchewan.
The number of initial and renewal claims rose for the second straight month, up 4.4 per cent to 255,600 in August.
The largest percentage increases in claims occurred in Quebec (up 23.6 per cent) and Newfoundland and Labrador (up 19.8).
The number of claims fell 6.5 per cent in Ontario and 4.2 in Alberta.
The number of regular beneficiaries was up in all provinces, with the largest percentage increase in Manitoba (up 14.1 per cent).
There were also marked increases in the number of beneficiaries in Ontario (up 8.2 per cent) and Quebec (up 6.4).
StatsCan says the increases in Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Alberta follow a period of continuous decline that began nearly a year ago.
