Employment Insurance Claims in Canada Rise by 3.4% in June, Sales and Service Workers Most Affected

Employment Insurance Claims Climb Again in Canada, Led by Quebec and Ontario

Canada saw a noticeable increase in the number of individuals receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits in June 2025. According to new data from Statistics Canada, the number of beneficiaries grew by 18,000 — or 3.4% — from May, bringing the total to 541,000.

On a year-over-year basis, the number of EI recipients surged by 62,000, reflecting a 12.8% rise since June 2024. During the same period, the national unemployment rate also climbed half a percentage point to 6.9%.

Upward Trend in the First Half of 2025

The number of EI beneficiaries has steadily increased throughout the first half of 2025, rising by 54,000 since January — an overall growth of 11%.

Among the demographic groups most affected were:

• Men aged 25 to 54, with an additional 7,100 beneficiaries (a 3.5% rise).

• Women aged 55 and older, who saw an increase of 6,500 recipients (a 12.2% jump).

Job Sectors and Provinces Hit Hardest

Workers previously employed in sales and service occupations were among the most significantly impacted. This category saw an increase of 4,800 claimants in June — up 5.4% — and marked the fifth straight monthly rise for this sector.

In terms of geography, Quebec and Ontario accounted for the bulk of the national increase:

• Quebec: 7,300 more recipients (up 6.1%)

• Ontario: 7,900 more recipients (up 4.5%)

Together, these two provinces made up over 84% of the total national increase in June.