According to the latest data, nearly 474,000 people are receiving regular employment insurance in Canada - an increase of 10 percent compared to the same period last year.

A new report from Statistics Canada states that the number of people receiving work insurance has risen for the second consecutive month, increasing by about 6,000 people. The report, which includes figures up to June 2024, also indicates that 519,000 people are unemployed in case of layoffs.

The report noted that men aged between 25 and 54 saw a particularly significant month-to-month increase, with an additional 3,800 men receiving benefits, representing a 2.1% increase for this group.

Women aged 55 and older also experienced a significant increase of 1,300 beneficiaries, or 2.7 percent.

Across the provinces

Over the past year, Ontario has seen the largest increase in the number of people receiving unemployment insurance benefits. The number of beneficiaries in the province rose by 30,000 people in June 2024 compared to 2023, with a total increase of 25 percent.

Only Newfoundland and Labrador, New Brunswick, and Nunavut had fewer beneficiaries in June compared to last year.

The overall unemployment rate in Canada has steadily increased over the past year, rising by a full percentage point from 5.4 percent in June 2023 to 6.4 percent in June 2024.