The number of people claiming Employment Insurance (EI) benefits in Canada during March this year declined by three per cent.

According to data from Statistics Canada, claimant figures have contracted for six months in a row, with every province witnessing a drop in joblessness.

The total number of people regularly receiving EI benefits fell by 18,600 over the month, with sharp drops recorded in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba.

Fast rates of decline occurred among men aged between 25 and 54 years old, as well as between women who are 24 and under.

Most large population centers saw year-on-year decreases in beneficiaries, with a total of 128 out of 143 such areas witnessing a fall back in the number of claims.

Canada's labor force survey for April 2011 demonstrated a 58,000 climb in employment over the month from March, with new jobs generated in fields including insurance, finance, leasing, business, real estate, building and other support services.

Posted by Fiona Summers

The number of people claiming Employment Insurance (EI) benefits in Canada during March this year declined by three per cent.

According to data from Statistics Canada, claimant figures have contracted for six months in a row, with every province witnessing a drop in joblessness.

The total number of people regularly receiving EI benefits fell by 18,600 over the month, with sharp drops recorded in British Columbia, Alberta, Ontario and Manitoba.

Fast rates of decline occurred among men aged between 25 and 54 years old, as well as between women who are 24 and under.

Most large population centers saw year-on-year decreases in beneficiaries, with a total of 128 out of 143 such areas witnessing a fall back in the number of claims.

Canada's labor force survey for April 2011 demonstrated a 58,000 climb in employment over the month from March, with new jobs generated in fields including insurance, finance, leasing, business, real estate, building and other support services.

Posted by Fiona Summers