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April 23, 2026EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, FEBRUARY 2026 Monthly (February 2026 vs January 2026, seasonally adjusted regular beneficiaries)
In February 2026, there were 21,720 Nova Scotians in receipt of regular employment insurance benefits (seasonally adjusted). Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted regular employment insurance usage decreased by 670 (-3.0%) from revised January results.
There were 542,110 Canadians that received regular employment insurance benefits in February 2026 (seasonally adjusted), a decrease of 8,730 (-1.6%) from the revised January 2026 value.
Employment insurance usage was down in seven provinces in February, with the fastest declines reported in Ontario and Nova Scotia. Saskatchewan reported the fastest increase in employment insurance usage compared to January.
The number of employment insurance beneficiaries amounted to 3.9% of the labour force in Nova Scotia in February 2026. Nationally, the share of beneficiaries was 2.4% of the labour force. Newfoundland and Labrador had the largest share of beneficiaries of the labour force, while British Columbia had the lowest.
Year-over-year (February 2026 vs February 2025)
Compared to February 2025, Nova Scotia's employment insurance usage fell 1.4% (-310). National employment insurance usage increased 8.1% (+40,620) compared to one year ago. Seven provinces reported higher employment insurance usage compared to one year ago, with the fastest growth reported in British Columbia and Alberta. The fastest decline was reported in Newfoundland and Labrador, followed by Nova Scotia.
Use of employment insurance (as a share of the labour force) was lowest for youth (15-24) and highest for workers age 55 and over. Male use of employment insurance was higher as a share of the labour force than female use of employment insurance for all age cohorts in February 2026. Compared to one year ago, employment insurance usage as a share of the labour force was down for all age-gender cohorts except females aged 55 and over.
The year-over-year declines in employment insurance usage was faster for females than males across age cohorts, with the exception of females aged 55 and over.
Comparing unadjusted regular beneficiaries for February 2026 to February 2025, thirteen of Nova Scotia's eighteen counties reported lower employment insurance usage. The fastest declines (in percentage terms) was in Shelburne, and the four counties on Cape Breton Island. The fastest increase was in Colchester county.
By occupation, employment insurance beneficiaries were more likely to be in technical trades/transportation, general trades, helpers/labourers/other transport operators, and manufacturing/utilities. The largest increase year-over-year was among education/law/community/government, while the largest decline was for natural resources.
Year-to-date (January-February 2026 vs January-February 2025)
In the first two months of 2026, Nova Scotia's regular employment insurance beneficiaries was up 0.2%. Nationally, employment insurance usage was up 10.3% with increases in all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador. The fastest increases were reported in Alberta and British Columbia.
As a share of the labour force, year-to-date employment insurance usage was down the most for males aged 55 and over.
Across age and gender cohorts, employment insurance was down for females, with declines among youth offsetting increases for those age 25-54 and 55 and over. Male employment insurance usage was up for core-aged and older workers, while it was unchanged for youth.
In January-February 2026, the fastest increases in employment insurance were in Colchester, Halifax and Digby counties. The fastest declines were in Guysborough, Antigonish, and the four counties on Cape Breton Island.
By occupation, the largest increase was reported among occupations in education/law/social services/government, while the largest decline was reported among occupations in arts/culture/recreation/sport.
Source: Statistics Canada. Table 14-10-0011-01 Employment insurance beneficiaries (regular benefits) by province and territory, monthly, seasonally adjusted; Table 14-10-0323-01 Employment insurance beneficiaries by census division, monthly, unadjusted for seasonality; Table 14-10-0456-01 Employment insurance beneficiaries (regular benefits) by province, territory and occupation, monthly, seasonally adjusted; Table 14-10-0287-01 Labour force characteristics, monthly, seasonally adjusted and trend-cycle, last 5 months
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