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August 19, 2026EMPLOYMENT INSURANCE, JUNE 2026 Monthly (June vs May 2026, seasonally adjusted regular beneficiaries)
In June 2026 there were 21,750 Nova Scotians in receipt of regular employment insurance benefits (seasonally adjusted). Nova Scotia's seasonally adjusted regular employment insurance usage in June increased by 300 (+1.4%) from May
There were 541,960 Canadians in June in receipt of regular employment insurance benefits (seasonally adjusted). That represents a decrease of 2,300 (-0.42%) from May.
Employment insurance usage was up in four provinces in June, with the fastest growth reported in Nova Scotia. Prince Edward Island reported the sharpest decrease in employment insurance usage compared to May.
The number of employment insurance beneficiaries amounted to 3.8% of the labour force in Nova Scotia in June 2026. Nationally, the share of beneficiaries was 2.4% of the labour force. EI beneficiaries as a share of labour force was highest in Newfoundland and Labrador at 9.9% and lowest in British Columbia at 1.9%.
Year-over-year (June 2026 vs June 2025)
Compared to June 2025, Nova Scotia's employment insurance usage fell 4.8% (-1,090). National employment insurance usage decreased 1.6% (-8,570). Seven provinces reported declines, led by Newfoundland and Labrador. Only three provinces reported higher year-over-year employment insurance usage, with the fastest growth reported in British Columbia
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 June 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.
Increases in year-over-year employment insurance usage occurred only for males aged 55+. Declines were concentrated among femlaes, with the fastest decline occuring among those ages 15-24 (-17.9%).
Comparing unadjusted regular beneficiaries for June 2026 to June 2025, 9 of 18 Nova Scotia's counties reported lower employment insurance usage. The steepest decline (in percentage terms) was in Cape Breton (-19.7%), while the fastest increase was in Guysborough (+33.3%).
By occupation, employment insurance beneficiaries were more likely to be in technical trades/transportation, general trades, and manufacturing and utilities occupations in June 2026. The largest increase year-over-year was among technical trades/transportation, while the largest decline was for sales and service support.
Year-to-date (January-June 2026 vs January-June 2025)
In the first six months of 2026, Nova Scotia's regular employment insurance beneficiaries was down 3.7%, the fastest decline among provinces. Nationally, employment insurance usage was up 5.7% with increases in six provinces. The fastest increase was reported in British Columbia.
As a share of the labour force, year-to-date employment insurance usage was down the most for males 55+.
Across age and gender cohorts, employment insurance was down for both males and females. The steepest decline in employment insurance usage was among female youth.
In January-June 2026, the fastest increase in employment insurance was in Annapolis and the fastest decline was in Cape Breton.
By occupation, the largest increase was reported among occupations in education/law/social services/government, while the largest decline was reported among occupations in manufacturing/utilities occupations in January-June 2026.
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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