The number of people receiving regular employment insurance benefits in Victoria dropped significantly in June, mirroring declines around the province and the country.
EI recipients in Greater Victoria dropped 17.5 per cent to 2,400 in June. In 91原创, it decreased 16.6 per cent to 20,500.
Large declines were also seen in Penticton, Squamish, Vernon, Williams Lake, Kamloops, Quesnel and Kelowna as 20 of 25 centres posted declines over the last 12 months. There were increases in four B.C. centres and no change in another, according to figures released Thursday by Statistics Canada. Overall, the province has seen a 13 per cent decline in the number of people receiving benefits over the last year.
Across the country Statistics Canada reports 507,600 people were receiving EI benefits in June, down from 512,100 in May.
The number of beneficiaries fell in Nova Scotia, but was up in Ontario and Prince Edward Island.
The number of initial and renewal claims rose 3.4 per cent to 231,600 in June, with more claims in New Brunswick, Alberta, Quebec and Manitoba, but fewer claims in P.E.I. while other provinces were little changed.
The agency reports that between June 2011 and June 2012 the number of people receiving regular EI benefits fell by 62,900 - a 13.1 per cent drop.
The number of people receiving regular EI benefits fell in 123 of 143 large centres, increased in 16 others. -
