Alberta’s labour market has seen dramatic improvements over the past 12 months. As a result, increasingly fewer Albertans are receiving employment insurance benefits these days.

A total of 29,900 Albertans received EI benefits in September, the first time that number has dipped below the 30,000 mark since the recession. In September the number of regular beneficiaries fell by 2,370, the 12th consecutive monthly drop. Furthermore, compared to a year ago the number of beneficiaries is down 37.7%—the largest decline among all the provinces.

Statistics Canada noted in this morning’s press release that all 12 of the municipalities tracked in Alberta had fewer EI beneficiaries than 12 months ago and declines were largest in Grande Prairie, Medicine Hat, Lethbridge and Red Deer. As of September, 7,400 Calgarians and 7,200 Edmontonians received EI benefits.

Considering Alberta has continued to add jobs recently, the number of people forced to file for EI in this province should continue on its downward trend. However, with the global economy remaining in a period of great uncertainty and the potential that, after an amazing run, job growth will cool down, the trend in EI recipients should start to flatten out.*

*Courtesy of Dan Sumner, Economist, ATB Financial