Ottawa tells us there were fewer Canadians "on the pogey" when last checked.
Figures released Thursday by Statistics Canada show the number of Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance (EI) benefits dropped 34,000 (or 2.0%) in June to 1.7 million. Ontario, Quebec and Alberta accounted for all of the national monthly decrease.
June EI statistics reflect labour market conditions as of the week of June 13 to 19.
By mid-June, public health measures had been significantly eased in several jurisdictions. Most indoor and outdoor dining, recreation and cultural activities, retail shopping, and personal care services had resumed or continued in eight provinces, with varying degrees of capacity restrictions.
Ontario's stay-at-home order was lifted on June 2, and outdoor dining and some non-essential in-person shopping resumed on June 11. However, indoor dining and gyms, as well as personal care services, remained closed during the reference week. Manitoba remained under tight public health restrictions, including the closure of restaurants and bars, personal care services, and recreation and cultural facilities.
