Employment insurance beneficiaries drop in Saskatchewan for July

The number of people receiving regular employment insurance (EI) benefits in Saskatchewan dropped in July.

Statistics Canada reported Thursday that 18,100 people in the province were receiving EI during the month, a drop of 2.9 per cent from the 18,700 who were receiving benefits in June.

READ MORE: Number of Saskatchewan EI beneficiaries declines in June

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Saskatchewan was the only province to have a decrease in beneficiaries during July.

The agency said the decline was primarily in Saskatoon, which was down 9.7 per cent, and in rural areas.

The exception was Regina, where the number of EI beneficiaries increased by 6.1 per cent.

Officials said changes in the number of people receiving benefits reflect a number of circumstances, including people going back to work and those no longer receiving benefits.

READ MORE: Unemployment rate dips in Saskatchewan during August

The number of people in Saskatchewan filing initial or renewal EI claims increased in July.

Statistics Canada said there were 7,340 initial and renewal claims made in the province, up 2.8 per cent from June, when there were 7,140.