Fourth Annual Employment Insurance Monitoring and Assessment Report

5 February 2001 - The 2000 Employment Insurance Monitoring and Assessment Report indicates that Canada's job market performed well between April 1999 and March 2000. 400,000 new jobs were created in this period with growth occurring across the board in almost all industrial sectors. Growth resulted mostly in full-time positions and all age groups benefited.

The report shows that the strong economy resulted in fewer Canadians relying on Employment Insurance. As a consequence total new claims fell by 6.6% during 1999/00 in comparison to the previous year.

Youth employment showed a growth of 4.3%, with 87% of new jobs being full-time positions. The youth unemployment rate of 13% was the lowest since 1990. In general, men and older workers had better job prospects, mainly as a result of growth in construction and manufacturing. Women also continued to see strong gains with an unemployment rate of 6.7% - the lowest since 1976. Again, most new positions created for women were also in full-time.

The report concludes that most elements of the program are operating as intended. and that the program is accessible to workers who have paid into the insurance program and find themselves temporarily out of work.