Throughout the country, the number of people filing for Employment Insurance has escalated in the latter part of 2008. The data provided by Statistics Canada show that while claims constantly fell below the 600,000 mark since 2006, these skyrocketed to over 800,000 in early 2009. Toward the end of the year, the figure began to decline, with Quebec and British Columbia experiencing the biggest drop in unemployment insurance claims. However, the opposite happened in Alberta, as the figure continues to grow over three times its size, particularly in Calgary and Edmonton. This is attributed to massive job losses in the province in 2008, especially in the construction industry. At the peak of recession, workers in Alberta's large energy industry and even those in manufacturing, retail, and technical services all faced unemployment.

Financial assistance for the unemployed

Technically, unemployed Albertans can seek temporary financial assistance as they go on a job hunt or improve their skills level. The EI regular benefits are provided to workers who were displaced from their jobs because of work shortage, job redundancy, and layoffs resulting from budgetary constraints. The same benefits can also be extended to those who are willing and fit to work but are unable to find a job. This means that people who voluntarily resigned and those dismissed due to misconduct or poor performance are not entitled to unemployment insurance. To qualify, a person has to be unemployed for at least 7 consecutive days and must have worked for a specific number of insurable hours within the last 52 weeks or since the last claim was made.Incentives were recently made available for displaced workers who have contributed to the program or have limited claims: Extended Employment Insurance and Training Incentive, and Severance Investment for Training Initiative.

Over 62,000 jobs were lost in Alberta, propelling its unemployment rate to increase by 72% in 2009. The recent government budget cut may raise the percentage even higher. The Employment Insurance was a serious concern of Alberta unions. According to Alberta Federation of Labour (AFL) President Gil McGowan, with 93,500 people in Alberta without jobs, only 31% was eligible for Employment Insurance benefits.

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