The Canadian Press

The number of people receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits in August fell 2.4%, or 19,100, from July, the second straight monthly decline.

Statistics Canada reports the number fell in nearly all provinces, with the most notable percentage declines in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, Saskatchewan and Manitoba.

There were 763,200 beneficiaries in August, up 52.5% from the recession’s start in October 2008.

The number of initial and renewal claims received in August increased 8.2%, or 22,500, to 298,300, following two months of declines.

The number of beneficiaries fell 8.7%, or 4,100, in Newfoundland and Labrador to 43,600, the province’s first drop since the start of the labour market downturn.

The number of regular EI beneficiaries fell in Ontario by 14,800, or 5.6%, to 247,400, the province’s second straight monthly decline.

In Saskatchewan, 13,000 people received regular EI benefits in August, down 730, or 5.3%, from July.

And Manitoba had its third straight monthly decrease, falling by 690, or 4.5%, to 14,500.

Quebec and New Brunswick were the only provinces with an increase in the number of beneficiaries in August.

In Quebec, 208,000 people received benefits in August, up 9,700, or 4.9%, following a decline in July. The number of beneficiaries in New Brunswick edged up 650 to 37,100 in August.