More Canadians received regular Employment Insurance benefits in April over March, the third consecutive monthly gain, Statistics Canada said today.

The federal agency said adjusted for seasonality the estimated number of Canadians receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits in April increased 1.3% from March to 543,430.

“This was primarily due to increases in Ontario (+3.1%), British Columbia (+2.9%), Alberta (+2.3%) and Saskatchewan (+2.1%),” it said. “The rise in Quebec (+0.9%) was slightly lower than the national increase, while Manitoba, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador recorded declines.”

Also on a seasonally adjusted basis, regular benefit payments in April totaled $688.7 million, while the number of people making initial and renewal claims was 247,740, StatsCan said.