Canadian jobless claims rise again

The number of new and renewed jobless claims in Canada rose 4.4 percent to 255,600 in August, Statistics Canada reported Thursday. The agency said on a monthly basis, the total number of people receiving regular federal Employment Insurance benefits rose 6.6 percent, or 35,200 claimants, to 568,600 after 10 month-over-month declines. By province, the largest jump in new jobless claims was in Quebec, which was up 23.6 percent over July, followed by a 19.8 percent increase in Newfoundland/Labrador, the report said. As for regular, ongoing benefits, all 10 provinces reported increases. Manitoba reported a 14.1 percent gain, followed by Ontario, where the number of beneficiaries was up 8.2 percent, StatsCan said.