OTTAWA

The number of people in the Kitchener census metropolitan area receiving regular employment insurance benefits rose 13.4 per cent in June compared to a year earlier.

It was the second largest increase among urban areas in Canada, Statistics Canada said yesterday.

Oshawa, with a 32 per cent rise, had the largest year-over-year increase.

Regular employment insurance benefits are received by people who lose their jobs due to a layoff or shortage of work and are unable to find a job.

The agency said 4,150 people in the Kitchener census metropolitan area received regular benefits in June, up from 3,750 in June of 2007. The area includes all of Waterloo Region except for Wilmot and Wellesley townships.

Statistics Canada said 460,040 Canadians received regular employment insurance benefits in June, 0.5 per cent more than in May. Regular benefit payments totalled $732.5 million in June.

Compared with June 2007, the number of Canadians receiving regular benefits declined three per cent, with the same decrease posted for both men and women.

The number of regular beneficiaries fell in most cities compared with June 2007. The largest declines were in Windsor (41 per cent) and Saskatoon (30.4 per cent).