Nanaimo Employment Stats - What Do They Mean?

Fewer EI Recipients In Sept. In Nanaimo

Stats Canada released statistics which indicate there are about 100 fewer people in Nanaimo receiving unemployment insurance benefits than the same time last year.

An interesting statistic to put that beside is whether or not there has been a corresponding increase in the number of people now relying on social assistance from the province as their EI benefits simply ran out.

Those in the 'half-full' crowd would point to how it means the Nanaimo economy has turned a corner and a more vibrant economy is employing more people. That would seem contradicted by the increase demand at the food banks however.

I can't prove it statistically but I don't get the feeling many Nanaimo residents feel they have a whole lot of discretionary spending options at the present time. The only working segments of our economy who may not be feeling the pinch are those fortunate enough to be employed in the public sector these days. Economic reality seems suspended in that sector.