54,410 people in BC received Employment Insurance benefits according to Stats Canada.

That’s an increase of 470 residents from August.

The province was one of several to see a jump in September according to Analyst, Gordon Song.

“Other provinces include Saskatchewan which had an increase of 10% followed by Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Ontario and Manitoba.”

35,520 of the provinces beneficiaries are in the 25-54 age group.

Song adds the number of provincial EI claims took a sharp nose dive in September due to some rule changes in July.

“Claims are down 1,660 which is a decrease of 5.8%, that equates to 26,860. There was a policy change in the summer which resulted in a spike for the number of claims.”