The number of Canadian receiving regular Employment Insurance benefits rose in April, but it was the smallest increase is six months, Statistics Canada said Monday.

In April, 697,000 people received regular EI benefits, up 18,600 from a month earlier, or 2.7%, StatsCan said.

Alberta and Saskatchewan showed the fastest rate of increase in the number of regular beneficiaries in April.

While the number of people receiving benefits was up in April, initial and renewal claims received were down 1.7%, following a 2.1% decrease in March.

Since October 2008, the number of regular EI beneficiaries has risen by 39.3%, increasing in all provinces and territories, with the largest percentage growth in Alberta, British Columbia, Saskatchewan and Ontario, StatsCan said.

IE