The number of people receiving Canadian Employment Insurance jobless benefits fell by 47,700, or 6.4%, in January to 698,780 -- the fourth month in a row of decline, Statistics Canada reported today. However, the number is still up 19.8% compared with January 2009.

In Ontario, the number of people receiving Employment Insurance fell by 22,020, or 8.8%, to 227,440 in January.

The number initial and renewal Employment Insurance claims in January fell by 20,230, or 7.8%, to 239,080.

Employment Insurance provides financial assistance for unemployed workers.