People receiving Employment Insurance numbered 680,140 in May, up by 8,590, or 1.3%, from April, according to seasonally adjusted numbers from Statistics Canada.

Ontario posted the largest gain in people receiving Employment insurance -- rising by 8,150 in May to 220,940.

The number of initial and renewal Employment Insurance claims rose by 2,100 in May to a total of 231,900.

Employment Insurance provides financial assistance for unemployed workers.