The latest numbers on jobless benefits paint a brutal picture for oil-shocked Alberta.

Indeed, Statistics Canada said today, these numbers for benefits under Canada’s Employment Insurance program are running up at the ugliest pace since the recession.

And it’s going to get worse, observers warn.

The number of people receiving regular benefits surged by 15.6 per cent in February from a month earlier, reaching 36,000 and marking the worst showing in the country, the federal statistics agency said.

February’s data marked the fourth month in a row of increases, and the biggest since May 2009.

That overall number includes the fast-pace increases of 12.3 per cent in Edmonton and 11.8 per cent in Calgary, the heart of the country’s oil industry.

Nationally, the number of people getting EI benefits climbed by 2 per cent. It’s worth noting that Statistics Canada says changes can reflect a number of scenarios, including jobless workers joining the program, others returning to work, and some who have exhausted their benefits.

The rise in the number of claims in Alberta was shocking, up 29.4 per cent in February. Those are people who could receive benefits.

Worse, it was the second consecutive month of a rise of more than 20 per cent, and the biggest since February 2009.

Nationally, claims rose 6.7 per cent from January.

Canadian energy companies have been laying off workers and slashing their budgets, while governments, too, cut back.

And Alberta’s jobless rate has spiked.

Senior economist Robert Kavcic expects the jobs market will continue to weaken, likely at least for a couple of more months.

“The layoff announcements are still coming, and we’re not expecting a meaningful rebound in oil prices until early next year,” he said.

Commodity-sensitive Saskatchewan also saw an increase, its 4.9-per-cent rise in beneficiaries, to, 11,600, second to Alberta’s. Claims rose by 3.9 per cent, though that trailed several other provinces.

DB settles investigation

Deutsche Bank is settling a rate-rigging probe with a record penalty.

The global banking giant has settled with regulators in the United States and Britain to pay $2.5-billion (U.S.) and settle allegations of manipulation a key interest rate known as the London interbank offered rate, or Libor.

It will also plead guilty to charges in the United States.

Deutsche Bank said today it expects to report litigation costs of some €1.5-billion, or about $1.6-billion, in its first quarter.

“Despite these costs Deutsche Bank will be profitable in the first quarter and will report near record revenues,” it said.

That statement was more upbeat than the one from the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission, one of the regulators involved, which hit Deutsche Bank for $800-million, the fattest in its history.

“As reflected in the CFTC’s findings and the $800-million penalty imposed, Deutsche Bank’s culture allowed such egregious and pervasive misconduct to thrive,” the regulator said.

“We will be relentless in continuing to investigate and bring benchmark manipulation cases until such time as those involved in setting these benchmarks get the message that manipulation will not be tolerated, and the public can be confident in the integrity of these benchmarks.”

More earnings flood in

It's another big day for corporate earnings, with tech heavyweights Google Inc. and Microsoft Corp. reporting after markets close.

Here's what we've seen today before markets closed:

Canadian tourist ads we'd love to see