Canadian employers expect slow-but-steady gains in employment, according to the first-quarter Manpower Employment Outlook Survey, released by ManpowerGroup Inc. (NYSE: MAN). Canadian organizations plan to add staff across all 10 industry sectors in the first quarter.

The Canada survey found 14% of employers expect to increase staffing levels and 6% anticipate cutbacks. This results in a net employment outlook of 12% on a seasonally adjusted basis, which is down two percentage points when compared with the prior quarter but unchanged from this time one year ago.

The strongest labor markets are anticipated by employers in the transportation and public utilities sector and the manufacturing — durables sector, with net employment outlooks of 21% and 20%, respectively.

All four regions in Canada report positive first-quarter hiring plans. Employers in Quebec expect the most favorable hiring climate for the coming quarter with a net employment outlook of 17%. Employers in Ontario and Western Canada anticipate an upbeat hiring pace, with outlooks of 12% and 11%, respectively. Atlantic Canada employers reported a more conservative hiring climate, with an outlook of 10%.

ManpowerGroup’s employment outlook survey data include responses from 1,930 employers in Canada.