The rate of job vacancies in Canada rose to 3.1% in the second quarter, the Canadian Federation of Independent Business reported today. It was the highest rate since the group began tracking the number in 2004.

An estimated 397,400 jobs have sat vacant for at least four months.

“Although the national vacancy rate continues to climb, most of the increase is being driven by Quebec. Rates in [British Columbia] and Ontario remain high but have eased off a little from the previous quarter,” said Ted Mallett, chief economist at the federation. “The difficulty businesses in those provinces face in meeting their staffing needs is really the headwind of a strong and growing economy.”