The Canadian staffing index fell in January, continuing a trend of moderate year-over-year declines. The index, which measures staffing activity in Canada, fell to a reading of 96 in January, down from a reading of 98 in January 2015.

The index value of 100 corresponds to the size of the industry in July 2008, when the index began. 

“Throughout 2015 we observed a trend of moderate year-over-year declines in the Canadian Staffing Index,” said David Francis, research analyst at Staffing Industry Analysts. “This trend continued in 2016 in the month of January. We note, however, that there was one less working day in January of 2016 compared to the same period last year. This suggests that the decline in the index seen in January may have more to do with the fewer number of working days than with changes in the level of demand for staffing services.”

The Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services and Staffing Industry Analysts produce the index. It is based upon reported billed hours for temporary staffing from a survey of leading staffing firms.