The Canadian staffing index, which measures staffing activity in Canada, rose 6% in December on a year-over-year basis to a reading of 102. The increase came despite last month having 5% fewer working days than December 2016.

“December was a solid month for volume growth year over year, taking account the decrease in working days,” said Maxim Kupfer, research analyst at Staffing Industry Analysts. “This past December had only 19 working days, an unusually small number for December.”

On a month-over-month basis, the index fell 17% in December.

Staffing Industry Analysts produces the index on behalf of the Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services.