The Canadian staffing index rose 4% in January from December and was up 6% when compared with January of 2016. The index, which measures staffing activity in Canada, rose to a reading of 100 from a reading of 96 in December.

“The January index value was up 6% compared to the same month last year,” said Timothy Landhuis, research manager at Staffing Industry Analysts. “However, after adjusting for the fact that January this year had two more working days, the index reading suggests that overall volume of billed hours was down slightly year over year on a comparable-days basis.”

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