The Canadian staffing index, a measure of staffing activity in Canada, fell to a reading of 98 in February. The February reading is down 6 percent from the January index value of 104 and down 4 percent from a year-ago reading of 102.

“The February [decline] from a year ago … suggests some softness in demand as we start the year,” said Timothy Landhuis, senior research analyst at Staffing Industry Analysts. “Throughout 2013 the index displayed a trend of very minimal year-over-year growth in billed hours.”

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.