The Canadian staffing index, a measure of staffing activity in Canada, fell to a reading of 113 in November, a decrease of 3 percent year over year from a reading of 114 in November 2013.

“So far in 2014, we have observed a trend of modest year-over-year decline in the index,” said David Francis, research associate at Staffing Industry Analysts. “This trend continued in the month of November.”

 While the index declined by 3 percent and 10 percent on a year-over-year and sequential basis, respectively, November 2014 had one less working day than November of last year, and three less working days than October of this year, according to Francis.

“Thus, the decline in November may be more indicative of the fewer available workdays than of a decline in demand for staffing services,” Francis said.

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.