The Canadian staffing index, a measure of staffing activity in Canada, rose to a reading of 107 in March. The March reading is up 9 percent from the February index value of 98 and down 4 percent from a year-ago reading of 111.

“The March value of 107 is down 4 percent from a year ago, which suggests a continuing trend of modest decline on a year-over-year basis as we start 2014,” said Timothy Landhuis, senior research analyst at Staffing Industry Analysts. “This represents a slight worsening from the trend throughout 2013, when the index showed a trend of very minimal year-over-year growth in billed hours.”

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