The Canadian staffing index, a measure of staffing activity in Canada, remained at a reading of 108 in May. The May reading is the same as the April index value and down 6 percent from a year-ago reading of 115.

“So far in 2014, we have had five months with the index showing a single-digit decline compared with the prior year, which suggests a trend of modest contraction in overall volume of demand for temporary staffing in Canada,” said Timothy Landhuis, senior research analyst at Staffing Industry Analysts.

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.