The Canadian staffing index rose 11% in March from February, the Association of Canadian Search, Employment and Staffing Services reported Thursday. The March index reading is up 15.5% over its February 2009 reading.

"Although some of the increase over February numbers reflects a seasonal correction, the recovery that seemed to have stalled in December is now gaining momentum," ACSESS National President Steve Jones said. "We predict that April results will display another notable increase."

Separately, Statistics Canada reported today that real gross domestic product in Canada increased 0.3% in February with much of the strength coming from manufacturing. Canadian real GDP had grown 0.6% in January.