Canadian employment services revenue rose 13.6 percent in 2011 to $10.6 billion, Statistics Canada reported today. The increase followed an 8.6 percent rise in 2010 and an 8.0 percent decline in 2009.

The employment services industry consists of establishments primarily engaged in the permanent placement, executive search, contract staffing, temporary staffing and co-employment staffing services.

Revenue rose in every province. In 2011, three provinces accounted for more than 90 percent of overall revenue: Ontario (54.5 percent), Alberta (23.4 percent) and Quebec (12.7 percent).

Within that group, Alberta posted the largest year-over-year increase, at 23.2 percent, followed by Ontario (12.2 percent) and Quebec (10.6 percent).

Meanwhile, reported operating expenses rose 12.7 percent to $10.2 billion in 2011. Salaries, wages and employee benefits, the largest expense item, were up 12.8 percent.

The industry's profit margin increased 4.0 percent from 3.2 percent in 2011.