The Canadian staffing index, a measure of staffing activity in Canada, slipped to a reading of 110 in June, a 4 percent drop from the May index value of 115, its fourth-highest reading on record. However, the June index value increased 1 percent year over year from a reading of 109 in June 2012.

“The June value of 110 is up 1 percent from a year ago, which represents modest expansion in demand given that there was one less working day this June compared to a year ago,” said Timothy Landhuis, research analyst at Staffing Industry Analysts. “The index continues to show a trend of modest year-over-year growth, with growth clearly slower than the double digit expansion seen during much of 2012.”

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.