March Jobs Numbers Remain Steady: Slight Upward Trend Encouraging

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - April 10, 2015) - Bob Funk, CEO of the second largest privately held staffing company in North America, today issued the following statement in response to the latest Statistic Canada Labour Force Survey, which indicated a small increase in employment numbers in March, largely due to gains in part-time work.

Employment in Canada increased by 29,000 jobs in March. The unemployment rate was unchanged at 6.8 per cent.

During the first quarter, employment gains totaled 63,000 (+0.4 per cent), which Statistic Canada indicates is the result of more part-time work.

"The numbers tell us the labour market remains steady in Canada, which is a good thing. But while first quarter results show a very slight increase, the rise in part-time work should be a caution. The ideal situation is more full-time jobs for Canadians," said Bob Funk, CEO and Chairman of the Board for Express.

"We need to keep an eye on finding ways to put people into the full-time jobs they need," Funk said.

If you would like to arrange for an interview with Bob Funk, please contact Kellie Major at (613) 222-7488.

About Robert A. Funk

Robert A. "Bob" Funk is chairman and chief executive officer of Express Employment Professionals. Headquartered in Oklahoma City, the international staffing company has 725 franchises in Canada, the U.S. and South Africa. Under his leadership, Express has put more than five million people to work worldwide. Funk served as the Chairman of the Federal Reserve Bank of Kansas City and was also the Chairman of the Conference of Chairmen of the Federal Reserve.

About Express Employment Professionals and Express in Canada

Express Employment Professionals puts people to work. It generated more than $2.85 billion in sales and employed more than 450,000 people in 2014. Express ranks as the largest franchised staffing company in the United States and the second largest privately held staffing company in North America. Its long-term goal is to put a million people to work annually. Express launched in Canada in July 1996, with a franchise in London, Ontario, and since then, has expanded and grown across Canada significantly. There are currently 34 Express franchises in Canada - five in British Columbia, six in Alberta, 2 in Saskatchewan, 22 in Ontario and one in Nova Scotia.