Key Takeaways
- A staffing agency gives candidates access to unadvertised positions and personalized support, at no cost to them.
- For companies, it reduces the risk of a hiring mistake through sector-specific expertise and a fee model based solely on successful placement.
- In Quebec, staffing agencies must hold a permit issued by the CNESST and cannot offer a pay rate lower than that of the client company's employees.
- Quebec's job market remains tight (109,100 vacant positions in the first quarter of 2026), which makes access to passive candidates especially strategic.
The benefits of a staffing agency for candidates
For a candidate, a staffing agency opens access to positions that are never publicly posted, without ever charging a fee. This support goes well beyond simply connecting a candidate with an employer.
Access to positions that are never publicly posted
A significant share of hires are made without ever going through a published job posting. Staffing agencies approach high-performing professionals directly, people who aren't actively browsing job boards. This is especially true for specialized profiles in finance, IT, manufacturing engineering, or supply chain, where talent scarcity is greatest. You can browse our current job openings to see the types of positions accessible through this channel.
Personalized support, at no cost to the candidate
A specialized consultant helps the candidate with resume review, interview preparation, and salary advice, all at no charge. This isn't just a business policy, either: Quebec regulations prohibit staffing agencies from charging fees related to a worker's placement, training, or hiring assistance.
Transparency on market salary conditions
Consultants at a specialized agency know the actual salary ranges in their sector, often more accurate than what a candidate could find on their own. This information helps the candidate negotiate their job offer based on concrete data rather than rough estimates.
The benefits of a staffing agency for companies
For a company, a staffing agency reduces the risk of a hiring mistake and provides access to a pool of talent that's largely invisible from an internal standpoint, whether for a permanent position, a temporary assignment, or interim management support. These benefits rest on three concrete levers.
A reduced risk of hiring mistakes
A bad hire is costly: according to data reported by the Ordre des CRHA, the real cost of a departure typically represents between 15% and 30% of annual salary once hiring, onboarding, and the temporary loss of productivity are factored in, a figure that can climb to 30-50% for certain less specialized positions. A specialized consultant, who evaluates candidates against precise sector-specific criteria, limits this risk starting at the pre-screening stage.
Sector expertise rather than a generalist approach
About 70% of qualified professionals are passive job seekers, open to an opportunity without actively looking for one, according to LinkedIn Talent Solutions. Hiring conducted solely in-house, limited to candidates active on job boards, misses out on this majority of talent. This is one of the main reasons to hand hiring over to a recruitment firm rather than relying on a posted ad alone.
A Fee model based on successful placement
At Fed Group, no fee is charged until the position is filled. Fees, typically between 15% and 25% of annual salary for permanent placements, are only due once the hire is confirmed. This model directly aligns the agency's interests with those of the client company.
The legal framework for staffing agencies in Quebec
In Quebec, personnel staffing agencies are governed by a specific regulation, in effect since January 1, 2020, that protects both placed workers and client companies.
The mandatory permit issued by the CNESST
Any company offering personnel staffing services must hold a valid permit issued by the CNESST, backed by a $15,000 security deposit. The list of licensed agencies appears in a public registry, and client companies would be wise to verify this status before signing an agreement.
The guarantee of equivalent pay for placed workers
A staffing agency cannot offer a worker a lower hourly rate than the one paid to the client company's employees who perform the same tasks at the same establishment, based solely on their employment status. This kind of pay disparity is prohibited under the Act Respecting Labour Standards, which concretely protects agency workers from being underpaid because of their status.
Finding the right recruitment partner
Whether you're looking for a new opportunity or a hard-to-find talent, a specialized staffing agency changes the game on two fronts: access to a network invisible through traditional channels, and structured support all the way through to hire. In Quebec, this role operates within a precise legal framework, overseen by the CNESST, that protects both placed workers and client companies.
Currently hiring for a strategic or hard-to-fill position? The Fed Group team can assess your next hiring mandate with you, sector by sector.
