TORONTO, May 6 (Reuters) - Canadian economic activity

expanded in April at the fastest pace in seven months as

measures of employment and prices accelerated, Ivey Purchasing

Managers Index (PMI) data showed on Wednesday.

The seasonally adjusted index rose to 57.7 last month from

49.7 in March, marking its highest level since September.

The Ivey PMI measures the month to month variation in

economic activity as indicated by a panel of purchasing managers

from across Canada. A reading above 50 indicates an increase in

activity.

The gauge of employment rose to an adjusted 54.7 from 51.1

in March, while the prices index was at 76.6, up from 75.7.

The unadjusted PMI rose to 61.5 from 56.5.