TORONTO, April 8 - Canadian economic activity expanded

at a slower pace in March as employment declined and prices

heated up, Ivey Purchasing Managers Index (PMI) data showed on

Tuesday.

The seasonally adjusted index fell to 51.3 from 55.3 in

February. A reading above 50 indicates an increase in activity.

The Ivey PMI measures the month-to-month variation in

economic activity as indicated by a panel of purchasing managers

from across Canada.

The gauge of employment fell to an adjusted 48.2 from 53.7

in February, while the prices index was at 75.6, up from 71.5.

The unadjusted PMI rose to 55.6 from 53.6.