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.

(Reporting ​by Fergal Smith; Editing ​by Chizu Nomiyama)